Pesticides push organic lawn-care movement ; Science has linked pesticide exposure with an array of medical problems
Fran Henry / Newhouse News Service
The Grand Rapids Press - Grand Rapids, Mich.
Oct 23, 2005
A growing body of scientific evidence links pesticide exposure with a vast array of medical problems, including asthma, childhood leukemia, birth defects, brain cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, behavioral and learning disorders, and delayed motor development.
Children are particularly vulnerable because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, creating greater lung exposure to fumes and vapors. And, because children are small, they absorb pesticides at a higher concentration. Their brains and nervous systems are less able to repair damage caused by these toxins.
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Fertilizer won't help stressed plants
John Hogan
The Grand Rapids Press - Grand Rapids, Mich.
Jul 22, 2007
"In many fertilizers you find ammonia. Ammonia is a salt; it dehydrates the life in the soil," [Scott Meyer] said. "Over time, you will kill life in the soil and cause it to dehydrate."
"I live in a suburban area; my lawn needs to look good," he said. "I've been there 16 years and have never sprayed anything on it. Sure, there's a few dandelions in spring, but otherwise, I'm not hearing complaints from neighbors who rely on the chemicals."
"Gardening is a gratifying experience if you are not beating your head against the wall," Meyer said. "Working with nature works. You are not working against, but collaborating with nature as your ally."
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