Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ive just got some chelated iron in and I think that I might have made a mistake

Its called - Grow More "Organic Based" Iron Chelate concentrate 10%.

Its got a lovely warning on the side that states the following:

This product contains chemicals known in the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Ive seen this warning on fishing gear that contains lead.

One simple question when applied to aquaponic gardening... Is this Okay?

The warning above tells me no, but im not exactly sure if it is indeed lead.


So do I use it or send it back?

Thanks in advance

Sudo

Just because it contains a warning the same as you've seen on sinkers, doesn't mean it has lead in it... You really need to look at the contents.. Might just be a butt covering label, you have to put butt covering labels on almost everything in the US nowadays don't you.. "warning this coffee is hot.."

True EB, but at 10%?

seems very low, surely the stuff we normally buy here is 100% (?) or alot higher than 10% anyways.

I would do my study before using it, but be prepared to send it back.

The yates stuff we sell is only 12%... They use some sort of filler to bulk it out.

oh really, thats good to know. i think i might do a bit more research at some point.

damn these wasteful purchases with 90% filler.

the highest percentage iron chelate I have seen is 13%, what is this 100% you speak of??

The State of California has an analysis site that lets you look up what is in the product.

This is for the Grow More Organic iron chelate but you may have to put in Grow More and Iron Chelate in the first two blanks if it doesn't get you past the search screen (don't put in too much or you won't get the results you need, I tried it)

http://apps4.cdfa.ca.gov/fertilizerproducts/

Here is the site that takes you to one of three states - http://www.aapfco.org/metals.htm

Here is some additional information that may help you - http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/sfn/su10toxicmetals

I have and use the product you listed but I use it sparingly and only when I'm seeing a deficiency which at pH's below 7.6 is pretty rare for my system. Keep in mind that you have a recirculating system, this is a good reason to use any additives only when needed. As you look at other products you may see them listing something like <0.5ppm - what this means is that they could have anything from 0.49ppm down. What I'm trying to say is if you find a product and it doesn't show a level or says less than whatever level, don't assume there isn't any present (Seasol and Maxicrop Plus Iron come to mind).

Everything causes death in California. Live there long enough and you will die.

That "filler" is the chelator.

We are in a sad state here, there are so many warning labels that it is hard to gauge the actual risk level. Sawdust has carcinogens. Laser jet toner can be as bad as asbestos. How are to gauge the real actual risk. Every building we walk into here has a prop 65 warning. Almost all dinnerware had a prop 65 warning on it. I am worried that future generations will be desensitized beyond all reasonable understanding of what is truly toxic, and what has the remote possibility of causing cancer.