The questionable realities of pesticide registration and regulation

Chances are, if you're reading this blog (like us), then you're a believer and practitioner of natural lawn care.  Each of us knows that beautiful, healthy lawns don't need to be a product of dangerous chemicals; but, rather from what Mother Nature intended.  

Unfortunately, we know that the use of dangerous pesticides is a common practice.  But, one thing you might not know is the questionable realities of how private companies and our federal government register and regulate them.  

Here's some sobering facts from Beyond Pesticides, who works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides:

The registration system and pesticide regulation

• The health data assessed by EPA for the registration of pesticides comes from the manufacturer of the pesticide. EPA is not obligated under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to review peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• The U.S. GAO has told Congress on several occasions that the public is misled on pesticide safety by statements characterizing pesticides as “safe” or “harmless.” EPA states that no pesticide is 100 percent safe. (1)
• Pesticide testing protocol was developed before science fully understood the human immune and hormonal system. EPA still does not evaluate data for several neurological effects or disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system.
• EPA does not evaluate the health and environmental effects of actual pesticide formulations sold on the shelf. Data submitted to the EPA also does not account for low-dose effects, synergistic effects with inerts or combined exposure to more than one pesticide at a time.
• Most states have preemption laws that prohibit localities from passing local pesticide-related ordinances that are stricter than the state policy. (2)

Stay natural.  Stay above pesticides.  Share your thoughts about how you stay natural.  

Sources

(1) U.S. GAO. 1997. Nonagricultural Pesticides: Risks and Regulations. GAO/RCED-86-97; EPA. 2002. Questions and Answers: Pesticides and Mosquito Control. Department of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/pesticides4mosquitos.htm (accessed 7/2/04).

(2) Beyond Pesticides Factsheet. 2005. State Preemption Laws.