Jacquelyn Bordeaux

English 102

Professor J. Van

Final Paper

3 December, 1998

Danger in the Garden…

The urban family is proud of their immaculate garden and neatly manicured and pristine backyard. They feel proud when guests visit and comment on the vibrant, green grass, the weed free flowerbeds and garden and the lust tomatoes on the vine. It is delightful to watch the children roll around and play on the lawn without worry of them being bitten by ants, fleas or other distasteful insects. Best of all, is the delight of the children when they can pick the vegetables right out of the garden for dinner. The entire family loves the fresh vegetables and prides themselves on having raised the carrots, beans, and tomatoes themselves. Sounds ideal, eh? Alas, reality is the pristine backyard is a veritable toxic wasteland since pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are routinely dumped on the lawn in an effort to maintain the weed and pest free yard. Additionally, the garden vegetables are loaded with the most recent "bug spray" application that has been absorbed into the vegetables. These toxins have been found to cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, etc. Therefore upon reflection, the above-mentioned scene is more of a nightmare than a dream. The Institute of Medicine has conclusive evidence linking herbicide use to cancer (Turner-Lowe 1). The exposure may be minor in the produce that we grow and eat from our chemically treated garden; the cumulative effects are significant. The effect of continually ingesting foods with toxins within is what may eventually create some forms of cancer. Many fungicides and herbicides contain orgaanochlorines, which collect and remain in the fatty tissues of human for long periods of time.

Pesticides are toxic and can poison humans. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of pesticide exposure. Yet we continue to use large amounts of these toxins to eradicate pest problems. Frequently children are poisoned by pesticides. Also, fetuses absorb these toxins in the womb and are extremely vulnerable in this developmental stage. Significant deformities have occurred in fetuses that were exposed to chemicals. Additionally, fetuses that are exposed to toxins found in man made pesticides have sustained damage to their thyroid. This has led to hydrocephalus, seizures, neurological abnormalities and cerebral palsy (Allva, Brock, et al. 3).

To be aware of the dangers of these toxins and to avoid them is monumentally important to the wellbeing of the fetus. By continuing to use pesticides in their gardens and/or not buying or growing organic produce, pregnant women are endangering their unborn child.

Insecticides seem so convenient when raced with an unwanted pest. It is frustrating to share our space with insects that annoy us, damage our gardens and sometimes even seem to "take over" our yards. However, we must consider alternatives to insecticides, which are a toxic substance that can damage the health of humans. Babies have been born with major malformations after being exposed to insecticides (Schardein 600).

Some people feel that the low levels of toxicity involved in the use of these products will not be great enough to have any impact upon their health. The mentality is, "it must be safe, after all it has been tested and allowed to be used by the EPA". However, this is an ignorant assumption. Especially when one considers that one-fifth of the total volume of pesticides applied to lawns and gardens are considered potential human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Robinson 1).

So, what we end up with is a lot of dangerous chemical that can and do harm us, yet we take the risks lightly since the EPA has allowed it to be used. This sort of herd mentality must end. What is particularly troublesome about this view is the harsh reality of how lulled into ignorant complacency the American public is. The truth behind the EPA is disconcerting and alarming. The very manufacturer who seeks to profit form the finding that the chemical is indeed safe and non-toxic to humans conducts many of the tests done. It does not take a rocket scientist to recognize the corporate sponsored testing and the likely influence the profit motive will have over the study’s findings. Another astonishing and little known point regarding the EPA is that the organization considers all chemicals to be safe unless they happen to be tested and found to be toxic (Fagin 1-2).

Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides cause cancer, infertility and birth defects. A host of other health problems have been linked to these chemicals as well. Our bodies are damaged by exposure to these toxins and the wisest course of action is to avoid them as much as possible.

The conflict arises because we all want the pristine yard and/or garden and thus are easily enticed to apply heavily marketed chemicals that promise to deliver our weed free and pest free dream. But, this results in health risks an environmental damage. Therefore we must begin using natural and organic techniques to combat pest rather than toxins. The gardener can avoid being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Organic gardening measures will meet our needs for beautiful gardens and produce, as well as protect the environment and our health.

There is a growing trend with the United States to purchase organically grown produce. Gardeners and the general public alike are recognizing the importance of avoiding toxins and eating organically grown produce. Simple organic techniques can effectively resolve common gardening problems such as plant disease, weeds and pest invasions. One technique used for plant disease and pests is to spray soap and water solution directly onto infected leaves and then rinses the leaves off. This will rid plants of many types of pests if performed regularly. The reward is toxin-free vegetables to dine on and no damage to the environment.

