The Facts AboutLawn Chemicals

What CanYou Do?

When using lawn chemicals, become familiarwith a product’s toxicity and potential environ-mental impact. The following are some of thehealth risks that lawn chemicals pose tohumans, pets, wildlife and aquatic organisms.

The use of lawn chemicals accounts for themajority of wildlife poisonings reported to theEnvironmental Protection Agency.

Lawn chemicals can be absorbed through theskin, swallowed or inhaled. During application,lawn chemicals can drift and settle on ponds,laundry, toys, pools and furniture.

Even pets are at risk — studies show that therates of lymphoma in pets of pesticide usersare significantly higher than occurences in thepets of non-chemical users.

Several types of cancer, immuno-responsedeficiencies, neurological diseases, and birthdefects have been associated with exposure tolawn chemicals. By releasing chemical toxinsinto the environment, air and water qualitysuffer, ultimately causing health problems.

Lawn chemicals are the fertilizers, herbicidesand insecticides used in lawn and garden care.When lawn chemicals are applied improperly,they can run off into streams, harming fishand other animals and contaminating ourdrinking water.

Overapplication of any lawn chemical canresult in runoff that carries toxic levels ofchemicals or excessive nutrients into lakes,streams and groundwater.

Fertilizers usually contain nitrogen,phosphorous and potassium (potash).Nitrogen is an important lawn nutrient, butit can contaminate groundwater with nitrates.Phosphorous can promote excess weed growthin lakes and ponds and contaminate ground-water, while the chloride that is oftencombined with potassium in potash isalso harmful.

Some lawn chemicals threaten native flowersand grasses by harming beneficial insects thatsafely control weeds and unwanted insects.

What’s theProblem?

When lawn chemicals runWhen lawn chemicals runWhen lawn chemicals runWhen lawn chemicals runWhen lawn chemicals runoff into lakes and streams,off into lakes and streams,off into lakes and streams,off into lakes and streams,off into lakes and streams,insects and fish are harmedinsects and fish are harmedinsects and fish are harmedinsects and fish are harmedinsects and fish are harmedor killed, causing disruptionor killed, causing disruptionor killed, causing disruptionor killed, causing disruptionor killed, causing disruptionto the entire food chain.to the entire food chain.to the entire food chain.to the entire food chain.to the entire food chain.

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Good neighbors careabout clean water

Good neighbors careabout clean water

Fortunately, there are some things that youcan do to lessen the effect lawn chemicalshave on water quality:

Read labels on lawn chemicals carefully andalways apply products sparingly.

Try using compost ororganic lawn chemicalalternatives. Compo-sting creates anorganic, slow-releasefertilizer and soil-enhancing material.

Landscape with nativeplants, grasses andflower species whenever possible. A naturallawn reduces or eliminates the need for lawnchemicals.

Use caution on slopes and lawn edges sofertilizer will not wash into nearby stormsewers or waterways.

Allow proper drying time for liquidchemicals, and never use lawn chemicalsbefore a heavy rainfall is expected.

Test the soil for nutrient deficiencies beforeusing lawn chemicals.

Contact your county extension service formore information on lawn chemical use.Extension phone numbers can be found atwww.marc.org/water.

The improper use

of lawn chemicalsthreatens the

quality of our water

What is a Watershed?A watershed is an area of land that drains toa common point, such as a nearby creek, stream,river or lake. Every small watershed drains toa larger watershed that eventually flows tothe ocean.

Watersheds support a wide variety of plants andwildlife and provide many outdoor recreationopportunities. By protecting the health of ourwatersheds we can preserve and enhance thequality of life for Kansas City area residents.

What is Stormwater Runoff?Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow.It flows from rooftops, over paved streets,sidewalks and parking lots, across bare soil, andthrough lawns and storm drains. As it flows, runoffcollects and transports soil, pet waste, salt,pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, litter and otherpollutants. This water drains directly into nearbycreeks, streams and rivers, without receivingtreatment at sewage plants.

Polluted stormwater contaminates streams, riversand lakes. It can kill or damage plants, fish andwildlife, while degrading the quality of our water.

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FFFFFor more information,or more information,or more information,or more information,or more information,

visitvisitvisitvisitvisit wwwwwwwwwwwwwww.marc.org/water.marc.org/water.marc.org/water.marc.org/water.marc.org/wateror call 816/474-4240.or call 816/474-4240.or call 816/474-4240.or call 816/474-4240.or call 816/474-4240.

UseLawn Chemicals

Wisely

A typical watershed system

Good Neighbors CareAbout Clean Water

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