IS YOUR LAWN BABY SAFE?
Purchasing organic foods for your baby is one giant step in reducing their exposure to chemical pesticides. But to reduce their exposure even more, you need to look past the highchair, to the rest of your house and your lawn. That's because a recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health concluded that chemical lawn treatments and home pest extermination are associated with an increased risk of cancer in children.
The Study Found: Children whose yards were treated with chemicals were four times more likely to be diagnosed later with cancer. One of the chemicals "most likely to be used by people in the study area" was Diazinon. The EPA has banned Diazinon for use on golf courses, sod farms and corn and alfalfa fields. But this restriction does not apply to commercial lawn-care companies or products.
Children exposed to home pest strips were found to be 2-l/2 to 3 times as likely to contract Leukemia. The resin strips used to kill flies contain Dichlorvos, a chemical the EPA is currently reviewing because of "concerns about the risks of cancer and neurotoxicity."
Children whose homes have been exterminated for fleas, termites or other bugs and insects had a slightly elevated risk of lymph cancer. The chemicals most likely to have caused damage are Chlordane, Heptachlor, Diazinon and Chloryrifos (Dursban).
How to Be Bug Free, and Risk Free
From your kitchen to your backyard, there are many ways to help make your home safer for your children.
Select a pesticide-free lawn care company or lawn care products. A healthy, beautiful lawn that is environmentally responsible can be easily achieved using an organic approach. Most chemical fertilizers simply provide nutrients to help grass grow. An organic lawn care approach applies living organic matter to feed the soil - the heart of the lawn. So you'll have a healthier lawn, and your children will have a healthier place to play.
|
|
|---|
Written by: EcoMall
RELATED LINKS:
For more information on how to keep your home free of toxic contaminants, we suggest the following books:
| * * * IN-HOUSE RESOURCES * * * |
|---|