Most Chemicals in Everyday Products Have not Been Tested and the Same Applies to Synthetic Pesticides

 

I whole-heartedly endorse the Safe Chemicals Act mentioned in Ian Urbina's  April 13, 2013 New York Times article, THINK THOSE CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN TESTED. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/sunday-review/think-those-chemicals-have-been-tested.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0  But, I take issue with the presumption that pesticides are tested and safe for the marketplace.  If the synthetic pesticides are “safe”, why are they banned or regulated for “cosmetic” lawn care in most of Canada and Europe? Why do various states like New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey have laws regarding their use on school grounds, public parks and playing fields? Why are Harvard and the University of Colorado at Boulder and other colleges as well as various cities, school systems and finally, hospitals not using traditional chemical grounds care?! It can, indeed, be said that like with the majority of chemicals in use today, the same holds true of most pesticides—that they have never been tested independently as well as together! The American Academy of Pediatrics warns about pesticide use: 

Pesticides are a collective term for chemicals intended to kill unwanted insects, plants, molds, and rodents. Children encounter pesticides daily and have unique susceptibilities to their potential toxicity. Acute poisoning risks are clear, and understanding of chronic health implications from both acute and chronic exposure are emerging. Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems. Related animal toxicology studies provide supportive biological plausibility for these findings. Recognizing and reducing problematic exposures will require attention to current inadequacies in medical training, public health tracking, and regulatory action on pesticides. Ongoing research describing toxicologic vulnerabilities and exposure factors across the life span are needed to inform regulatory needs and appropriate interventions.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/6/e1757.full

Public health is at great risk and it is high time we put our heads together to regulate the chemical industry. We have rules for just about every aspect of our  lives and yet we have been permitting toxic pesticides, and chemicals in general, to be manufactured and used despite their huge cost to society. All of us, businesses included, will benefit from having safer alternatives in the marketplace.

 

Tried and True, Natural Lawn Care

As home owners, my husband and I always opted out of the use of lawn chemicals. We didn't know much about them and that, precisely, is the point. We instinctively felt that there were too many unknowns. A healthy lawn is the product of healthy soil. There is a symbiotic relationship between the lawn vegetation and the soil that supports it and that it supports.

Through the years, we found that less is best and keeping things simple actually works. Our lawns in general could easily look very presentable, at very low cost, with these few smart cultural practices:

1. Aeration, as needed and very necessary especially for the chemically compacted lawn. Rent an aerating machine or hire someone to do your lawn and get more savings by encouraging neighbors to join in. This is not expensive and it is a great way to improve soil health; and, it assists with over-seeding.

2. Over-seeding with a mix of local grasses and white clover. (Clover is evergreen and drought resistant. Having one grass seed type is not sustainable.) Picture a tree plantation where every tree is the same such as with a fast growing pine. What are the implications? Is it a healthy forest with healthy soil? Now, picture a healthy forest with a variety of trees; oaks, maples, pines, hemlock, birches; this is what you want for a good lawn. More good plant growth crowds out unwanted weeds. Early Fall is best time to seed but when starting out with a needy lawn, spring aeration, compost top-dressing and compost tea along with seeding will be helpful.

3. Mulch-mowing-- leaving the short (1/2 inch) grass clippings which in turn assist with water retention, and microbial and plant health while returning nitrogen to the soil. We use a Fiscar's Reel Push Mower that mulches our small yard.

4. Mowing Height-- Keep the Grass height at 3- 3 1/2 inches.

5. Composting with either or both organic compost topsoil or  organic compost tea (the tea is less expensive and more practical for larger areas). Make sure to get the compost from a reliable source!

6. Soil Testing  If you have a reliable and knowledgeable local organic lawn professional assisting in the beginning, he or she will want the soil test. We did not go with testing with any of our previously chemically treated lawns and we did fine with just these basic practices. Lime may be good at times, but it is very important to have the soil ph tested first. We have rarely used lime and have had good results. Note: Not all lime is equal and it is good to consult with an organic farmer's association for proper type for your area.

