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Giant Hogweed Poses Local Health Threat |
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by Dan Veaner
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Friday, 17 July 2009 |
 First it was Swine Flu. Now it's Giant Hogweed. Hogweed can cause skin sensitivity, burning blisters, and blackened scars if you are exposed to its toxic, watery sap. Lansing Highway Superintendent Jack French reported to the Town Board Wednesday that hogweed has been sighted in Dryden.
"In our area it's new," French says. "They claim it's ten times worse than poison ivy or poison oak. It can actually be pretty deadly. It is starting to grow on both sides Niemi Road in the Town of Dryden. Sooner or later it's going to make its way to Lansing. It's on its way here."
Giant Hogweed is a member of the parsley family. It grows to a massive size, reaching 15 feet or more in some cases. It has hollow stems with dark red/purple spots and hairs growing out of them. It's big white flower is seen from May through July and produces oval fruits. The flower may grow as large as two and a half feet in diameter. Originally it was brought to this country from Asia as an ornamental plant. Hogweed loves moist soil and thrives near streams or roadside ditches.
The New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation both warn against coming into contact with Hogweed, warning that you should immediately see our doctor if exposed. The department of Health advises that sunscreen may help further reaction to exposed skin, and that a doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or aluminum acetate compresses.
"It is very, very poisonous," French warns. "There was an engineer in Chemung County that didn't realize what it was and got into it. Now he is permanently scarred on his face and hands. It's pretty dangerous stuff."
French says that Tompkins County officials have consulted with the DEC on ways to remove hogweed, but the prognoses is iffy. He says there is a spray that may be effective, but conventional methods like Roundup won' work. The DEC says it is an aggressive competitor
The State Health Department warns, "Do not mow, cut or weed whack the plant, as it will just send up new growth and put you at risk for being exposed to sap – the same kind of thing that would happen with poison ivy or sumac. Seek advice from professional plant control specialists about management options. If you must touch giant hogweed, wear disposable rubber gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and pants. If you get sap on your clothes or body, wash it off."
French took his employees and Lansing Code Enforcement officers to Niemi Road to see what the plant looks like so they will know what to avoid in the course of their work.
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