Burlington Front Porch Forum Posting re: BOH Action on Pesticides

By Jean Markey-Duncan posting to Burlington's neighbourhood Front Porch Forum -

LAWNCARE CHEMICALS: COMPANY FINED AND PUBLIC WARNING
Tue, 21 August 2007

BURLINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH RESPONDS TO CITIZENS CONCERNS:
Recently the Board of Health approved a request by a popular lawn care company to be allowed to apply additional chemicals within the Buffer Zone neighborhoods bordering the lake. The company, which touted itself as an expert in the field, convinced the Board, made up of citizens like you and me, that the chemicals they were asking to apply were safe.

After receiving a number of complaints from residents claiming the company was not adhering to the requirements of the pesticide ordinance, the board reversed its decision to allow the additional chemicals.

I attended the commission meeting and listened to the company's representative offer embarrassing "circular" excuses for why they may not have been in compliance with the ordinance but Alan Sousie, the head of the commission, was quick to see through the excuses. Board members responded quickly and appropriately by voting to reverse their previous decision to allow the additional chemical applications in the buffer zone; furthermore, they agreed to fine the company for its failures. This sends a strong message that our Board of Health is serious about protecting the health of the citizens of Burlington .

This action is a big step in the right direction and I applaud the Board for its courage. What is now needed is an extensive educational campaign about lawn chemicals. An educated citizenry will help the Board design proper ordinances and will also help with enforcement.

Unfortunately, most people believe if a chemical is on the market, it is safe. In fact, this simply is not true. Go to the EPA website, and you will not find any claim that a chemical has been proven safe. The homeowner innocently hires professional lawn care companies or purchases products like 4 Step Lawn Care programs thinking they are benign. The EPA has categorized the chemicals in these products among other things, as possible carcinogens, suspected endocrine blockers, and neurotoxins. Additionally the "inert" ingredients that carry the target chemical can, in fact, be more dangerous than the target chemical itself.

Sadly, children are particularly at risk. A National Cancer Institute study warns that, "It is prudent to reduce or, where possible, eliminate pesticide exposure to children, given their increased vulnerability and susceptibility. In particular, efforts should be focused to reduce exposure to pesticides used in homes and garden and on lawns and public lands, which are major sources of exposure for most children."

As a person trained in plant and soil science, I am not anti-chemical by any means but I am convinced that our desire for the "perfect" lawn is responsible for putting many millions of unnecessary pounds of unsafe chemicals into the environment at the expense of our health. Our Board of Health is doing its best to keep us safe but they need our support. Let's educate ourselves, make informed decisions about our own chemical use, and help the board create and enforce good ordinances that put the health of the community first.

COMMENT: Jean is a concerned citizen and is proud of the Board's collaborative work as volunteer citizen commissioners working diligently on public health issues. I like her point about education, which we have collectively decided is a priority. I am on the BOH and voted against granting the initial permit with another commissioner (first paragraph). The motion by me to fine the company was indeed approved unanimously. But there is still work to do... onward through the pesticide fog!