The National Academy of Sciences estimates that homeowners utilize 10 times more fertilizer and pesticides per acre than farmers.[1] Ten times more than farmers per acre.
Throughout the summer we see a variety of small placards grow on lawns that say things like “Caution: Pesticide Application. Keep Off!”
The signs are there for good reasons, and I hope you will bear with us as we describe some of the most common safety hazards whipped up by leaf blowers:
2,4-D
The most popular herbicide in the US, (but banned in Quebec) 2,4-D, has been found in many studies to be a possible human carcinogen, linked to lymphoma, cell damage, hormonal disruption and reproductive problems.[2]
Studies have also shown that 2,4-D enters maternal milk and semen.[3]
As you can see in the image above (from the 2,4-D MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet), 2,4-D has been found to create a whole host of health and safety hazards, notably through skin exposure and skin contact.
One of the first warnings is to keep the herbicide out of the reach of children, avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing, and do not inhale fumes. All of this is, of course, impossible when the chemical has been swooped up by 150-280 mph winds and tossed on top of you, your patio, your kids' toys, etc.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council: “Residues of 2,4-D on children’s hands and in their urine have been shown to correlate closely with the levels of 2,4-D in carpet dust, demonstrating that the contamination from dust is how this chemical enters children’s bodies.”[4]
ATRAZINE:
Despite having been banned by the European Union, Atrazine, is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. Atrazine is an endocrine disruptor, a possible carcinogen, and has been connected to low sperm levels.
Atrazine has also been connected to birth defects, low birth weights and menstrual problems when consumed at concentrations below federal standards.[5]
The half life of atrazine ranges from 13 – 261 days,[long enough for leaf blowers to spread it around the neighborhood long after it has been applied.
These are only two of the most common toxic chemicals applied to lawns in the U.S. The 280-mph winds aimed at the ground raise a variety of other potential hazards, which will be addressed in future posts.
These are only two of the most common toxic chemicals applied to lawns in the U.S. The 280-mph winds aimed at the ground raise a variety of other potential hazards, which will be addressed in future posts.
[1] U.S. EPA, "Wild Ones Handbook" (online edition of "Landscaping with Native Plants") http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/wildones/handbk/wo8.html#Can%20Lawns bottom of web page, citing the National Academy of Sciences. Also "Lawn Pesticides Facts and Figures" http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/facts&figures.htm, including footnote 3.
[2] National Resources Defense Council, Chemical Index "2-4d," http://www.nrdc.org/living/chemicalindex/2-4-d.asp
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5]New York Times, "Debating How Much Weed Killer Is Safe in Your Water Glass" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/us/23water.html?pagewanted=all
[6] U.S. EPA, "Decision Documents for Atrazine," http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/atrazine_combined_docs.pdf
WHat about Roundup. Per the wikipedia article, Roundup sounds less toxic than the above, but still some concerns. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundup_(herbicide)
ReplyDeleteThere are many other herbicides and pesticides, including RoundUp, that are frequently used. Rather than highlight all of them, we chose two of the most commonly used in the United States.
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