County Bill Would Prohibit Use of Certain Pesticides on Lawns
A bill expected to be introduced Tuesday could have an impact on the way you take care of your lawn.
Montgomery County Council Vice President George Leventhal, who chairs the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee, is scheduled to introduce Bill 52-14 on Tuesday that seeks to prohibit use of certain pesticides on county lawns and on county properties. The bill is based upon growing concerns that long-term exposure to certain pesticides may lead to health risks, according to the county press release.
The bill is co-sponsored by Councilmember Marc Elrich. A public hearing will be held on the bill on a date yet to be determined.
Bill 52-14 also would require posting of notice for certain lawn applications of pesticides and would require the county to adopt an integrated pest management program for certain county-owned property.
Some studies have linked pesticide exposure to the health problems including birth defects; numerous cancers, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma; Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, according to a county press release.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of states have preempted local jurisdictions from regulating pesticides, there are only two examples of local jurisdictions that have banned pesticide use on public and private property. The City of Takoma Park in Montgomery County and Ogunquit, Maine, have approved regulations on certain pesticides. Several local jurisdictions have enacted legislation or adopted administrative policies related to pesticide reduction on public property.
“This bill is aimed at protecting the health of families, and especially children, from the unnecessary risks associated with the use of certain cosmetic pesticides that have been linked to a wide-range of diseases, and which provide no health benefits,” said Council Vice President Leventhal. “This is a bill that balances the rights of homeowners to maintain a beautiful lawn with the rights of residents who prefer to not be exposed to chemicals that have known health effects. I view this bill as a starting point in our discussion, which can be tweaked along the way.”
The bill requires the following:
1) Require the posting of notice when a property owner applies a pesticide to an area of
lawn more than 100 square feet, consistent with the notice requirements for when a
landscaping business treats a lawn with a pesticide;
2) Require the Executive to designate a list of “non-essential” pesticides including:
• all pesticides classified as “Carcinogenic to Humans” or “Likely to Be Carcinogenic
to Humans” by the u.s. EPA;
• all pesticides classified by the U.S. EPA as “Restricted Use Products;”
• all pesticides classified as “Class 9” pesticides by the Ontario, Canada, Ministry of
the Environment;
• all pesticides classified as “Category 1 Endocrine Disruptors” by the European
Commission; and
• any other pesticides which the Executive determines are not critical to pest
management in the County.
3) Generally prohibit the application of non-essential pesticides to lawns, with exceptions
for noxious weed and invasive species control, agriculture and gardens, and golf courses;
4) Require the Executive to conduct a public outreach and education campaign before and
during the implementation ofthe Bill;
5) Generally prohibit the application of non-essential and neonicotinoid pesticides to
County-owned property; and
6) Require the County to adopt an Integrated Pest Management program.
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I appreciate that the bill appears to be based on science and targets pesticides (bug-killers) that usually disrupt the central nervous system rather than herbicides (weed-killers), which can be safe if used properly..
actualy this bill does target herbicides I.e.pesticides. These chemicals are designed to kill organic organisms. In this case weeds.but to think that something formulated to kill one organic organism is not harmful to others is foolish!the fact of the matter is that all weed killers ” herbicides ” are one of two things if not both. They are either a neurotoxin or a carcinogen. Even in mild exposures they are harmful!
When smaller beings such as pets and children are exposed these chemicals the concentrations in their systems is much higher as their bodies are much smaller and less able to metabolize and excrete these chemicals. These chemicals have also been linked to both physical and developmental problems. These chemicals are most commonly absorbed into the system through the skin as well as oral ingestion. If you think about it, young children are always putting hands and toys into their mouths. And pets such as dogs, are always liking their paws. If they have been on s recently treated lawn, even if dry, the residue of these chemicals accumulate on the surfaces which they are playing. Furthermore pesticides are poisoning wildlife and even waterways through storm run-off .furthermore up to four times more pesticides are used on the average acer of residential lawn than is used on the average acer of agricultureal land we are simply poisoning our selfs.our loved ones and our environment in the name of a pretty lawn! The fact of the matter is that we can have that pretty lawn without the chemicals.
Three cheers for Councilmembers Leventhal and Elrich for sponsoring this bill. This is a great step in the right direction.