Herbicide Imprelis banned in Indiana

The Office of Indiana State Chemist has banned the sale and distribution of the herbicide Imprelis (active ingredient: aminocyclopyrachlor).

The state investigated hundreds of complaints that the DuPont herbicide was responsible for damage to trees and ornamental plants.

Lawn care companies and herbicide users must return the product to DuPont for disposal. The company was ordered by the EPA to stop selling and distributing the herbicide nationwide.

Logansport, IN law firm Starr Austen & Miller filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of two Indiana golf courses and a Pennsylviani resident who claimed Imprelis killed trees and plants.

Attorney Mario Massillamany says the suit seeks the cost of removing the dead or dying trees and to have soil treated since their experts say the residue is still in the soil.

DuPont spokesperson Kate Childress says the company voluntarily stopped the sale of Imprelis and initiated a product return program. She says company officials were also in contact with the State of Indiana Chemist before the product was banned in the state.

Massillamany says there are currently 24 class action lawsuits concerning the herbicide. A hearing will be held later this month to determine where the suit will be heard.

Massillamany says they filed suit in Delaware, where DuPont is located. He says they want it there to allow one judge to rule on all motions, and it would also prevent multiple rulings.