Pesticides, PFAS and Plastic
Many lawn care products on the market today are designed for quick results, but not necessarily long-term plant health or public safety. Some fertilizers contain "bio-solids" (derived from municipal sewage sludge), which have been shown to be highly contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the "forever" chemicals that are linked to a wide range of serious health conditions and which are being found increasingly in municipal water supplies.
Other types of fertilizer utilize plastic coatings on fertilizer granules to delay their release. Once the plastic covering breaks down with exposure to the weather, the nutrients are released, but the plastic remains, where it too eventually breaks down into micro- and nanoplastics, which are also a growing threat to human health.
The playing fields in East Meadow, New York, are maintained without using chemical pesticides.
Pesticides kill not only target organisms, but beneficial ones as well, weakening grass plants and making them dependent on continued nutritional feeding and chemical pest control. Pesticides are associated with increased risk of certain cancers, neurological and developmental problems, reproductive harm and birth defects. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to these problems.
Recent advances in product technology and biological research have made natural or "organic" landscaping the preferred and responsible method of maintaining municipal properties. Once developed and properly implemented, a natural turf program costs less than a chemical program. Natural turf has far fewer pest infestation problems and is virtually indistinguishable from its non-organic competition.
It's important to remember that an EPA registration number on a product does not mean that the product is safe, even when used as directed. Rather, it indicates that there are safety concerns that require registration and monitoring. Over the years, several products with EPA registrations have been banned. Several states have now passed legislation prohibiting the use of pesticides on school playing fields, and many communities have made the decision to stop using them on town-owned land.
Decatur, GA, is a Bee City USA. As a Bee City, Decatur affirms its support for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators and educating residents about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem. “Beecatur” plans and presents bee-related educational opportunities throughout the year.
Boulder, CO, utilizes an innovative mosquito management program to protect people and the environment.
Branford, CT's Parks Department maintains all 24 of the town’s fields without the use of chemical pesticides of fertilizers.
Ogunquit, ME, banned the use of all turf pesticides on public lands in 2009. Five years later, voters passed an ordinance banning the use of non-organic pesticides and herbicides on private lands as well.
Marblehead, MA, enacted Organic Pest Management regulations in 2005.
New York City prohibits pesticide use in parks.
Takoma Park, MD, passed the Safe Grow Act, which places restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides for lawn care on public and private property.
Parks in Lakewood and Golden, CO, will transition to organic land management within six different parks in an effort to protect community health and the environment using methods they learned from Longmont and Beyond Pesticides.
Resources
Our parent organization, Grassroots Environmental Education, has a section of their website dedicated to managing organic natural lawns and landscapes. Grassroots Environmental Education performed a comprehensive cost comparison between conventional (chemical) turf management and natural (organic) turf management. They have additional resources on their website concerning organic landcare.
View or download a sample Organic Pest Management policy for towns.
Osborne Organics has been helping communities convert to sustainable turf management for over 40 years.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association, though its Organic Land Care program, has developed extensive standards for organic lawn care. They created an Organic Lawn Care Guide and offer certification through a five-day training course.
Beyond Pesticides' Parks for a Sustainable Future program provides training to community land managers to transition green spaces to organic land management.
Non Toxic Communities helps towns advocate for clean air, water, and an environment free of toxic chemicals.
Visit the ChildSafe School Program to view a short video about pesticide-free fields.
The Xerces Society website has guidance on "How to Help Your Community Create an Effective Mosquito Management Plan."
References
[1] Malakar, M., et al. (2016). Environmentally-Friendly Natural Turf for More Comfort for Users: A Review. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 09(09), 09-15.
[2] Cheng, H., Hu, Y., & Reinhard, M. (2014). Environmental and Health Impacts of Artificial Turf: A Review. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(4), 2114-2129.
[3] Schneider, D., et al. (2014). Synthetic Turf vs. Natural Grass. Journal of Facility Planning, Design, and Management, 2(2), 81-84.
[4] Claudio, L. (2008). Synthetic Turf: Health Debate Takes Root. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(3).
[5] Landrigan, P. J., MD, MSc, FAAP. (2001) Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): An analysis of the evidence that they impair children’s neurobehavioral development. Japanese Journal of Occupational Medicine and Traumatology, 49(2), 89-97.
[6] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). About Pesticide Registration. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/about-pesticide-registration
[7] Goldman, L. R. (2007). Managing Pesticide Chronic Health Risks: U.S. Policies. Journal of Agromedicine, 12(1), 67-75.
[8] Levin, R., et al. (2008). Lead Exposures in U.S. Children, 2008: Implications for Prevention. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(10), 1285-1293.