Team 5: Stop Toxic Chemicals & Pesticides
*Click on Links Below:
*How To Have A Pesticide Free Park Video
*Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
*Pesticides Harm Health Soils
*Pesticide, Chemical and Pollution Research Tools
*How EPA Fails to Protect from Toxic Pesticides & Chemicals
*Nontoxic Weed Control
*Nontoxic Bug Control & Repellents
*What are Pesticides?
*Stop Toxic Chemicals & PFAS
*Regenerative Farming, Permaculture, Agroecology, Organics & Healthy Soil
*Get the Lead Out
*Synthetic Turf Toxic Chemicals
*Actions You Can Take
*Bills to Support
The USA allows toxic pesticides banned in other countries to be used in our schools, parks, homes, gardens, food…
Approximately 1/3 of the annual USA pesticide use, over 300 million pounds from 85 different pesticides, are from pesticides banned in the European Union.
“Evidence is great and growing that environmental exposures, and especially exposures to manufactured chemicals, are in fact important contributors to childhood cancer. Children today are surrounded by an estimated 350,000 manufactured chemicals and chemical mixtures.”
“Leukemia incidence in the United States has increased by 21% since 1976…
brain cancer incidence by 45%…
Cancer is now the leading cause of death by disease among American children under the age of 15 years.”
“The revelations demonstrate how industry advocates established a “private social network” to counter resistance to pesticides and genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa, Europe and other parts of the world, while also denigrating organic and other alternative farming methods. More than 30 current government officials are on the membership list of the private network, most of whom are from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).”
Adopt the Malibu IPM
City of Malibu, CA Earth Friendly Management: the gold standard Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. No pesticides or synthetic fertilizers allowed!
Save lives! Stop synthetic pesticides and fertilizers!
Click the link to the City of Malibu, CA Earth Friendly Management. The Mailibu IPM is the gold standard!
Turn a dirt lot into a resilient grass playing field using natral ingredients to feed the soil.
No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers! Click on video below!
Ask your Senator to co-sponsor the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA). Petition link. Link for more info.
Bans dangerous pesticides including organophosphates, neonicotinoids and paraquat
Close loopholes that allowed pesticides to be used before they go through full health and safety reviews
Ask your representative to co-sponsor the Saving America’s Pollinators Act (SAPA). Petition link. Link for more info.
Stops the use of neonicotinoids and other pesticides hurting bees and other pollinators
Research shows pesticides are reducing pollinators…we’ve lost 89% of bumblebees over the last 20 years and numbers of monarchs have dropped by 80% since the 1990s
Pollinators are responsible for 1 of every 3 bites of food….they add $125 billion to the global economy
Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse: Dave Goulson & Anna Lappé talk about the staggering decline in insect populations, why it matters, and the connection between this loss and industrial agriculture. Click here to listen.
Glyphosate (RoundUp)
Glyphosate is now linked to "autism ... gastrointestinal issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, colitis and Crohn's disease, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, cancer, cachexia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS, among others."
The USA allows toxic pesticides banned in other countries to be used in our schools, parks, homes, gardens, food…
In 2017 & 2018, the EPA registered more than 100 pesticides with ingredients widely considered to be dangerous.
Approximately 1/3 of the annual USA pesticide use, over 300 million pounds from 85 different pesticides, are from pesticides banned in the European Union.
Pesticides Harm Health Soils
Non Toxic Communities' Online Organic Advocate Training
Click here to register
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Nontoxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
A nontoxic IPM is needed in ALL school districts, cities and counties.
IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests, or their damage, through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties without the use of toxic chemicals.
City of Malibu, CA Earth Friendly Management: the gold standard. No pesticides or synthetic fertilizers allowed.
City of Malibu Bans the Use of All Pesticides, Including Insecticides, Rodenticides in the City
City of Ojai, CA IPM. Modeled on Malibu’s Earth Friendly Management.
CleanEarth4Kids Step Up to Protect Children’s Health IPM: Step towards the Malibu IPM
City of Irvine 2021 IPM Report
Click here for list of cities, counties, parks, school districts & universities IPM policies
Click here for California Dept. of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) 2022-2023 School IPM Recordkeeping Calendar. It includes IPM resources like pests monitoring forms, recordkeeping forms and pest identification charts.
