As expected, New York Governor David Paterson signed the historic New York school pesticide bill into law on Tuesday afternoon. SafeLawns plans to distribute this press release nationwide today:
Natural Lawncare Advocates Applaud
New York’s Anti-Pesticide Bill
Natural lawncare advocates are celebrating the signing of a tough anti-pesticide bill by New York Governor David Paterson. The Child Safe Playing Fields Act, which bans the use of chemical pesticides on school playing fields and playgrounds, is being called “historic” by the founder of SafeLawns.org, North America’s leading natural lawncare advocacy group.
“We need to protect children from the toxic effects of pesticides such as weed killers, insecticides and fungicides,” said Paul Tukey, the founder of SafeLawns.org and author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual (Storey, 2007). “Numerous studies indicate these chemical substances are not safe for children, pets or the planet. I believe that the New York state legislature, Senate and governor have ‘fired a shot’ that will be heard around the entire country.”
The Child Safe Playing Fields Act bans the use of chemical pesticides on school playing fields and day care playgrounds, although chemicals can still be used on surrounding green areas and inside schools to combat pests. Chemical companies lobbied heavily against the bill.
Tukey, who consults with municipalities and lawn care professionals across the U.S. and Canada, said achieving adequate turfgrass playing fields with natural, organic methods is easily attainable. In the long run, he said, the organic process is less expensive and safer.
“Numerous examples of natural lawns exist across North America, and studies indicate that the playing surfaces look great,” said Tukey. “Plus, natural lawncare helps the bottom line due to a reduced need for mowing, watering and pesticide applications.”
In fact, a new feature-length documentary called A Chemical Reaction, traces the story of how the small town of Hudson, Quebec, became the first municipality in North America to completely ban lawn chemicals. That law was upheld by the Canadian Supreme Court in 2001. Nearly two decades of organic lawn care later, the lawns in Hudson are looking quite green and healthy. “You don’t need synthetic chemicals to have a nice lawn,” said Tukey.
Today, lawn chemicals are now banned in more than half of Canada and are not sold in Home Depot and other major retail chains in that country. The same lawn chemicals are still sold in the U.S., however. Tukey sees the New York bill that prevents chemical pesticides on school playing fields as a major step toward other restrictions on lawncare chemicals throughout the United States.
“As Americans, we have to ask ourselves why we are subjecting our kids and pets to toxic chemicals when our friends north of the border began outlawing these poisons nearly two decades ago,” said Tukey.
NOTE: DVD copies of the movie, A Chemical Reaction, are available at www.safelawns.org/chemical-reaction/.
May 19th, 2010 at 9:34 am
This is outstanding news, especially coming on the same day we’re taking my son to see his new school for the Fall. And when he starts kindergarten in September, it makes me very pleased to know that he won’t be subjected to toxic chemicals. New York doesn’t have a whole lot to be proud of these days with its government, but this is something to be very proud of!
May 19th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Now hopefully more states will join…
May 19th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Your story, your leadership, your willingness to make a difference and so we now chart greater awareness, greater understanding and actions that reflect right intention. As a member of the Orangetown Environmental Committee (OEC), Orangetown, NY and having led the community campaign that led to the Rockland County Non-toxic Land Maintainence Act, June, 2008, I know WE THE PEOPLE can be a voice heard. OUR CHILDREN DESERVE NO LESS! As an educational therapist in practice since 1983, I have seen the ill effects of toxins, pesticides and chemical exposure, to children. What I have witnessed has recently been documented in studies linking such exposures to learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD, allergies, asthma, and a myriad of behavior issues. Do visit: http://www.apogeelearning.blogspot.com – information of these studies posted – join the dialogue.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:45 am
This is good news but let’s make sure that our medical community knows of the reasons for the bans… Why is our medical community so naive about the health problems created and exasperated by synthetic lawn chemicals? Why do our hospitals allow these toxins to be applied to their grounds?
May 20th, 2010 at 7:37 am
I was thrilled on Monday to see the pesticide/ADHD story get huge media play. It was stunning, really. But I don’t understand why people aren’t tying this pesticide issue back to lawn and garden products; they’re the same pesticides, after all. Can you help get the word out about this?