The Woodside, Calif., property began using Prograss twice a year to kill weeds that grew rapidly as a result of water cutbacks. An inspector found that the course applied the herbicide safely and in compliance with regulations, but neighbors complained about the smell, and the club is now seeking an alternative.
As a result of imposed water restrictions, Menlo Country Club in Woodside, Calif., began using an herbicide to control weeds, which it had to stop using due to odors that irritated neighbors, the NBC Bay Area reported.
After several complaints, the club stopped spraying an herbicide called Prograss. The course has used it twice a year for the last two years to kill weeds, which grew rapidly after water cutbacks. Menlo Country Club leaders say they do want to be good neighbors and have halted spraying until they can find an alternative, the NBC Bay Area reported.
San Mateo County also got involved by sending an inspector to the course, the NBC Bay Area reported.
“Given the size of the golf course and the amount of material being put down on a warm day like yesterday you’re going to get some odor issues,” San Mateo Co. Agricultural Commissioner Fred Crowder said, explaining there was no drift despite neighbors saying they smelled pesticides up to a mile away, the NBC Bay Area reported.
The inspector found the course to have applied the herbicide safety and is in compliance with state and federal regulations. Crowder said that while the chemical gives off an odor, it is more an irritant than a toxin, the NBC Bay Area reported.
“What happens is this product has a carrier in it, these hydrocarbons and they volatilize and you can’t smell them. And there isn’t a regulation concerning that,” Crowder said, explaining the golf course industry has moved towards water-based herbicides because of odor issues, the NBC Bay Area reported.
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