What's Lurking in Your Neighborhood?

So, it is that time of year again... when you start to see the little yellow pesticide signs on people's front lawns. Did you know that you have options to using dangerous chemicals on you lawn that can harm your health?

 

Let's take some things into consideration.....

 

Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides.....

• 19 have studies pointing toward carcinogens
• 13 are linked with birth defects
• 21 with reproductive effects
• 15 with neurotoxicity
• 26 with liver or kidney damage
• 27 are sensitizers and/or irritants
• 11 have the potential to disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system 

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds home and garden pesticide use can increase the risk of childhood leukemia by almost seven times and can increase a child's likelihood of developing asthma.   

Yikes!  

And we need to take our pets into consideration also. Studies find that dogs exposed to herbicide-treated lawns and gardens can double their chance of developing canine lymphoma and may increase the risk of bladder cancer in certain breeds by four to seven times.  

What can we do?  

• Check out some of these great articles on some alternatives. 

• Look for an organic lawn care company in your area. There are many out there that can care for your lawn without the harsh chemicals. 

• If you don't spray pesticides but your neighbors do, call up the company that they use. By law, they would need to give you 24 hours notice before they come out (if you grow your own organic veggies, this gives you time to cover them up).  

• You can also get on to a list with the state to be notified if any of your abutting neighbors will be spraying. You can sign up here. 

• Also, be careful of where you walk your dogs in the neighborhood. The pesticides can get onto their paws, get tracked into the house and, if you are like me and allow the dog on the coach or in bed, the chemicals can then get onto the furniture.

Be safe and know that you have options! You can still have a great looking lawn without all of the harmful chemicals. You just need to know where to look and I hope that this brings awareness so that you can start to make some healthy changes.



Jennifer is a Certified Health Coach and owner of Healthy Healing Wellness, LLC in West Hartford, CT. She specializes in helping people create a safe and healthy environment by identifying and removing dangerous toxins from their diets, homes and workspaces, and replacing them with healthier, safer alternatives. Learn more at http://www.healthyhealingwellness.com.