Why are landscape pesticide applicators scared stiff of the Precautionary Principle.
Just mention it and watch them reach into their bag of deception. It appears there is a stock answer comparing risk assessment of toxic chemical pesticides use to normal decisions made driving a car, as though that is similar risk.
That is as though any of us have any knowledge, IF we are being exposed to the barrage of chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides used in landscape by conventional control companies.
Such ignorance is promulgated even in reference to the National Institute of Health Strategic Plan. ” Nowhere in the NIH Strategic Plan did they mention the Precautionary Principle.” What is conveniently ignored is if there was any peer reviewed published research on chemical pesticides herbicides or fungicides causing adverse health effects in the past to humans in particular to children.Obviously there is science on low dose toxicity exposure and health effects that really requires the Precautionary Approach to our health when it comes to chemical pest control agents. That is what led to the NIH strategic plan.
Because some pesticides that effect insects neurological or endocrine function may not be selective and may affect humans.
That is what the NIH strategic plan discusses in terms of low dose and ” windows of vulnerability.”
Therefore based on so much valid science which is conveniently ignored, the situation we have facing us is that chemical pest control products which are being used, are not necessarily proven safe until hazards and adverse health effects are demonstrated. That is called reactionary as opposed to what we advocate which is precautionary. That is too late. How many children getting sick is enough!
All of us should demand a detailed study of MSDS sheets of all chemical products used where we live, work or send our children to school or play. The reasonable goal is to use the least toxic alternatives.
You just never know. A recent UCLA study linking Parkinson’s onset to exposure from drift of certain pesticides and fungicides was published . These were EPA approved use products so legal to use yet Parkinson’s was developed in a group of people (362 victims) who happened to live near to the treated area
Now the pest control company may say that those chemicals implicated in the cause of Parkinson’s Disease are not used currently in residential landscape maintenance . But that is not the point.
It is the Precautionary Principle we need on all chemicals! Prove the products have No Observed Adverse Effects Level (NOAEL) in risk assessment. Why should anyone have accept ANY RISK to our health by chemical pesticide exposure. Who is the Big Brother deciding what RISK is acceptable to us and our family.
No Chemical pesticides fungicides or herbicides should be used unless scientifically the chemical can be proven safe – totally safe
To not do so places all of us at risk something we have to object to, as allowing our children or grandchildren to get sick from unnecessary exposure to toxic lawn pest control products is an unacceptable risk .
Indeed the history of DDT, Temik (Aldicarb) and organo-phosphate pesticides and organo-chlorine pesticides and others once approved for use but later found as harmful, is the history of chemical pesticide use and practice. That is unacceptable.
That is especially unacceptable especially after having read the UCLA research linking Parkinson’s Disease onset to certain chemical fungicides and herbicides .
As I stated a detailed and professional study of all MSDS sheets of all chemical pest control products should be done as a Precautionary Approach to protect our health.
If there are grandparents and parents of young children among you please read the research compilation called A Generation in Jeopardy on this site, which discusses how pesticides and children health have been affected
We can improve this practice and eliminate the use of any chemical pesticide herbicide or fungicide that is not proven safe.A detailed review of MSDS sheets ( Material Safety Data Sheets) can begin to accomplish that.
Eventually this will become standard operating procedure as there are just too many children getting seriously ill, sadly too much disease which may be preventable- if we act now. As the scientists in the 2010 National Cancer Institute report called Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk, they wrote : “We Know Enough to ACT now !”
That’s it . Read the research on pesticides and linkage to disease on this site. It is important
APP Advocate Precautionary Principle 
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