Backgrounder to the
National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns
is a Pesticide? “Though often misunderstood to refer only to insecticides,
the term pesticide also applies to herbicides, fungicides, and various
other substances used to control pests.” -U.S. Environmental Protection
|1. WHEREAS, millions of pounds of pesticides are applied
on lawns and landscapes each year by homeowners and landscape companies
and this use is continuing to rise; and
The latest figures
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show the use of
pesticides for the non-agricultural sector to be around 213 million
pounds. That is roughly twenty-five percent of all pesticide use in
the United States. Homeowners alone use at least
90 million pounds of pesticides per year on lawns and gardens. And the
trend is increasing. From 1998 to 2001, home usage of pesticides jumped
by 42 percent. These figures are underestimations since they only measure
the actual chemical, not the entire pesticide product formulation, which
typically includes more than one chemical. Suburban lawns and gardens
receive far heavier pesticide applications per acre than agricultural
areas. Homeowners apply between 3.2 to 9.8 lbs per
acre of pesticides on lawns. On average 2.7 lbs
per acre of pesticides are applied on agricultural land.
scientific studies associate exposure to lawn pesticides with asthma,
cancer, developmental and learning disabilities, nerve and immune
system damage, liver or kidney damage, reproductive impairment, birth
defects, and disruption of the endocrine system; and
Of 30 commonly used
pesticides identified by EPA and other sources, 13 are ‘probable’
or ‘possible’ carcinogens, which means either animal studies
or human epidemiological studies or both have associated exposure with
cancer. 14 are associated with birth defects, 18 with reproductive effects
such as reduced sperm counts or infertility, and 20 with liver or kidney
damage. 18 can cause neurotoxicity, which impairs the central and/or
peripheral nervous system and can affect a range of things from the
ability to learn to chronic fatigue. 11 are suspect, probable, or known
endocrine (hormonal) disruptors. Endocrine disruptors affect the development
and function of cells and tissues and are associated with neurological,
developmental and reproductive health problems in both humans and animals.
Extremely small doses can cause problems depending on the timing of
exposure such as during critical stages of fetal and newborn development,
puberty, adolescence and other growth stages. Almost all of the commonly
used pesticides, 28, are considered sensitizers and/or irritants, which
means exposure may cause inflammation on contact or cause a person or
animal to develop an allergic reaction to various chemicals, a condition
also known as chemical sensitivities.
In 1993, the National
Academy of Sciences determined exposure to toxic substances before or
after birth is one of several risk factors that appear to make certain
children vulnerable to one or more psychological disorders. Animal studies link pesticides to hyperactivity and developmental delays,
behavioral disorders and motor dysfunction. Studies
also show that mixtures of insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers
commonly used on lawns are capable of suppressing immune parameters,
changing hormone levels, and altering behavior patterns, particularly
in children. Links have also been drawn between miscarriages and exposure
to low levels of lawn chemicals. Asthma, the number
one chronic illness among children in the U.S., strikes 1 in 12 children
and 14.3 million adults. Pesticides are known triggers
for asthma. A recent peer-reviewed study found that a child exposed
to herbicides (weed killers) used on lawns within their first year of
life is nearly five times more likely to develop asthma by age five
than those not exposed.
infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with compromised
immune systems and chemical sensitivities are especially vulnerable
to pesticide effects and exposure; and
Children are more
susceptible to the effects of chemicals not just because they take in
more pesticides relative to their body weight than adults, but because
their developing organ systems are more vulnerable and less able to
detoxify toxic chemicals. Basic observation backed by EPA studies have
shown that children’s behavioral characteristics, such as playing
on floors, rolling on the ground and frequently putting their hands
and other objects in their mouths, add to their susceptibility over
can increase vulnerability to certain cancers by breaking down the immune
system's surveillance against cancer cells. Infants and children, the
aged and the chronically ill are at greatest risk from chemically induced
immune-suppression. The probability of an effect
such as cancer, which requires a period of time to develop after exposure,
is enhanced if exposure occurs early in life. According to EPA, children
receive 50 percent of their lifetime cancer risks in the first two years
of life. A study published in the Journal of the
National Cancer Institute found that pesticides used in the home and
garden increases the risk of childhood leukemia by seven-fold.
