Safer Pest Control Project

09/24/2009

In the Garden - At Harvard, the Grass Is Greener, Thanks to Organic Projects - NYTimes.com

Natural lawn care works and works well! This article about Harvard's project highlights an organic lawn thriving on naturally derived inputs. It's time we moved past quick fix solutions to lawn problems and used a sustainable approach that restores soil integrity, protects our health and preserves the environment.

The grass at Harvard University is now being grown organically, without the use of synthetic nitrogen, the base of most commercial fertilizers.

08/31/2009

ComEd massacre -- chicagotribune.com

The Chicago Tribune condemns ComEd's brush- and tree-clearing work for its unsightly aftermath, but fails to consider the health and environmental impacts of the pesticides used.

Northfield Village Manager Stacy Alberts Sigman helped bring about a temporary halt to brush- and tree-clearing work being done by ComEd crews. (Tribune photo by Stacey Wescott / August 19, 2009)

08/26/2009

EPA Fails to Inform Public About Weed-Killer in Drinking Water | The Huffington Post Investigative F

Atrazine—an herbicide widely used in agriculture—has shown up in some Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kansas drinking water systems at levels that exceed federal standards.

One of the nation’s most widely-used herbicides has been found to exceed federal safety limits in drinking water in four states, but water customers have not been told and the Environmental Protection Agency has not published the results.

08/18/2009

Popular herbicide more deadly to liver cells than its active chemical alone. — Environmental Health

French researchers recently found that glyphosate-based herbicides, when combined with so-called “inert” ingredients, can disrupt human liver cell function at very low doses. While safety testing performed on glyphosate alone, as required under federal law, shows few toxicity concerns, researchers are increasingly finding human health risks from glyphosate products as packaged and sold to consumers.

Very low doses of some types of the herbicide Roundup can disrupt human liver cell function; the formulations' toxicity may be tied to their "inactive" ingredients rather than the active weed-killing ingredient glyphosate.

08/12/2009

Pesticides in your peaches: Tribune and USDA studies find pesticides, some in excess of EPA rules, i

Six pesticides found on peaches are not approved for use on the fruit in the U.S. and five pesticides exceeded limits set by the EPA. Read today's article from the Chicago Tribune.

As we munch into the fragrant core of peach season, shoppers face an array of choices for the same fuzzy fruit but little guidance on which type to pick. Expensive organic? Pricey farmers market? Cheap peaches from the grocery store?Cost is certainly important. ...

08/06/2009

AFP: Common insect repellent affects nervous system: study

How safe is your mosquito repellent? Recent work has found that DEET is harmful to the nervous system, acting similarly to some insecticides and nerve gases.

PARIS — One of the world's most common insect repellents acts on the central nervous system in the same way as some insecticides and nerve gases, according to a study released on Wednesday.

08/05/2009

AFP: Study finds pesticide link to childhood leukemia

New research has found that pesticides are linked to childhood leukemia.

WASHINGTON — Patients with childhood leukemia have elevated levels of household pesticides in their urine, according to a new study by the Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

07/17/2009

Safer Pest Control Project - Event Details

Bed bugs are back in a big way! Come to our workshop on July 29th to learn how to protect your property from this emerging threat. Please forward the information on to anyone who might be interested or has contact with others that might be interested.

This workshop is for managers of hotels and resident facilities such as apartment building and dormitories.Come learn the history of bed bugs and their recent reemergence, how to control them using least ...

07/15/2009

Op-Ed Columnist - It’s Time to Learn From Frogs - NYTimes.com

Should we be worried about endocrine disrupting chemicals? Read New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's excellent summary of the worrying evidence.

Scientists are beginning to find a connection between bizarre deformities in water animals and abnormalities in humans.

06/08/2009

Wired Science . Video: What's Inside Your Garden? | PBS

Every wonder what's in commercial synthetic fertilizers? Both everyday and unexpected (frightening) things. Watch this short, entertaining video for an eye opening inside look.

02/05/2009

SPCP's lawn care workshops help schools, businesses, organizations and the city to transition their lawns to Natural Lawn Care.

12/22/2008

Our 2nd annual Ladybug Bash was a great success. It was wonderful to see many of our long-standing supporters along with so many new faces.

11/28/2007

Safer Pest Control Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives in Illinois.