7. Leave some dandelions as they actually help with soil health; same with plantains ( a broadleaf). To keep the dandelion population down, dig out most but leave some and just clip off the yellow flowers before they go to seed! If your lawn is loaded with dandelions, the soil is telling you something and more work will be required.  Know that moss grows for a reason-- probably best to just let it be but if you must get rid of it, you can get the soil more bacterial and less fungal with the right type of organic compost top-dress and compost tea. Our source here in NH is reliable but buyer beware; know what you need and good advice may be found by speaking with someone who is NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmer's Association), certified. Of course, when living outside of New England, find someone in your area who is trained in organic lawn care.)

8. Apply Organic fertilizer such as soybean meal (after aeration and before applying organic compost top-dress or compost tea), in the spring and fall, especially when converting the lawn from years of chemicals.

Our current lawn has been off lawn chemicals for 8 years and it had only 1 1/2 seasons with compost and compost tea. It has had several years of aeration and over-seeding and two seasons with mulch-mowing. We have never applied any fertilizers on the lawn and are still very pleased that it looks better than most lawns. We rely on rain and snow melt for water because with good soil, there is good water retention and with a mix of local grasses that are properly mown, there are deeper plant roots. This spring, we will be mowing only since the lawn is working well on its own.

The link below from Toxics Action Center is quite good at explaining things in more depth. Plus, it contains facts for why we should not use weed and feed products for our lawn care. I found it interesting that they say that lawns rarely need lime.  Note: Save time and money by planting more trees, bushes, and rock gardens with herbs and flowers, not to mention vegetables for bees and other pollinators.
http://www.refusetousechemlawn.org/alternatives_to_pesticides

Even though these pesticides are proven to be hazardous to public health and the environment, USEPA’s pesticide regulatory system has put its stamp of approval on the use of these pesticides. Although a growing pool of research links exposure to the pesticides used by TruGreen ChemLawn to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches and chronic illnesses like lymphoma, leukemia, bladder cancer, and learning disabilities, the USEPA continues to register these pesticides for commercial and residential use.
http://www.refusetousechemlawn.org/report

Ditch Conventional, Unhealthy Chemical Shampoos and Conditioners!

Ditch your toxic, chemical- loaded conventional shampoos and conditioners for this basic and very safe formula that also happens to be very very low cost! Furthermore, this shampoo happens to be so good at what it does that a conditioner is no longer necessary unless perhaps you have ultra-chemically treated hair. Here it is and please, tell me what you think! We love the Basic Shampoo in this household and a little goes a long way! Note: you will notice immediate favorable results and the rest of your skin will be healthier, too.

Basic Shampoo (For most hair types):

1/4 Cup Filtered (Brita works well) Water
1/4 Cup Organic Unscented Liquid Castile Soap
1/2 Teaspoon Organic Canola Oil or other mild, light Vegetable Oil.

PLACE SHAMPOO MIX IN A SMALL BOTTLE AND SHAKE WELL BEFORE EACH USE

Dry Hair Shampoo:

6 oz Unscented Organic Castile Soap
1/2 tsp Avocado Oil
1 tsp Coconut Oil

Roundup, Killer of Weeds and Destroyer of Human Health

http://naturalsociety.com/monsantos-roundup-glyphosate-parkinsons-neurodegenerative/

Roundup sounds like a smart, efficient and safe product. It is made to kill "weeds" but it is being proven to kill more than those horrible plants in your garden and yard-- you know, the dandelions and plantains. Oh, and clover which some call a "weed" but really, all three are quite good for soil health. Agreed that crab grass is not lovely but it can be pulled by hand or crowded out by over-seeding with a mix of grasses and clover-- yes, there's that nasty word again. But, this isn't about clover; I write about the fact that exposures to Roundup are being connected with a terrible terrible disease-- Parkinson's-- far worse than any "weeds"! Please, read the above link. New research, published in the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology, indicates a connection between a component in Monsanto’s Roundup and Parkinson’s disease. Glyphosate is said to induce cell death, with frightening repercussions.