EPA studies have
confirmed that aging individuals are at heightened risk of chronic diseases
and disabling conditions that may be caused or exacerbated by pesticide
exposure. The elderly suffer disproportionately from the health effects
of certain pollutants like pesticides than other age groups. A study conducted by the National Research Council found that pregnant
women, infants, and children have a greater risk of getting sick from
According to a workshop
of the National Academy of Sciences, 15 percent of the population has
some type of allergic reaction, or sensitivity, to chemicals. A person
with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) is hypersensitive to an unknown
array of chemicals and will show symptoms from exposure levels usually
tolerated by the general population. Though not
well understood by the medical establishment, MCS is recognized by The
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Pesticides are among the major
classes of chemicals most frequently cited for causing MCS symptoms. People with compromised immune systems have proven especially vulnerable
to developing MCS following pesticide exposure. Common symptoms of MCS
include headaches, blurred vision, memory loss, mental confusion, chronic
fatigue, depression, intestinal problems, respiratory reactions, and
multiple organ system dysfunctions. People with
MCS can easily become incapacitated or hospitalized for days or weeks
as a result of a single exposure to a small amount of a chemical substance
such as that caused by pesticide drift. People with MCS are constantly
on the run from communities that regularly use pesticides – most
notably lawn care chemicals.
lawn pesticides are harmful to pets, wildlife including threatened
and endangered species, soil microbiology, plants, and natural ecosystems;
A recent 2004 study
found that certain types of dogs exposed to pesticide-treated lawns
and gardens increases their risk of bladder cancer by four to seven
times. The study adds to earlier research published
by the National Cancer Institute that found elevated rates of canine
malignant lymphoma in dogs exposed to lawn pesticides such as 2,4-D,
which is the most popular pesticide used by homeowners and the main
ingredient found in “weed and feed” products. The latest EPA assessment of 2,4-D acknowledges the susceptibility of
dogs to poisoning by 2,4-D and other similarly structured lawn pesticides
but does not propose any label warnings to users. Pets, especially dogs, are highly susceptible and attracted to slug
and snail baits containing a neurotoxicant, metaldehyde, that at very
small doses can cause tremors, seizure, and death.
Of 30 commonly used
pesticides used on lawns and landscapes, 16 are toxic to birds, 24 are
toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms, 11 are toxic to bees, and
11 have the potential to disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system in
wildlife and humans. Lawn and garden pesticides
are also deadly to beneficial insects and soil life vital to a naturally
healthy lawn. Most pesticides are broad spectrum,
meaning the chemical kills both “pests” and harmless or
beneficial species. For example, carbaryl, the sixth most widely used
pesticide in the home and garden sector, is highly toxic to honey bees
and especially dangerous because it can be carried back to the hive
and kill newly emerged worker bees.”  Other
studies show pesticides reduce earthworm populations and activity. Pesticides that run off lawns into local waterways can kill or contaminate
fish or other aquatic species that contribute to ecosystem health and
serve as food for other fish. Harmful effects can occur at concentrations
far below those that cause death or obvious signs of toxicity. For example,
salmon are extremely sensitive to certain types of lawn pesticides (such
as diazinon, carbaryl, and malathion) that can affect their ability
to feed and avoid predators.
toxic runoff from chemical fertilizers and pesticides pollute streams
and lakes and drinking water sources; and
Consumer and professional
landscape pesticide use both contribute to levels of pesticides found
in streams and other surface water. According
to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “Information now available
from the first phase of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
program shows that pesticides are widespread in streams and groundwater,
occurring in geographic and seasonal patterns that follow land use and
related pesticide use.” Results from the
NAWQA Program also indicate that several pesticide mixtures found in
urban area streams approach or exceed water quality criteria, especially
in streams that experience seasonal periods.” Studies by the USGS also show 2,4-D to be the herbicide most frequently
detected in streams and shallow ground water throughout the country
from home and garden use.
Each year, approximately
11,000 tons of inorganic nitrogen and 2,100 tons of total phosphorus
are transported by rivers and streams to Puget Sound and its adjacent
waters in the state of Washington. Nearly 1/3 of the nitrogen and 1/4
of the phosphorus come from fertilizers. Nutrient runoff is three times
higher from urban and agricultural lands than from forest land. Transport of fertilizers and pesticides in urban areas is greatly increased
by paved surfaces and storm drains.
the use of hazardous pesticides is not necessary to create and maintain
green lawns and landscapes given the availability of viable alternatives
practices and products; and
A rapidly growing
organic landscaping service industry demonstrates that there is demand
for pesticide-free services and that such services can provide customer
satisfaction. Accreditation and certification programs are emerging
across the United States and Canada to identify trained professionals
and assure quality services. Canada’s Organic Landscape Alliance,
a non-profit trade association committed to the development of organic
horticulture, reports a 30% increase in business by members in one year.
has a database of service providers that includes businesses that offer
organic care. The database is primarily a tool for residents to find
service providers in their state who have agreed to disclose what chemicals
they use. The database is available at www.safetysource.org.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) has an Organic Land
Care Program, a joint project of the Massachusetts and Connecticut chapters
that created a manual of organic landscape management standards as rigorous
as the standards created for the certification of organic food by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. The NOFA program also offers an accreditation
course on organic land care for landscape professionals. Washington’s Coalition of Organic Landscapers is growing rapidly, and three landscaping companies have earned King County EnviroStars
highest, five-star, rating.
