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Washington Toxics Coalition Joins National Pesticide-Free Lawn Campaign

Promotes Natural Methods for Healthy Lawns and Gardens

Joining with more than twenty other organizations around the country, the Washington Toxics Coalition is urging consumers to buy organic not only when it comes to purchasing food for their families, but also when hiring a lawn service or purchasing products for their own lawn.

Joining with more than twenty other organizations around the country, the Washington Toxics Coalition is urging consumers to buy organic not only when it comes to purchasing food for their families, but also when hiring a lawn service or purchasing products for their own lawn. The coalition is countering a growing pesticide industry effort to promote the use of unnecessary insecticides and weedkillers on lawns, and is distributing Pesticide-Free Zone signs for use by homeowners and others.

"Yards where children play should be pesticide-free zones. We can use Pesticide-Free Zone signs to identify yards maintained without toxic pesticides and show that safe, healthy yards are also beautiful yards." said Philip Dickey, a staff scientist for the Washington Toxics Coalition. "Today we're joining with our colleagues in other states to make Pesticide-Free Zone signs more visible across the country."

The new National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns advocates safe and healthy lawns and landscapes with the use of organic and least-toxic practices and products. Out of 213 million pounds of non-agricultural pesticide use in the United States, more than 90 million pounds are used on private lawns and gardens per year. Since l998 home usage of pesticides nationally has jumped by 42%. 

More natural methods are available and produce an attractive lawn or garden. In Washington state, for example, the campuses of Seattle University and the Evergreen State College display Pesticide-Free Zone signs as proof that these methods work. "Homeowners can have beautiful and thriving lawns and gardens without pesticides," said Philip Dickey. "Northwest Natural Yard Days promotions over the next month at major retailers in our area will be a great opportunity to try products like compost and organic fertilizers at discounted prices." 

Ingredients in common lawn weed and insect killers may cause a variety of health effects including asthma, cancer, developmental and learning disabilities, nerve and immune system effects, and disruption of hormones. Children are especially vulnerable to pesticides exposure and effects, as are the elderly, pregnant women, and people with existing health problems.

Pesticides run off into streams and rivers when it rains. The most commonly used lawn care pesticides have been found in every stream tested during rainstorms in King County, in some cases at levels that may harm fish or their food supply. The toxic levels of multiple pesticides found together in our streams are not known, but more pollutants increase the risk.

Information about non-toxic lawn care and how to obtain a Pesticide-Free Zone sign can be found at http://www.watoxics.org and www.pesticidefreelawns.org. Individuals or organizations can join the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns at www.pesticidefreelawns.org. Photos of the Pesticide-Free Zone signs at Seattle University, Evergreen State College, and other locations are available on our Pesticide Free Zone page.

Contact:

Philip Dickey
Washington Toxics Coalition
206-632-1545 ext. 116

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