For millions of homeowners, mowing, edging and weeding have become a weekend ritual. Some of us love...

1. Is Your Green Lawn Healthy?
For millions of homeowners, mowing, edging and weeding have become a weekend ritual. Some of
us love it and some hate it--but we all love the look of a manicured lush green lawn.
Unfortunately, the lawn care products used to achieve that picturesque House and Gardenimage can
also be hazardous to your family's health, your pet's health and the environment.
Each
year,
homeow
ners
purchas
e
approxi
mately
100
million
pounds
of
conventional weed and pesticide control products that contain toxic chemical ingredients.
According to Beyond Pesticides, "Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 have studies pointing
toward carcinogens, 13 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 15 with
neurotoxicity, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 27 are sensitizers and/or irritants, and 11 have the
potential to disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system."
Pregnant women, infants and children, the aged and the chronically ill are at greatest risk from
pesticide exposure and chemically induced immune-suppression, which can increase susceptibility to
cancer.
Scientific studies find pesticide residues such as the weed killer 2,4-D and the insecticide carbaryl
inside homes, due to drift and track-in, where they green grass contaminate air, dust, surfaces and
carpets and expose children at levels ten times higher than preapplication levels."
Just as with toxic household cleaners, children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic chemicals
used in lawn care products, because of close-to-the ground play and frequent hand-to-mouth activity.
The same holds true when it comes to man's best friend. Dogs and cats are highly susceptible to
chemical poisoning caused by lawn care products because their nose and mouth are so close to the
ground and the way they groom themselves.
Fortunately, as environment and health conscious consumers continue to fuel the "green" revolution,
market demand for organic lawn care companies are sprouting up all over the country and the
availability of non-toxic, eco-friendly products are making their way onto garden center shelves.

2. Whether you handle lawn care yourself or use a service, homeowners can protect themselves, their
children and pets by simply choosing safe eco-friendly lawn care products.
Here are a few tips for "greening" your own little piece of paradise:
If you use a lawn care service, discuss using organic methods, or choose a service that specifically
uses least-toxic methods.
Use an organic-based (versus chemical-based) fertilizer.
Spray or pour vinegar directly on weeds, about 3 or 4 tablespoons per gallon of water.
Control pests by spraying a little dishwashing liquid and water on problem areas.
Use an electric mower instead of gas to reduce pollution and set the blades at 3" height.
Click here for a complete guide to non-toxic pest control.
Deirdre Imus is the Founder and President of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric
Oncology (r) at Hackensack University Medical Center and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Imus
Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. Deirdre is the author of four books, including three national
bestsellers. She is a frequent speaker on green living and children's health issues, and is a
contributor to FoxNewsHealth.com. For more information go to www.dienviro.com
Deirdre Imus, Founder of the site devoted to environmental health, dienviro.org, is President and
Founder of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center(TM) at Hackensack  University Medical
Center and Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. She is a New
York Times best-selling author and a frequent contributor to FoxNewsHealth.com, and Fox Business
Channel. Check out her website at dienviro.org. 'Like' her Facebook page here.