Pesticide, Chemical & Pollution Research Tools
Beyond Pesticides
Beyond Pesticides: State Pesticide Regulations & Resources
Beyond Pesticide Chemical Research Database: search by active ingredient or product name
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Environmental and Economic Costs of the Application of Pesticides Primarily in the United States
EPA Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program
Learn about toxic chemical releases and pollution prevention activities reported by industrial and federal facilities
EU Chemical Agency Product Health Data Tool
Health Effects of 30 Commonly Used Pesticides
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) - North America
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) - International
PAN Consolidated List of Banned Pesticides
Pesticide Information: by PAN. Search by active ingredient or product name
How the EPA Fails to Protect Us from Toxic Pesticides & Chemicals
Nontoxic Weed Control
DIY Alternative to RoundUp: 1 cup white vinegar, 2 tbl salt Epsom salt, 2 tsp dish soap
Controlling Weeds on Playing Fields without Herbicides
Elementary School Recruits Chickens to Tackle Cricket Invasion
Example of Tarping to Control Weeds
Guide for Using Goats to Manage Weeds in Urban Public Spaces
Utilizing Goats for Brush Control for Small Farm Sustainability
12 Reasons To Plant a Clover Lawn
Wildflower Planting Project Is Saving Taxpayers Millions in Mowing
Nontoxic Bug Control & Repellents
A few ideas to 🐝Bee 🌼🐝🌼🦋Pesticide Free. Protect you💝👦🐾. To keep spiders, ants... at bay & make your house smell amazing, use 🍊 on countertops.
😊In the back of cabinets... cinnamon sticks or a bottle of cinnamon (lid off). (Or bay leaves 🍃)
😊Closets... cedar blocks, cedar..., peppermint oil directly or cloth pouches or sachets...
😊Corners... peppermint oil or pouches of citronella, lemon grass, rosemary. Block & seal crevices & cracks. Also check door and windows seals, make sure they are tight
🌱🪴Outside, plant mint, lavender, rosemary... in the areas spiders may enter.
😊Spiders are 🐦bird food and essential a part of the food web of life, spiders eat bugs & other spiders.
😊To catch and release a spider, place a glass bowl over the spider and slide a piece of paper carefully underneath the bowl to capture the spider and then place the spider safely outside away from the house.
😊You can also purchase a special tool, a tiny spider vacuum, that supposedly will not harm the spider then place the spider outside.
💝😊🌼And, of course keep kids and 🐾 away from all repellents and tools.
🌼Here are ten plants that are commonly recognized for their mosquito-repellent qualities:
Citronella: Renowned for its strong mosquito-repellent scent. You can crush the leaves to release the fragrance or use citronella oil derived from the plant.
Lavender: Repels mosquitoes due to its floral scent. It also has a calming effect and can enhance relaxation.
Marigold: Contain a natural compound called pyrethrum which is often used in insect repellents. They have a distinct scent that repels mosquitoes and other pests.
Basil: The strong aroma of basil repels mosquitoes and can be planted in pots or garden beds.
Catnip: A member of the mint family, it contains a compound called nepetalactone which is highly effective in repelling mosquitoes. However, be aware that it may attract cats.
Peppermint: Its refreshing scent repels mosquitoes. Crush the leaves to release the fragrance or use peppermint oil diluted in water as a natural spray.
Rosemary: This aromatic herb has mosquito-repellent properties. It emits a strong fragrance that deters mosquitoes and can be grown in pots or in the garden.
Lemon balm: In the mint family, its strong lemon fragrance repels mosquitoes. Crush the leaves to release the scent or use lemon balm oil.
Geranium: Certain varieties of geraniums, such as the lemon-scented geranium have mosquito-repellent properties.
Lemon thyme: This fragrant herb has a citrus aroma. It not only repels mosquitoes but can also be used for cooking.
Please click here for the EWG Guide to bug repellants
Please Click Here for Seasonal Outdoor Cockroach Management Tips
Flea Control
Did you know that simply vacuuming is one of the best ways to control fleas? Research shows vacuuming takes care of 96% adult fleas and 100% of younger fleas!
What are pesticides?
Any chemical intended to destroy a “pest”. They are poisons and hurt much more than just “pests”. We can come in contact with them every day, from the grass we walk on to the food we eat. This constant contact can cause a number of health effects. Pesticides are linked to a range of serious illnesses and diseases from lung problems to cancer.
Common Pesticides
Herbicides (plants/weeds)
Atrazine - one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S., it is found in 94% of U.S drinking water tested by the USDA - more often than any other pesticide. It is linked to a number of serious health effects including cancer and reproduction issues like low fertility. It has been banned or is being phased out in more than 44 countries. In 2016, the state of California listed atrazine as substance known to cause reproductive toxicity.
