Pesticide/Herbicide Hazards

To Humans

Pesticides, which include weed and bug killers, are inherently toxic. Cancer, neurological impairment, reduced immune system function, lowered sperm counts... these are some of the alarming outcomes of our broad use of pesticides, in agriculture as well as in our own homes and gardens.

The biggest danger from pesticide exposure is not from the immediate effects, but the harm that comes long after exposure or from repeated, low-dose exposure. Of the 26 most widely used pesticides in the U.S., 12 are classified by the EPA as carcinogens. Americans use approximately 380 million pounds of pesticides per year. (U.S. EPA. 1998. Office of Pesticide Programs, list of chemicals evaluated for carcinogenic potential).

Recent data collected by the EPA reports that in the U.S. approximately 5 billion pounds of active pesticide ingredients are applied annually. These tremendous amounts of poisons entering our environment and our bodies, create great concern among many of us.

A recent University of Washington (2002) study found that 109 out of 110 urban and suburban children had pesticides in their urine samples. This alarming discovery signals the need for a call to action. Pesticides are finding their way into our bodies. We are exposed to these harmful chemicals through a variety of pathways: air, food, water and touch. Lawn and garden pesticides can easily be tracked into the house from the yard. Even house dust has been found to have pesticides in it...some of these chemicals are long-lasting and do not break down easily.

Some pesticides are suspected of causing neurological defects in children through damage to the developing fetus. Human breast milk and amniotic fluid are contaminated in many women now, due to the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides in our world.

Young children are particularly susceptible to damage from these potent chemicals because of their physiological immaturity and greater exposure to pesticides. Children, on a body-weight basis, consume more food and water and breathe more air, compared to adults. Because children frequently play on lawns, they are at risk of exposure from direct contact.

Drawings on the left show normal development in children from a community where pesticide exposure was low. Drawings on the right show impaired neurological development in children from a community where pesticide exposure was high.

Guillette, Elizabeth, et al. "An Anthropological Approach to the Evaluation of Preshool Children
Exposed to Pesticides in Mexico," Environmental Health Perspectives, v. 106, n. 6, June, 1998.

Pesticides are dangerous to adults, too. Of the 26 most commonly used pesticides, 12 are classified as carcinogens by the EPA. Pesticides have been associated with increases in certain types of cancers, such as prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Parkinson’s disease has also been linked to exposure to certain pesticides. A variety of alarming negative effects on reproduction have been associated with pesticide exposure; for example: birth defects, miscarriages and sperm abnormalities.

Indoor pesticides are also harmful to humans and pets. Sprays to control wasps, ants and spiders, as well as flea collars and pest strips, all may contain harmful chemicals.

For information about the safety of specific lawn and garden products, refer to Grow Smart, Grow Safe by Philip Dickey. Available from Washington Toxics Coalition, it is an easy-to-use, well-researched guide, which rates common products in terms of toxicity to humans, aquatic life, birds, bees, pets and water pollution. See reference below.

To Pets, Fish and Wildlife

Salmon can be injured or killed from runoff in urban and suburban streams. Lawn and garden pesticides and herbicides can travel from home to stream to Puget Sound, when our rains create runoff. The risk is greatest in the spring when homeowners typically apply lawn and garden chemicals. 23 pesticides of 98 sampled for have been found in urban streams in the Puget Sound region. Only half of these 23 had residential sales associated with them—meaning that the rest were applied to right of ways, urban parks, or recreational areas. Many common pesticides sold for home use, such as glyphosate, were not tested for, leaving questions unanswered about the harmful effects of these everday products.

The insecticide diazinon has been implicated in the deaths of several dozen ducks in the Seattle area.

Diazinon was frequently detected in urban streams tested in the Puget Sound region in concentrations that exceed guidelines for protecting aquatic life. This dangerous insecticide has recently been phased out of certain uses by the EPA because of its harmful effects. One senior scientist at NOAA has reported that certain pesticides are among the “contaminants of concern” that can impact salmon survival. Many pesticides can harm fish, even in very small amounts. “Weed and feed” may sound like a benign product, but can contain some of the most harmful chemicals to bees, fish and aquatic life.

Pre-spawn mortality photo (female Coho, Longfellow Creek)
Photo courtesy of the Ecotoxicology and Environmental
Fish Health Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Pets and wildlife are also vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides and herbicides. Veterinarians recommend that homeowners keep pets away from common lawn and garden products, like certain slug and snail baits which taste good to pets, but can make them seriously ill. Talk to your veterinarian about alternatives to flea collars for your dog or cat.

Since pesticides are designed to kill, it is no wonder that beneficial insects are decimated by pesticide use. Most insects are considered to be beneficial, performing valuable functions such as pollination. It is alarming to realize that because of our use of pesticides, the bee population in the United States has suffered dramatic losses in recent years. It makes sense to avoid harmful pesticides in order to preserve the health of beneficial insect populations which control pests naturally.

Use of common lawn and garden chemicals also harms beneficial microorganisms in soil that create healthy environments for plant roots. Healthy microorganisms in soil are powerful allies in growing strong, thriving plants. These invisible creatures create webs of life within soil that provide essential life-support functions for growth and natural defense against pest bugs. Killing off this soil-based system with the use of an arsenal of chemicals is costly and counterproductive! See the link to our page on soil and compost.

Tiny microorganisms in soil create a healthy web-like support system that plants need.

