Vernolate is relatively non-toxic to birds. The oral LC50 of technical vernolate in the bobwhite quail is 12,000 ppm for a 7-day feed treatment. Vernolate is considered slightly toxic to fish. No information currently available. Vernolate is adsorbed into dry soil but it can be removed by leaching.
Microbial breakdown is the main mechanism by which vernolate is lost from soils.
Vernolate is readily lost from the soil by volitalization when the soil surface is wet at the time of application and the herbicide is not incorporated immediately. At recommended rates of application, vernolate does not persist in soil and it should not leave residues that could injure subsequently planted sensitive crops. Vernolate's mechanism of action is not known. Vernolate is taken up by roots of soybean and peanut plants and translocated throughout the stems and leaves.