Research ingredients in lawn treatments

It's spring and a good time to remember that commonly used lawn applications contain carcinogens and neurotoxins that are absorbed by children and pets and contaminate our waterways.

Studies show that these sprays are linked to a host of diseases, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, childhood leukemia, breast cancer, asthma, soft-tissue sarcoma and birth abnormalities.

Some herbicidal sprays remain on the surface for as long as 30 days and even if only one house on a block uses them, they can be found in the furniture and carpets of neighboring homes.

When cold-called by a lawn company that wants to take care of your weeds, ask what is in these applications. Then look them up on the Internet and decide if you wish to take the risk.

As for lawn quality, many of these chemicals eliminate everything that your lawn needs to grow naturally - its diversity, organic balance, and earthworms, and render the soil impotent, creating a yearly need for chemical bolstering.

Lawns naturally include many kinds of grasses, violets and clovers, herbs and other flowers. If a plain grass carpet is desired, it can be achieved by seeding, thatching, composting and applying corn gluten. The public library and Internet are filled with safer solutions.

Find more information at The Pesticide Education Center and The Rachel Carson Council.

Brandon Ross

Iowa City