Community Corner

Local Environmental Group Out to Raise Awareness About Harmful Effects of Pesticides

Brain cancer, Parkinson's disease, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and other illnesses may be linked to common lawn chemicals.

Many township residents might be surprised to learn that studies have shown that common lawn chemicals can increase the risk of childhood leukemia by as much as seven-fold. Other studies have linked the most commonly used nonagricultural herbicide, 2, 4-D to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and people exposed to glyphosate (found in the weed killer Roundup®) are 2.7 times more likely to develop NHL.

These are the types of facts that the Bernards Township Environmental Commission is trying to spread to residents. Joe Speeney, chair of the commission, presented hard copies of a 13-page presentation to the Board of Education on Monday night urging the board to publicize their decision to end the use of pesticides on school properties in late 2008.

"The good news is you are already made constructive changes. You stopped using pesticides on school fields and for lawn care at the end of 2008," Speeny said. His recommendation was, "You have done the right thing, just tell people." Speeney encouraged the board to put up pesticide-free signs and spread the word to parents about the potential dangers of using non-organic lawn chemicals.

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The Township Committee and the Board of Health both passed resolutions at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, respectively, stating the township's commitment to using pesticide free lawn care materials. The Bernard's schools service provider, Aramark, followed by switching to organic fertilizer, which does not require the use of pesticides.

The report given by Speeney included references to several studies that have linked pesticide and herbicide use to harmful illnesses, especially in children. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 50 percent of lifetime pesticide exposure comes in the first five years of life. Children are also more susceptible to harm from pesticides do to developing organ systems, according to findings of the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Another study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reported that children born in homes where parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer than children born into pesticide-free residences. And a Harvard Public Health report found a link between chronic exposure to pesticides and Parkinson's disease.

Because of the risks, the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have banned pesticide use on all public and private properties, according to Speeney's report. Connecticut has also banned pesticide usage on all public and private school properties grades K-8.

Organic Lawn Care Alternatives

The Environmental Commission lists a handful of organic lawn care tips residents can use in place of potentially harmful pesticides and herbicides. The following were taken from Speeney's report:

  • Feed the Soil - Add compost to the lawn.
  • Feed the Turf - Leave mulched grass clippings in the lawn to recycle nutrients, add organic matter, and reduce fertilizer needs by 25% - 50%. Replace synthetic fertilizers with organic fertilizer to feed the turf, build the soil, and reduce watering needs.
  • Overseed - Thick turf out-competes weeds. Apply seed over the existing lawn in early fall with the appropriate seed mix, and aerate the soil.
  • Test the Soil - Soil tests identify the need for amendments (typically lime (calcium) to raise pH). pH between 6 and 7 is required for weed prevention.
  • Mow High - Cutting the grass height at 3-4 inches helps reduce watering needs by allowing the soil to retain more moisture, and also prevents weeds. Keep mower blades sharp to limit disease.
  • Water Only As Needed - Too much water makes lawns vulnerable to disease and encourages shallow turf roots, which is detrimental the turf's self-sufficiency. 1" of water per week, delivered in a short interval, is optimal to foster a strong deep-rooted turf.
  • Weed Control - Corn gluten – applied during spring - prevents weeds from germinating. For spot weed control, use a lemon juice & vinegar mixture.
  • Pest Control - Common lawn insects can be controlled with beneficial nematodes. Milky spore powder is another effective control for Japanese beetle grubs. Organisms in compost and liquid "compost tea" helps keep lawns healthy and pest-free.  Fescue turf grass contains fungi which are toxic to certain grubs. 


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