The best way to combat weeds in an organic method is through mulching. Grass clippings are an easily accessible form of mulch that can be spread in 2 to 4 inch depths over the soil (Mather 3). This will stop further weeds from growing and kill the existing weeds by blocking sunlight. So, by mulching, the gardener can rid his garden of weeds and participate in saving the planet and protecting his health.

By practicing organic gardening, the gardener will produce vegetables, fruits and herbs that are free of toxins. However, convenience is a big concern of the modern day gardener. She is accustomed to simply spraying on a pesticide or herbicide to eradicate disease and pest problems. I concede that this does seem a lot easier than many of the organic techniques such as hand picking bugs off the plants and/or spraying hand mixed soap and water solutions on the polnats an them wiping it off. However, with a little education of the health risks and toxic exposure she endures, as well as the virtual poisoning of her garden through the "convenient" methods, she may be willing to spend a few more minutes using the organic methods to combat these gardening challenges.

Some people would argue that most organic gardening measures are not very effective and one’s garden will suffer from the lack of usage of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. They are concerned that their plants and produce will be disease ravaged and yield a poor crop. They may have even tried a few organic techniques and found these to be ineffective. Additionally, they may content that the small amounts of these chemicals used in the typical garden are insignificant and will not impact the environment or the produce derived from the plant enough to matter.

I will agree that there is certainly a benefit to using pesticides sparingly over the gardener who applies pesticides and herbicides with reckless abandon at the first sighting of a bug. But, even a small amount of a carcinogen is still a toxin that will be absorbed into the plants that produce vegetables for human consumption. One must recognize that many of these toxins build up in the fat cells of humans, and so even a small amount of a pesticide or herbicide could damage their health. Further, the chemical that is applied will have some fun off into the soil and be absorbed into nearby water if it drifts. Also, learning and implementing organic gardening measures is not an overnight process. It requires some patience and trial and error to determine what will resolve each gardeners challenge. Again though, when one considers the trade off of a little more time and effort spent versus ingesting dangerous toxins and damaging the environment, it becomes clear which is the wisest occurs of action.

I propose that the EPA provide regulations and guidelines for the use of all pesticides, herbicides and fungicides used. This can be accomplished by educating the public, penalizing misuse of toxins, and providing financial incentives for implementing organic techniques. The EPA should implement strict regulations and guidelines for the commercial distribution of toxins, then the home gardener will not so easily find the toxic pesticide on the store shelves. Thus she will be more likely to consider natural alternative s to gardening pests. If the easier pesticide solution is not so readily available, perhaps the gardener will be more willing to handpick pests off the plants or even live with a less than sanitized garden or yard.

By educating the public of the dangers of toxins, we will create a greater awareness of the health and environmental risks that accompany their use(Reccomendations 3). Educating the public can be accomplished through hospitals, media and schools. It should be a mandatory requirement that all women visiting obstetricians and parents visiting pediatric doctors be given brochures regarding the dangers of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides to their fetuses and/or children. Also, school health classes should be required to offer a unit regarding the dangers of toxins and detrimental effects to the health of humans and the environment. Lastly, the EPA should conduct an educational ad campaign involving televised commercials, billboard and radio spots encouraging organic measures and pointing out the effects of toxins upon the health of individual and the environment.

By penalizing the misuse of toxins, we will create a level of discomfort associated with the use of these chemical irresponsibly. Some may object and feel that an individual has the right to use whatever they want in their garden as they own the land and after all it is a democratic nation! However, all people have a right to a safe and healthy environment with food and communities free from toxic chemicals. Also, we must protect and care for the land as a public and not indulge an individuals whims when it comes to the overall safety of the majority (Socialists 1). Just like a speeding ticket is a great disincentive to speed, so would be a steep fine for the unauthorized use of toxin by a great discourager of reckless and irresponsible use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. So, if someone is reported and found to be using a chemical without having first obtained a permit, they should be fined by the local government as they are not only endangering themselves, but their neighbors and the environment too.

By providing financial incentives, we will motivate the corporate and private sectors to learn and implement organic techniques. If an individual applied for a permit to use chemicals in their gardens, and after reviewing the educational material given to them decides to implement organic methods rather than chemical treatment, they would be rewarded with a $100 payment if they provided documentation of the measures after they had been implemented. Additionally, since there is tremendous pressure on politicians to allow the continued use of chemical pesticides by corporations manufacturing these toxins (Goldburg 11), we will need to financially reward chemical manufacturers for developing and promoting organic products for garden/lawn use. This could be accomplished by offering tax breaks to corporations that produced and marketed organic lawn and garden products and the tax breaks could increase commensurately with increased sales of these organic products.