Marianne's Response

Can fungicide cause liver damage?

My roses bloom but leaves fall off and they are yellow with black spot. They are really coming back nicely and I want to make sure that I control black spot before it happens. I’m told that the sprays that are used, if you are not protected, can cause an enlarged liver. How can I fully protect myself when spraying foliage for black spot? I know that it gets on your clothes. Do you have any tips?

Posted by Ruth McCormick on March 21, 2015

Marianne's Response

Wow, I have never heard about the enlarged liver from using a spray that controls Black Spot. My best tip is to read and follow the instructions exactly and do not get overly excited by such dire warnings about fungicides. Professional gardeners will simply remove their clothing and put it right into the washing machine after spraying so that they can start with clean clothing the next day. Good air circulation and full sun also cut down on black spot fungi. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti