Lawn Care Chemicals & Their Effects on Humans

Lawn care chemicals are often used to maintain a green, healthy lawn that is free of bugs. However, these products are not natural and contain chemicals that can have negative effects on humans.

Function

Lawn care chemicals go beyond Miracle Grow. They include dozens of products, including fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and more. They are available at garden centers and typically used by conventional lawn care services.

Considerations

While lawn care chemicals may make your lawn green and insect-free, they are toxic and can pose a threat to your health. Humans and pets can be poisoned by lawn chemicals if they are present when the chemicals are applied, touch the treated lawn, or ingest grass that has been contaminated.

Effects

If lawn care chemicals enter your body, they can cause a sore throat, skin burns or rashes, coughing, muscle pain, fatigue, dizziness, eye irritation, nausea, headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Drinking water

Lawn care products can enter the water supply and can contaminate wells and other public drinking sources. More than half of the most commonly-used lawn care products have been detected in ground water.

Prevention and solution

Avoid exposure to lawn care products when the chemicals are applied. Carefully monitor pets and children when they are playing on the treated lawn, as chemicals are still harmful even when dry.

Alternatives

If you'd prefer to avoid using fertilizers altogether, all-natural lawn services and products serve as an organic alternative.

References

• Organic Landscape
• Eartheasy