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Introduction
Each year, homeowners apply at least 90 million pounds of pesticides to their lawns and gardens. Home use of pesticides has risen steadily since 1998, and now represents the only growth sector of the U.S. pesticide market. Pesticides are also applied more intensively for lawn care, where children—more vulnerable than adults to the effects of pesticide exposure—live and play.
Of the 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are carcinogens, 13 linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 15 with neurotoxicity, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 27 are irritants, and 11 can disrupt the hormone system. Pregnant women, infants and children, the aged and the chronically ill are at greatest risk from pesticide exposure. Pets too are regularly poisoned.
A recent report by the Toxics Action Center on ChemLawn—the largest provider of lawn care services in the U.S. uncovered that over 40% of the chemicals of their consumer product range contain ingredients banned in other countries, and all of the products in their lineup not only pose a threat to human health, but to water supplies, aquatic organisms, and non-target insects.
How to get involved
Spread
the word around your community! A Safe Lawns Door-Hanger campaign was launched on the heels of a federal government report released
March 3, 2006, The Quality of Our Nation's Waters: Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001,
which found that pesticides linked to cancer, birth defects and
neurological disorders contaminate almost all of the nation's rivers
and streams and most fish.
The door-hanger is provided by the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns. The coalition writes: “It's not always easy to talk to people about pesticides. It can be especially awkward when the time you think of it most is right at the moment that your neighbor has a sprayer in his or her hand or a ChemLawn or Clark's truck in the driveway.
“The new Safe Lawn Door-Hanger helps concerned neighbors spread the word about lawn pesticides and alternatives with minimal confrontation. It can be used as an icebreaker for conversation or just hung on the the front door or other visible spot of the homes you know or suspect use pesticides. The information on the hanger leads them to helpful resources on safe lawn care from every region of the country.”
Resources
Public Service Announcement: Fall is the best time to start an organic lawn care program (mp3)
Public Service Announcement: Why organic? Why now? (mp3)
Beyond Pesticides Press Release: National Coalition Launches Neighborhood Hang-Tag Campaign for Safe Lawns
December 21, 2005 PANUPS: California Finds Lawn Chemical Dangerous to Health
April 15, 2005 PANUPS: Refuse to Use Lawn Chemicals
Fall 2002 Partners Update: Poisoned Lawns, Poisoned Pregnancy