GREENING SYNAGOGUES RESOURCES

Pesticides

The fewer chemicals, the better. That’s the bottom line of lawns. Only a handful of common pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers have been fully tested for human safety (even fewer for children’s safety), and studies simply can’t be done on all the possible multiple interactions and cross-effects of the some 130,000 synthetic compounds now in commercial use. And humans, as a relatively large organism, have a somewhat higher tolerance for chemicals than do our smaller friends -- frogs, birds, insects, butterflies, and other visitors or residents on our synagogue grounds. So for our safety and for that of our mini-ecosystem, drop the chemicals.

Luckily, alternatives are in place. We recommend Beyond Pesticides (formerly the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) for information on challenges and alternatives, along with the Pesticide Action Network, Washington Toxics Coalition, and other fine groups. Beyond Pesticides says this about lawn care:

Lawn Care: Pesticide Hazards and Alternatives

Public concern over the potential hazards associated with chemical lawn care products and services has been on a steady rise. And with good reason. Annually, 67 million pounds of lawn pesticides are used in and around homes and gardens, and in industrial, commercial and government settings. Alarmingly, suburban lawns and gardens receive far heavier pesticide applications per acre than most other land areas in the U.S., including agricultural areas.

Worse yet, these hazardous chemicals that are continually applied to our lawns and gardens have been found tracked into our homes. One recent study found residues of the toxic herbicide 2,4-D contaminating indoor air and surfaces, exposing children at levels ten times higher than preapplication levels.

Such widespread use and exposure is alarming considering that of the 36 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 14 are probable or possible carcinogens. Additionally, 15 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 24 with neurotoxicity, 22 with liver or kidney damage, and 34 are sensitizers and/or irritants.

Beyond Pesticides is working to halt such senseless exposure and encourage use of least toxic and non-toxic lawn care practices. Activists play an extremely important role in lawn pesticide reform, and Beyond Pesticides continually provides resources to educate the public on the hazards of these chemicals and on existing alternatives to them. These resources include testimony, fact sheets, studies and GAO reports.

For consumers, in addition to the wealth of information on alternatives, Beyond Pesticides has put together a growing directory of companies that are interested in providing the least-toxic services that are currently in demand. The Safety Source for Pest Management can be used for pest problems in homes, commercial sites, schools, parks, golf courses, and more. This is our free service to people interested in managing their pests without poisoning themselves, their families or environment, and to the pest management companies that give them this option.

Another idea comes from the COEJL Program Bank:
Return to Eden: Lawn and Garden Care - The Low-Impact Way