Title: USA health concerns with herbicides puts the pressure on for more bans
[The Denver Post 10 Feb 2013 by Colleen O'Connor] -- Turf wars are flaring in Colorado, pitting people who prize pristine, weed-free lawns against those who want an organic, chemical-free lifestyle. The battle is so pitched that local lawn-and-garden pros fear that a Canadian-style ban on pesticides and herbicides looms ... The American Academy of Pediatrics added fuel to the fire last month with a policy statement that linked prenatal and early-childhood exposure to chemical pesticides with pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function and behavioral problems. "It's one of the most contentious issues you can ever imagine," said Paul Tukey, founder of SafeLawns, an advocacy organization for natural lawn care. In Colorado, municipalities — including Boulder and Durango — have changed policies in response to residents worried about health consequences of synthetic pesticides. They're focused on eliminating chemical controls of weeds and insects in public parks and playgrounds, and proponents say such programs prove there are ways to both protect health and keep landscapes lovely. The University of Colorado doesn't use chemicals to treat turf in its open spaces or fields. Compost tea is used to fertilize, and weeds are hand-pulled. Outdoor-services manager Don Inglis said the change was made in response to students wondering "why we were using herbicides on campus when we are one of the leaders in the green industry, from the university standpoint." ${imageDescription} Comment
The city of Boulder, considered a national leader in integrated pest management, is launching a program that will designate some city-owned parks and open space as pesticide-free. "We've learned that turf is manageable without pesticides, but it does take time and effort," said Rella Abernathy, the city's integrated-pest-management coordinator. The new program formalizes one that has been in use for a decade to manage about 650 acres of turf in parks and along greenways, the Pearl Street Mall and the Municipal Complex. There are six city parks where only organic fertilizer is used.
Playing fields at Stazio, Pleasant View and East Mapleton parks are proof of how effective the program is, Abernathy said. "Some good examples are our tournament-level ball fields, which we think are as good as any on the Front Range," she said.
The city also has used manual cultivation, mostly by volunteers, to control the spread of the noxious weed Mediterranean sage on city open space. The weed, required by state law to be eradicated, is widespread over 20,000 acres in Boulder County.
Durango tries partial ban
In Durango, after parents worried about their kids' health packed city meetings demanding change, the city is experimenting with a partial ban of chemical pesticides. The council voted unanimously against a total ban of synthetic pesticides but then worked out a compromise that in September created the Organically Managed Lands Program. Nine city parks fall under the program, including neighborhood parks, greenway parks, elementary-school playgrounds and athletic fields. The goal is to have the pilot program launched this spring ... Many people on this side of the debate point to Ontario, Canada, which since Earth Day 2009 has banned the use of synthetic chemicals for cosmetic control of weeds and pests in landscaping. Canada's toughest ban is in Ontario, but Quebec started the trend in 2003 with its ban on lawn pesticides, according to the David Suzuki Foundation. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island also have restrictions on the cosmetic use of synthetic pesticides.