More on Endocrine Disruption and Pesticides From the author of Time to Learn From Frogs

This is for real; not science fiction-- certain chemicals in our every day lives, such as those found in our perfumed or fragranced home care and personal care products, and in pesticides used in chemical lawn care and agriculture are known Endocrine Disruptors. Everyone of all ages can be adversely affected. Men can have reproductive and other sexual problems. Children can be born with certain deformities of their genitalia; there can be problems with the nervous system and and and... . A widely used herbicide acts as a female hormone and feminizes male animals in the wild. Thus male frogs can have female organs, and some male fish actually produce eggs. In a Florida lake contaminated by these chemicals, male alligators have tiny penises.

These days there is also growing evidence linking this class of chemicals to problems in humans. These include breast cancer, infertility, low sperm counts, genital deformities, early menstruation and even diabetes and obesity.  But the scientists who know endocrine disruptors best overwhelmingly are already taking steps to protect their families. John Peterson Myers, chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences and a co-author of the new analysis, said that his family had stopped buying canned food.

“We don’t microwave in plastic,” he added. “We don’t use pesticides in our house. Click the link below to read Kristof's latest piece in the New York Times on the subject. Thank you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/opinion/kristof-how-chemicals-change-us.html?_r=1

Children At Risk From Pesticides, School Bans Debated

While pesticides are by nature designed to be poisonous, different chemicals seek different living targets. Humans, especially children, are particularly vulnerable to some commonly used products, including organophosphates, which belong to the same chemical family as sarin, a nerve gas classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

The most common herbicide Gilden found was Monsanto's controversial flagship weed-killer, Roundup, which is powerful enough to irritate the skin and respiratory system and provoke the kind of acute illness the Gorkins experienced. More seriously, chronic exposure to Roundup, among other pesticides, is associated with higher rates of birth defects, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder, as well as errors in DNA transcription, which can lead to a host of other dysfunctions, disease or even death. This article is from the Huffington Post which is an excellent resource for well-researched current issues. We have been enabling big business to grow and plunder; to destroy our basic, natural environment at great cost to human and environmental health. Time to say "no" to Weed and Feed products unless we know that they do not pose risk.

Middle School Students SufferToxic Symptoms From Momentum, a Lawn Chemical

How many more incidents like this will it take for parents and businesses (schools, hospitals...) to disallow the use of synthetic pesticides that unnecessarily expose our children to harm? Why do we trust these products that we know so little about? Do we know that the pest control companies understand their product and are exercising extreme caution during the applications?

On Keeping Ticks, Grubs, Slugs... Under Control W/O Chemicals

Here are some tips on how to attack the causes of your backyard pests -- without chemicals or gadgetry -- from Dill, Tukey and Gary Fish, manager of the Pesticide Programs for the Maine Board of Pesticides Control in Augusta.

Imprelis, A New Herbicide that Kills Trees, not just Weeds!

A "safer" herbicide supplement (in place of 2,4-D, a known toxic- to- humans weed killer), used in chemical lawn care, is the suspected culprit for the death of millions of dollars worth of lawn trees. This is a wake up call that we need to question exactly what we are trusting and purchasing for our lawn care. Fortunately, according to Consumer Reports, the manufacturer, Dupont, is suspending sales of this product...

Protect Fireflies-- They Eat Grubs and Slugs!

We all share an affinity for lightning bugs with their magical nocturnal light shows. Aside from their entertainment value, they help keep down pesky grub and slug populations. Sadly, firefly populations can be hampered by lawn chemicals... Raupp believes that any downturn in the population, which became noticeable in 2008, was the result of pressure on the lightning bug habitat. Too many concrete parking lots left less ground for the larvae to inhabit while they develop. Pesticides shrank the food supply of slugs, grubs and worms. And light — from streetlights, houses, parking lots and even baseball stadiums — confused the fireflies, who couldn’t “find” each other. In addition, pesticides on lawns would have crippled the female lightning bug populations, because that’s where they stay.