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Lawn care chemicals: how toxic are they?

The benefits of using lawn care chemicals are easy to see, but the effects they may have on your family’s health and the environment are less obvious.

By Greg Seaman Posted Jan 28, 2009

Why doesn’t my doctor diagnose pesticide poisoning?

Pesticide manufacturers are not required to release health information to the medical profession. Doctors are not knowledgeable about pesticide poisonings and often misdiagnose these symptoms as allergies, flu, or some other illness. Doctors often state that the symptoms are psychosomatic. They are also afraid of a large chemical company taking them to court over a pesticide poisoning diagnosis – taking a toll on their time and finances.

Are lawn chemicals safe when dry?

No. Many chemicals remain active from a month to over a year. During this time, they can release toxic vapors. Breathing these vapors, even from neighbors lawns or while playing on or mowing contaminated grass, can cause illness.

What are the symptoms of lawn care pesticide poisoning?

They are deceptively simple and similar to those of other illnesses. Pesticides attack the central nervous system and other vital body centers. Some symptoms include: sore nose, tongue, or throat, burning skin or ears, rash, excessive sweating or salivation, chest tightness, asthma-like attacks, coughing, muscle pain, seizures, headaches, eye pain, blurred or dim vision, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, tissue swelling, anxiety, suicidal depression, irritability, angry outbursts, disturbed sleep, learning disabilities, fatigue, dizziness, unexplained fever, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, stroke, death.

Even without apparent symptoms, exposure may still be harmful. Long term problems may include: lower male fertility, miscarriage, birth defects, chemical sensitivity, immune suppression, cataracts, liver and kidney dysfunction, heart disturbances, and cancer.

Is the government allowing unsafe chemicals on the market?

Yes. The EPA makes no claims to protect us from harmful pesticides. In fact, it is a violation of federal law to label any pesticides as “safe”, “harmless”, or “non-toxic to humans or pets”. The US Congress states, 90% of pesticides in current use lack health and safety tests required for registration, yet they continue to be sold and used. Of the most widely used products on lawns, most are lacking health and safety data required for registration.

Can lawn care chemicals contaminate my drinking water?

Yes. Pesticides and fertilizers can and do leach into private and public wells and water supplies. Unfortunately, there currently is no program to monitor our drinking water for this type of contamination. Many of the most widely use lawn care chemicals have been detected in ground water (e.g., 2,4-D, Sevin, Diazinon, and RoundUp).

Are there alternatives to toxic lawn care chemicals?

Yes. Natural landscape maintenance programs can achieve a healthy, pest-free landscape using the latest scientific developments in organic agriculture and horticulture. For example, corn gluten is a natural pre-emergent weed killer and fertilizer now available to home owners. Lawns can be enriched naturally by thin spreading of compost in the spring and fall. Also, natural lawn care practices will lead to a healthy vigorous lawn which resists pests and disease.

References:

Organic Landscape
National Coalition for Pesticide-free lawns
Environment and Human Health

Related articles:
  1. 6 reasons to avoid using “weed ‘n feed” on your lawn
  2. Pesticides & Kids – why you should be concerned
  3. Toxic chemicals found in a third of children’s toys: study
  4. 6 Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to Pesticides
  5. Pesticide exposure may increase risk of ADHD in children
  6. Outdoor Pesticides – are they worth the risk?

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Comments

Posted by albertwigs

Mar 17, 2010 5:17 am

Poisons are absorbed through the skin, by the mouth, or by breathing sprays, dusts, or vapours. You or your children can be poisoned if you apply or are present during application of the chemical.Initially lawn are not at all toxic but as soon as the chemical fertilizers increased to be proceed , the toxicity of the land increases which results into dampen land.I agree with one of the review that 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 13 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 15 with neurotoxicity, and 11 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system.

Organic Fertilizer

Posted by Greg Seaman

May 2, 2010 8:01 pm

Hi Tori,
References are provided at the end of page 2 of this article. Also here: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/3...

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