By WBNG News
Story Created: May 5, 2010 at 5:33 AM EDT
New York schools may have to start finding new ways to keep their playing fields free of weeds and critters.
New York schools may have to start finding new ways to keep their playing fields free of weeds and critters.The state Assembly passed a bill Tuesday prohibiting the use of pesticides on school fields and day care playgrounds. They could still use pesticides on other green areas and inside schools.
The bill got approval from the state Senate last month. If it gets Governor Paterson's signature, it would go into effect 180 days later.
Chemical companies fought the proposal, saying government regulation of pesticides makes them safe to use.
Chicago parks go 'green' without pesticides
May 8, 2010
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE
The appearance of dandelion flowers in parks throughout the city this spring doesn't mean that the parks are not being cared for, the Chicago Park District says. In fact, those dandelions are an indication of the park district's limited use of pesticides to control weeds.
For a third year the park district is partnering with the city Department of Environment and Safer Pest Control Project to offer park visitors a safer and healthier park by limiting the use of pesticides throughout the district, a release from the park district this week said.
The use of chemicals that are sprayed to control weeds is avoided in close to 90 percent of Chicago parks, the release said. This is done in an effort to minimize the impact on the environment.
The Chicago Park District mows turf grass to keep weeds down. Following natural lawn care basics, the park district keeps the grass three inches high. This allows the roots to grow strong and access water deep in the ground, the release said. As a result, the taller grass naturally shades out some weeds. With the reduction in use of chemical weed killers, dandelion flowers grow back quickly, oftentimes overnight. Therefore, the sight of dandelions indicates grass that is healthy and safe for all park patrons, the release said.
“We are asking everyone to consider natural alternatives to chemicals for maintaining landscapes,” city Environment Commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna said. “Options for a healthy and vibrant garden include choosing species that are adaptable to our climate, utilizing natural fertilizers, and implementing an Integrated Pest Management program.”
“Residents can control weeds and get a naturally beautiful lawn without pesticides, which carry potential risks to human health and water quality,” Rachel Rosenberg, Executive Director of Safer Pest Control Project, said. “A natural lawn will help reduce disease and pest problems safely, which can over time save time and money as an extra added benefit to your family.”
Childhood Defects in Boys - Linked to Pesticides
October 27, 2009 DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), an insecticide, has been connected to male genital birth defects, according to a South African Study Until the 1980s, DDT was widely used in agriculture until it was banned in the developed countries because of the dangers involved. It is, however, still used in many parts of the world to combat malaria.
Researchers looked at villages in South Africa, comparing those that were sprayed with DDT with those what were not. They specifically targeted women who gave birth and who stayed at home, not attending school elsewhere or working outside of the village, maximizing their exposure, if any, to the insecticide. The researchers found that among the women who stayed home, had 41% more boys with genital birth defects, such as missing testicles or problems with their urethra or penis than women in un-sprayed villages.
The spraying occurred between 1995 and 2003 and the births studied were between 2004 and 2006. This finding is particularly disturbing because this means that the DDT has built up in the women’s body, through either diet or environment, rather than direct exposure.
Daily News Archives
From May 6, 2005
Physician Pleads To End Needless Exposure to Sports Field Toxins Enraged that these fertilizers are still being used, years after toxic contaminants were first discovered, Dr. Ash pointed to the 2001 report, Holding the Bag: How Toxic waste in Fertilizer fails farmers and gardeners. by Washington Toxics Coalition. The report reveals the results of independent testing conducted by the Washington Toxics Coalition and Dr. Bill Liebhardt of the University of California at Davis. The study focused on zinc fertilizers because many are made from hazardous waste and the water solubility of zinc content is a clear measure of effectiveness. Zinc is considered a key micronutrient necessary for plant growth.
The report found that: most fertilizers are still contaminated with heavy metals. Of the 26 fertilizers tested, 20 contained toxic heavy metals above levels considered natural background in Washington soils; the most contaminated zinc fertilizer is also likely to be the least effective; and, many fertilizers contain zinc with low solubility. The water solubility of the zinc in most agricultural and consumer fertilizers is insufficient for the zinc to be available to plants. "While the use of natural fertilizers is the best first step in growing a safe and environmentally healthy lawn or field for our children, we must be aware of how pesticides and other harmful and non-organic growing agents effect our children," says Dr. Ash. To reduce pesticide exposure to children, more than 30 states have moved to curb pesticide use at schools. Many of these schools follow a set of guidelines known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which calls for monitoring pest problems, addressing the cause, using non-chemical suppression techniques, and, if other methods fail, using the least-toxic type of pesticide. "Everyone loves a lush, verdant sports field, but at what price? The fact is that safer alternatives exist," says Dr. Ash. "When you consider the effective and economical organic alternatives on the market, where is the wisdom or the necessity of using synthetic chemical fertilizers, setting up a man-made ecosystem requiring repeated intensive fertilizations and other chemical treatments?” TAKE ACTION: For information on taking care of your lawn without toxic pesticides or fertilizers or information on how to make your child’s sports fields safer, visit Beyond Pesticides
(Beyond Pesticides, May 6, 2005) Richard N. Ash, M.D., internal medicine specialist and a leader in the field of environmental medicine, railed out against the continued use of chemical fertilizers in all sports fields used by America's youth in an April 28th press statement. “The unprecedented, exposure to heavily-fertilized fields and lawns puts children at higher risk for numerous potentially-serious health problems including skin and eye irritations, digestive problems, asthma attacks, rashes and other allergic reactions, as well as the unknown," says Dr. Ash. He currently practices medicine at The Ash Center for Comprehensive Medicine in New York, NY.
EPA presses pesticide makers to protect salmon
GRANTS PASS — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pressing pesticides manufacturers to adopt new restrictions on applying three farm pesticides that pose a threat to Pacific salmon.
A letter from the EPA gives manufacturers of diazinon, malathion and chlorpyrifos until May 13 to say whether they will comply with the restrictions. If not, EPA says it will take action itself.
The action comes 18 months after NOAA Fisheries Service found that the pesticides threaten the survival of 27 species of salmon and steelhead in the West.
The agency suggests buffer strips up to 1,000 feet along salmon streams where the pesticides should not be sprayed.
Anti-pesticide groups had sued EPA to get the agency to take action.