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The intensive use of pesticides has increased exponentially in Brazil and worldwide due to the need to meet the food demands of a growing population. If the management/monitoring of the use of pesticides is adequately performed, it would not compromise the expected benefits or have negative effects on the environment as a whole. In order to examine the information available on herbicide use in Brazil and worldwide, this paper presents a review of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and its chemical properties, action on target organisms, environmental fate, and toxicity to non-target organisms. This herbicide is a synthetic auxin used to control broad-leaved weeds, and the action in target organisms is well known. Although 2,4-D has been widely used worldwide, many studies have shown that this herbicide induces alterations in non-target organisms. Therefore, ecotoxicology studies …