Reading Labels

Federal regulations mandate that pesticide manufacturers place specific warning information on their products’ labels. We recommend that you carefully read labels, including the fine print, on any pesticide or herbicide product. And always look for the least toxic alternative to any plant problem. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides the following information about pesticide labels.

Signal Words
Labels use signal words to show how toxic or hazardous a product can be. They are: Caution, Warning, and Danger. Be careful when products with signal words on the label are used. Make sure you do not come in contact with any of the chemicals from these products. Always "Read the Label First" to know how to properly use these products and for safety information.

• Danger is the strongest signal word. If a label has the word Danger on it, be extremely careful using the product. If it is used the wrong way, you could get very sick, be hurt for a long time, go blind or even die. Danger is also used on products that could explode if they get hot.

• Warning is less strong than Danger, but it still means that you could get really sick or become seriously hurt. Warning is also used to identify products that can easily catch on fire.

• Caution shows that the product could hurt you, but it is less harmful than products with a danger or warning signal word. Caution is used on products that could bother your skin, make you sick if you breathed the fumes, or really hurt if the product got in your eyes.

Read labels very carefully. Always choose the least toxic alternative. Look for products with natural ingredients. Inert ingredients may also be a concern, but are rarely listed.

Disposing of Pesticides
Pesticides must be disposed of properly. It is considered hazardous waste! Even though some labels state that the product may be disposed of in the trash, Kitsap County Solid Waste Division reminds us that these products are never to go in the trash. All counties in the state have programs for collecting unwanted pesticides. In Kitsap County bring them to the Moderate Risk Waste collection facility at 5551 SW Imperial Way, Port Orchard, WA. Phone: 800-825-4940, www.kitsapgov.com/sw.

The irony of this situation is that these products are sold on store shelves, used frequently around our homes, but must be disposed of by specially trained personnel wearing “moon suits” as protective gear!

A Word About Fertilizers

Fertilizer and Water Pollution
Fertilizers provide nutrients to soil and plants. Quick-release fertilizers, often found in “weed and feed” products, can contribute to oxygen loss in waterways, leading to fish deaths. This happens when runoff containing high amounts of nitrogen fertilizer is carried into waterways and marine habitats, creating excessive algal blooms. When algae decays, it removes oxygen from the water, causing fish and other aquatic life to be deprived of oxygen.

Fertilizer ending up as water pollution also occurs when homeowners over-fertilize by using too much on their lawns and gardens. In fact, over-fertilizing is ranked by the Washington State Department of Ecology as a top concern, because it causes non point source pollution of our local waters.

Soil Testing
Careful gardeners can get a soil test to see exactly what their soil needs. Call your local county agricultural extension office for information on labs that do soil testing. In Kitsap County, soil testing is done at TWSS Labs, 360-779-5141, www.twisslabs.com. The lab will analyze your soil sample and make recommendations for nutrients. This will help you target your fertilizer applications and avoid over-fertilizing.

Industrial Waste
Some fertilizers contain industrial wastes (highly toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic as well as dioxins). Testing for metals is now required in Washington state; however, specific package labeling about industrial waste in fertilizer products, is not required. You may look for information on fertilizers, metals and the use of industrial waste in fertilizer, at the Washington State Department of Ecology web site: apps.ecy.wa.gov/fertilizer/index.html.

Use Slow-Release
The best option when choosing a fertilizer is to always use a natural, slow-release product. And if you use basic natural care practices, including using compost or compost tea, you will be “taking your lawn off drugs” by not relying on synthetic chemical fertilizers.

Organic Food: You Are What You Eat!

Food grown on certified organic farms contains significantly less pesticide residue than food grown with synthetic pesticides. That seems obvious, but the evidence for this fact has only been available since 2002, according to Sandra Steingraber, PhD (biologist and author of Living Downstream).

Organic Potatoes

Research has shown that children fed organic food have lower residues of certain pesticides in their bodies than children fed conventionally grown food. We strongly recommend that people choose organic food for themselves and their families, in order to reduce exposure to pesticides and to promote healthy agricultural practices.

In the Puget Sound area, we encourage you to choose organic food at your local market, support Farmers’ Markets with organic foods or consider ordering organic produce and other products from a home delivery service, such as Pioneer Organics or Azure Standard. See information below.

Or consider joining a local CSA farm (community supported agriculture) which grows organic crops. You will receive regular bags of fresh, healthy produce during the growing season. Enjoy your food, knowing it is healthy as well as delicious!

For Further Information

Pesticides:

Grow Smart, Grow Safe, Philip Dickey, www.watoxics.org (206-632-1545)

www.beyondpesticides.org

www.pesticide.org

Our Stolen Future, Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanowski, John Peterson Myers
www.ourstolenfuture.org

www.epa.gov/oppbead1/pestsales/99pestsales/usage1999.html#3_3

Organic food:

www.pioneerorganics.com (206-632-3424)

www.organicconsumers.org

www.csacenter.org/statesfr.htm

www.azurestandard.com

www.moomom.com/learn.html

Metals in fertilizer:

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/fertiliz/index.htm

Soil testing:

www.twisslabs.com

www.reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm (U.S. Department of Agriculture database on community-supported agriculture)

To Contact Us

For more information or to help bring the message of safe and healthy yard care to your Bainbridge Island neighborhood or community group, contact us: ecosolutions3@juno.com. Phone: 206-842-4815.

This project is funded by the City of Bainbridge Island and by Washington State Department of Ecology’s Public Participation Grant.