Children's Health is More Important Than Perfect Lawns - Prohibit the Use of Dangerous Pesticides on School Grounds!
- by: Julie S.
- recipient: United States Congress
Nearly every American would agree that we should do everything possible to keep our children healthy and safe. Ironically, our children's schoolyards and athletic playing fields are typically covered in poisons - a toxic mixture of pesticides used to kill fungus, weeds, and insects. There are currently no federal laws to prohibit pesticides used to improve the cosmetic appearance of lawns on school grounds.
Of the 36 most common pesticides used in lawn care, 14 are probable carcinogens, 15 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 24 with neurotoxicity, 22 with liver or kidney damage, and 34 are irritants.
Children are especially sensitive to the harmful effects of pesticides. Children between the ages of 6-11 show higher levels of pesticides in their blood than people of any other age category. Unfortunately, their developing organ systems make them less able to detoxify chemicals than adults. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that exposure to home and garden pesticides increases the risk of childhood leukemia by 7 times. Even low levels of exposure to lawn pesticides are linked to nervous and endocrine system disruption, immune suppression, and asthma.
I believe that these chemicals should be prohibited across the United States on both private and public property. They are toxic to birds, fish, bees, and increase cancer rates in our beloved cats and dogs. There is widespread contamination of streams and groundwater as a result of lawn pesticides.
Knowing the horrific health and environmental effects of these chemicals, I feel angry when I see postings of pesticide applications on my neighbors' yards. I feel even angrier when I see postings of pesticide applications at nearby elementary schools. Our children deserve better! Please sign this petition urging members of Congress to prohibit the use of dangerous pesticides on schoolyards and athletic playing fields throughout the United States. Let them know that children's health is more important than getting rid of crabgrass and dandelions.
For more information regarding current restrictions on pesticides in your state, click here. Strong state and federal laws are needed to protect children (and all of us) from dangerous and unnecessary lawn pesticides.
Members of the United States Congress:
I urge you to enact legislation to prohibit the use of dangerous lawn pesticides on school grounds and athletic playing fields.
Nearly everyone American would agree that we should do everything possible to keep our children healthy and safe. Ironically, our children’s schoolyards and athletic playing fields are typically covered in poisons - a toxic mixture of pesticides used to kill fungus, weeds, and insects.
Of the 36 most common pesticides used in lawn care, 14 are probable carcinogens, 15 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 24 with neurotoxicity, 22 with liver or kidney damage, and 34 are irritants.
Children are especially sensitive to the harmful effects of pesticides. Children between the ages of 6-11 show higher levels of pesticides in their blood than people of any other age category. Unfortunately, their developing organ systems make them less able to detoxify chemicals than adults. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that exposure to home and garden pesticides increases the risk of developing childhood leukemia by 7 times. Even low levels of exposure to lawn pesticides are linked to nervous and endocrine system disruption, immune suppression, and asthma.
In addition, these chemicals are toxic to birds, fish, bees, and increase cancer rates our beloved cats and dogs. There is widespread contamination of streams and groundwater as a result of lawn pesticides.
Knowing the horrific health and environmental effects of these chemicals, I find it outrageous that their use continues on schoolyards and public lands throughout the United States. Our children deserve better! Protecting their health is more important than getting rid of crabgrass and dandelions.
Please introduce legislation to ban these chemicals on school grounds and public fields.
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