The FoxNews article, Pesticides on Playing Fields, discusses the effects of pesticides on playing fields used by children.

Because spring and summer sporting activities are often more crowded than other times of year, pesticides used on playing fields pose an even greater risk because of increased exposure. However, no amount of exposure should go unnoticed.

Exposure occurs when lawn care products are inhaled and picked up by skin, clothing, and shoes. The fact that the chemicals are applied outdoors does little to reduce their effect: "Chemical lawn treatments can linger for many days before the weather and sun begin to dilute their potency." In addition, with packed schedules, less time goes by between application of lawn care products and children's sporting events.

These chemicals are highly toxic. Remember that they are designed to kill living things like weeds, bugs, and fungus – and poison is poison. According to Beyond Pesticides, "of the 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 13 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 15 with neurotoxicity and 11 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal system)."

In addition, many lawn care products specifically warn on their own labels that they can trigger allergy and asthma attacks.

A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study found pesticide residue in the bodies of 15 percent of tested children ages 3 to 7. Alarmingly, broken-down products used in organophosphate pesticides were detected in over 98 percent of children tested.

Herbicide 2, 4-D, among others, can be extremely toxic, even at low doses, and may increase cancer risk and lead to neurological and reproductive problems. When brought indoors on clothing or shoes, 2, 4-D can remain in carpets for up to an entire year.

So what can be done about exposure to these pervasive chemicals? There are safer lawn treatment options available, many of which are cost effective. In addition, FoxNews offers the following tips in the article:

• When arriving home after practice or a game, make sure children remove clothes promptly.


• Wash sporting clothes separately, and promptly.


• Wash hands immediately, and shower as soon as possible.


• Familiarize yourself with pesticide laws in your area. See Beyond Pesticides.


• Join with other parents and bring your concerns to your local officials and petition them to adopt a pesticide-free sports fields program. Municipalities and school districts have the ability to implement their own policies on pesticide use.