http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-17163.htm

Dan

If one does a Google search using the keywords "vinegar" and "organic gardening" one gets "About 35,900 results"

Dan

A quick scan to the conclusion reveals that:

"VIII. Conclusions

The Agency concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the U.S. population, including infants and children, from aggregate exposure to residues of acetic acid when used as an herbicide to control broadleaf weeds and grasses. Therefore, an exemption is established for residues of the biochemical acetic acid when used as a non selective, indirect contact herbicide spray for broadleaf weeds and weed grasses on all food crops."

This is a forum. A common definition of a forum goes something like this: a meeting or assembly for the open discussion of subjects of public interest".

I would expect (based on information such as my posted searches earlier in this thread) that whether vinegar is safe to use around food crops would be of interest to organic gardeners.

Nonetheless, it is reassuring to know that an ingredient in my pantry is safe for my family when degrading outside.

Dan

There are many possible points of interest in the EPA announcement. It is up to the forum participants to read the announcement and see if it has information that is relative to their interests. (A link on how to write a clear paper is not applicable to a post that notifies a forum that an EPA action has been taken.) Yes, reading of the EPA document is required for anyone to benefit from what the EPA has written. For example: some readers may be interested in knowing that acetic acid is registered as a herbicide; some may be interested in knowing how it works, and some may be interested in what the physical results of application are (and they may be interested in hearing this information from a government source instead of an industry (pro or con source).

"As a pesticide, acetic acid is registered for use as a non-selective contact herbicide for combating a wide range of weeds and some grasses. Upon contact with targeted weed and weed grasses, acetic acid destroys or damages the cell membrane of the plants which causes rapid dehydration of the plant tissues. This process is called ``burnout'' or ``burndown'' and can result in the death of the targeted
plant or injury sufficient to slow the growth and reproduction of the targeted plant."

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Scientific research is still being published concerning old and new organic acceptable herbicides, see link below for a recent (2009) example.

Apparently acetic acid fumes can be used to "clean" bees from mites ( but not as effectively as formic acid - the point here is that the vapour apparently did not harm the bees). ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18459386 ).

I found the following bee and vinegar related discussion interesting: http://www.beesource.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-200041.html