herbicide
Meaning of herbicide: A herbicide is a chemical formulated to kill unwanted plants, and exposure to certain herbicides can also cause toxicity in humans.
Definition of herbicide
A herbicide is a chemical substance formulated to kill or control unwanted plants, most often used in agriculture, landscaping, and weed control. Herbicides vary widely in their chemical composition and in how selectively they act against particular types of plants.
In a medical context, herbicides are relevant primarily because of the possibility of human exposure, whether through occupational contact, accidental ingestion, or environmental contamination, which can produce a range of effects depending on the specific chemical, the amount involved, and the route of exposure. Some herbicides are associated with skin or eye irritation, while others carry the potential for more significant toxicity at higher exposures.
Evaluating a suspected herbicide exposure typically involves identifying the specific product and its active ingredients, since the appropriate assessment and any needed testing can differ substantially between herbicide chemical classes.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The patient was evaluated after reporting skin contact with a concentrated herbicide during yard work.
Good to know
The health effects of herbicide exposure depend heavily on the specific chemical involved, so identifying the product is an important step rather than treating all herbicides as producing the same risk.
Word origin
Where “herbicide” comes from
Formed from Latin herba, meaning "plant" or "grass," and -cide, from Latin caedere, meaning "to kill."