people have a right not to be involuntarily exposed to pesticides
in the air, water or soil that inevitably result from chemical drift
and contaminated runoff; and
Pesticides can drift
thousands of miles in the air from the application area, into people’s
homes and bloodstreams, exposing them to pesticides without their knowledge
or consent. Alarming levels of pesticides are
found in the indoor air and dust of people’s homes. In a 2003
study, a majority of the homes sampled contained current, old and newly
banned pesticides in the dust, such as pentachlorophenol (86%), DDT
(65%), chlordane (53%), chlorpyrifos (18%). Many
of the pesticides found are suspected endocrine disruptors that mimic
cells and can lead to several cancers and other problems. In a study
of pesticides and their metabolites in urine, the Centers for Disease
Control found that children ages 6-11 had six metabolites of organophosphate
insecticides, three chlorinated phenols and the herbicide 2,4-D.
Even low levels
of pesticides can be dangerous. According to the American Medical Association's
Council on Scientific Affairs, “Particular uncertainty exists
regarding the long-term health effects of low dose pesticide exposure….
Considering these data gaps, it is prudent for homeowners, farmers and
workers to limit pesticides exposures to themselves and others, and
to use the least toxic chemical pesticide or non chemical alternative.”
numerous communities and municipalities are embracing a precautionary
approach to the use of toxic pesticides and are recognizing the limitations
of regulatory agencies to adequately protect people and the environment
from pesticides' harmful effects.
the United States are moving toward managing lawns and landscapes without
the use of pesticides. Policies on integrated pest management abound
as do policies that create pesticide-free parks, rights-of-way, and
school properties. (For more details on these policies, contact Beyond
Pesticides or visit the schools and lawns issue webpages.) Some, finding
that such progressive changes on public lands only go so far, are setting
their sights on tougher regulations for the use of pesticides on private
land. A number of cities or counties are engaging in wide-scale campaigns
to educate the public on the plethora of alternatives available to create
In March 2005, EPA
received over 1000 letters calling for the cancellation of “weed
and feed” products during the reregistration process for 2,4-D
due to the product’s contribution to environmental pollution and
public health concerns. Among the letters were some from local governments
and state and local agencies, such as Seattle Public Utilities, the
California Regional Water Quality Board, Clark County (Washington),
and King County (Washington).
States and localities
across the country are beginning to follow Canada’s lead where
seventy municipalities, including Toronto, Quebec, and Halifax, have
banned or severely restricted the aesthetic use of lawn pesticides on
private lawns. In the U.S. at least six states – Wisconsin, Montana,
New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut – have legislation
pending that challenges state laws that prohibit local governments from
passing ordinances that regulate the aesthetic use of fertilizers and
pesticides on private lawns.
A 2004 national
survey by the National Gardening Association and Organic Gardening Magazine
found 5 million homeowners are currently using only organic lawn practices
and products, while some 35 million people use both toxic and non-toxic
materials. A local survey in Connecticut in March
2005 showed that 68 percent of respondents were likely to change the
way they care for their lawn after reading about risks or alternatives
to lawn pesticides, and 62 percent said they think it is important if
their neighbors may not want them to use harmful pesticides. These surveys provide a window into the rising demand for organic/natural
lawn care products and services.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE UNNECESSARY, AESTHETIC USE OF
TOXIC LAWN AND LANDSCAPE PESTICIDES BE REPLACED WITH BETTER ALTERNATIVES.
THE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS SIGNED BELOW SUPPORT THE BROAD MOVEMENT
- People to replace
their use of hazardous lawn pesticides with non-toxic and least-toxic
alternatives and practices.
- Retailers to offer
varieties of non-toxic and least-toxic lawn care products.
- Commercial service
providers to offer organic lawn and landscape services.
- Localities to
adopt ordinances that prohibit or restrict the use of hazardous pesticides
for aesthetic purposes to protect the broader public.
- States to uphold
the rights of local authorities to provide stricter protections from
the aesthetic use of pesticides, and if necessary repeal laws that prohibit
- Congress to support
the democratic right of localities to adopt ordinances that respond
to the demands of their constituents to provide stricter protection
of public health and the environment from local pesticide use and exposure.
sign on to this platform and/or become a member of the Coalition,
call 202-543-5450 or Sign Online
Download: SIGNATORIES as of July 11, 2005
See the level of support in YOUR area!
(ask us how you can
use this list)
Coordination of the Coalition is a project of Beyond
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