Glyphosate - main ingredient in RoundUp. There are over 750 products containing glyphosate. Glyphosate is the most widely used agricultural pesticide worldwide. US farms alone use 300 million pounds of glyphosate per year. Declared by state of California as a carcinogen in 2017. Also linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive effects.
Dicamba -first used in 1967. Linked to developmental and reproductive issues and DNA damage. 5.6 million pounds of dicamba are used annually in the US, with almost 5 million pounds used on corn.
2,4-D - used since 1945. It is the most commonly used pesticide in the non-agricultural market and the 6th most common in agriculture with over 40 million pounds being used in the US annually. Linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive and neurotoxicity, kidney/liver damage and toxicity to dogs, fish, birds and insects.
Insecticides (insects)
Neonicotinoids - this class of neurotoxic insecticide is the most widely used insecticides in the world. Linked to widespread deaths of pollinators and damage to water life. The 3 most common neonicotinoids are imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam.
Chlorpyrifos - an organophosphate insecticide, it was introduced by Dow in 1965. It is the most widely used insecticide on crops, especially for corn, soybeans, broccoli, and apples. Also widely used in non-agricultural settings, like golf courses. Linked to neurological issues in children. For more information, please click Chlorpyrifos: The toxic pesticide harming our children and environment.
Other Pesticide Types
Rodenticides - rodents (rats and mice)
Bactericides - bacteria
Fungicides - fungi
Larvicides - larvae
How Are Pesticide Applied
Fumigation - a pesticide as a gas which completely fill an area. Often used with tarps to treat soil for fungus or a home for termites. The gas can lean out and poison nearby people and animals.
Seed coating - seeds are covered with pesticide before they are planted. The pesticide hurts health by getting into the soil and nearby water sources.
Granules - a pesticide as dried bits which release poison when they get wet. The pesticide hurts health by getting into the soil and nearby water sources.
Spraying - pesticides are sprayed as a liquid from tractors, planes or handheld equipment. Most of the pesticide misses the pest, drifting or evaporating into the air. It also gets into the soil and water, exposing people, animals and insects.
Pesticide Treated Seeds
Articles on Pesticides
10 Chemicals or Groups of Chemicals of Major Public Health Concern from the World Health Organization. Arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, dioxins & dioxin-like substances like PCBs, inadequate/excessive fluoride, lead, mercury, highly hazardous pesticides, and air pollution.
Agricultural Intensification over Last Three Decades Reduces Insect Population by 75%
Bees are Becoming 'Addicted' to the Pesticides Blamed for Wiping Them Out
Exposure to Agricultural Pesticides Increases Brain Cancer Risk up to 20%
5 of The Most Common Pesticides & Their Impact on Your Health
Cities Start to Question an American Ideal: A House With a Yard on Every Lot
Lawsuit against TruGreen Lawn Care for Deceptive Safety Claims
Major Pesticides Are More Toxic to Human Cells Than Their Declared Active Principles
Monsanto’s Big Lie About Roundup and the System That Enabled It
The Monsanto Papers: Poisoning the Scientific Well
What the Monsanto Papers tell us about Corporate Science
Organic Diet Intervention Significantly Reduces Pesticide Levels
Paraquat Papers: How Syngenta’s Bad Science Kept the World’s Deadliest Weedkiller on the Market
Parental Exposure to Pesticides, Risk of Childhood Leukemia and Central Nervous System Tumors
Prenatal and Early-life Pesticide Exposures Associated with Increased Autism Risk and Severity
Reproductive Effects Peak with Pesticide Exposure
Researchers See Health Effects Across Generations From Popular Weed Killer
US Lags Behind EU, Brazil and China in Banning Harmful Pesticides
U.S. Annually Uses 388 Million Pounds Pesticides Banned in the EU, China and Brazil
Pesticide Legislation and Policies
Map of US Pesticide Regulation Reform
California Healthy Schools Act (HSA)
California AB2816: Annual Report on HSA Implementation
Model Policy to Protect Pollinators from Harmful Pesticide Exposures
State of New York Pesticide Management for Schools and Day Care Centers
* Click on Links Below:
* Regenerative Farming, Permaculture, Agroecology, Organics & Healthy Soil
* Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
* Pesticide, Chemical and Pollution Research Tools
* How EPA Fails to Protect from Toxic Pesticides & Chemicals
* Nontoxic Weed Control
* Nontoxic Bug Control & Repellents
* What are Pesticides
* Stop PFAS & Toxic Chemicals
* Get the Lead Out
* Synthetic Turf Toxic Chemicals