False Assumptions
Consumers presume that lawn care pesticides are safe because they are sold in stores
that also market foods and other consumer products. Products with names such as
Weed-and-Feed, Weed-B-Gon, and Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control might
seem innocuous to the consumer, but they contain pesticides such as 2,4-D and MCPP,
which have been associated with soft tissue cancers. Products such as Bug-B-Gone and
Turf Builder with Insect Control also might sound quite benign to the consumer, but
they contain carbaryl and diazinon, both of which are capable of harming the nervous
system. Carbaryl is suspected of altering human hormone function, while the residen-
tial uses of diazinon pose a special threat to children. The public remains uninformed
of the potential health threats posed by these chemicals, while at the same time being
subjected to intensive television, radio, and Internet advertising.^46
Several Particularly Dangerous Lawn and Garden Pesticides
A wide variety of insecticides are available for use in gardens, but many contami-
nate water and soil, kill beneficial insects, and can harm health. Many lawn and gar-
den pesticides are toxic chemicals that should not be used around children, sensitive
individuals, or pets. These include the following:
Carbaryl is the main ingredient in Sevin dust and Bonide spray, and is associated
with a stunning array of human health problems. It contaminates groundwater and is
toxic to many kinds of wildlife, killing as many as 1 to 2 million birds in the United
States every year.^47
Malathion, often used for control of adult mosquitoes, is toxic to the human ner-
vous system, like all OP insecticides.^48
MCPA is a common ingredient in products such as Trimec (along with MCPP
and dicamba) and weed-and-feed products like Scott’s Pro Lawn; it is frequently used
by lawn care companies. It is toxic to wildlife and humans and a possible
carcinogen.^49
The herbicide 2,4-D is sold under a variety of brand names and is one of the most
widely used herbicides in the world. Americans use 9 million pounds of it every year
to control lawn and garden weeds. Long-term exposure has been linked to damage to
the liver, kidneys, and the digestive, muscular, and nervous systems, and may also be
linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Glyphosate is the second most commonly used home and garden herbicide, with
25 million applications annually. If inhaled, glyphosate can cause respiratory prob-
lems, nose and throat irritation, lung congestion, and an increased breathing rate.^50
Lawn and Garden Pesticides Increase Indoor Risks
Before going indoors, people should wipe their shoes carefully after walking on a
lawn or garden treated with herbicides; otherwise they could be tracking in dangerous
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