Dangers of Chemlawn
TruGreen ChemLawn is the most widely used pesticide in the United States for the control of insects in lawns. ChemLawn is distributed in 46 states to both homeowners and business customers. Users of ChemLawn and their families are at risk of health, safety and environmental dangers when exposed to this pesticide.
According to an investigation by Toxics Action Center, a New England-based organization that is committed to reducing environmental problems and pollution throughout the United States, “13 of 32 (41 percent) of TruGreen ChemLawn’s pesticide products include ingredients that are banned or restricted in other countries.” Other ingredients are “possible carcinogens,” “suspected reproductive toxins” and “endocrine disruptors.”
Carcinogens
Toxics Action Center reports, “17 of 32 (53 percent) of TruGreen ChemLawn’s pesticide products include ingredients that are possible carcinogens.”
The carcinogens in ChemLawn pose possible cancer risk to humans. ChemLawn products that contain potential carcinogens include the following: Acclaim Extra, Barricade plus Fertilizer, Barricade 4 FL, Barricade 65W, Cool Power, Dimension 1 EC, Dimension Ultra, Millennium Ultra, Pre-M 3.3EC, Pre-M 3.3 EC plus Fertilizer, Sevin 6.3G, Sevin SL, Talstar, Talstar plus Fertilizer, Triplet, Tri-Power and Turflon Ester plus Tripower.
- TruGreen ChemLawn is the most widely used pesticide in the United States for the control of insects in lawns.
- Toxics Action Center reports, “17 of 32 (53 percent) of TruGreen ChemLawn’s pesticide products include ingredients that are possible carcinogens.”
Reproductive and Developmental Toxins
According to Toxics Action Center, “9 of 32 (28 percent) of TruGreen ChemLawn’s pesticide products include ingredients that are known or suspected reproductive toxins.”
Chemicals that disrupt the reproductive systems of both humans and animals are known as reproductive toxins. Contact with reproductive toxins before pregnancy can cause infertility, fetus malformation and dysfunctional menstrual cycles. When women are exposed to these toxins while pregnant, the dangers include miscarriages, underweight newborns, birth defects, disabilities and abnormal behaviors.
The possible reproductive toxins in ChemLawn are known as teratogens. Likely forms of teratogens are found in the following ChemLawn products: Confront plus Vanquish, Cool Power, Eagle Fungicide, Millennium Ultra, Talstar, Talstar plus Fertilizer, Triplet, Tri-Power and Turflon Ester plus Tripower.
Endocrine Disruptors
Toxics Action Center report continues, “11 of 32 (34 percent) of TruGreen ChemLawn’s pesticide products include ingredients that are known or suspected endocrine disruptors.”
- According to Toxics Action Center, “9 of 32 (28 percent) of TruGreen ChemLawn’s pesticide products include ingredients that are known or suspected reproductive toxins.” The possible reproductive toxins in ChemLawn are known as teratogens.
Endocrine disruptors cause the growth of tumors, sexual dysfunction, breast cancer, hormone imbalance and danger to fetus development. Endocrine disruptors are also known to cause thyroid problems, learning disabilities, low sperm count and genital defects in men.
ChemLawn products that contain suspected endocrine disruptors include the following: Barricade plus Fertilizer, Barricade 4FL, Barricade 65WG, Millennium Ultra, Pre-M 3.3EC, Pre-M 3.3EC plus Fertilizer, Sevin 6.3G, Sevin SL, Talstar, Talstar plus Fertilizer and Triplet.
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Writer Bio
Karen Curley has more than 18 years experience in health and nutrition, specializing in healthy food choices for families. She received USDA certification in food components, nutrient sources, food groups and infant/child nutrition, and holds a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts. Curley is also an avid gardener, home renovator, Collie breeder, dog groomer and dog trainer.
