The Northender (Oyster Bay, N.Y.)  [Printer-friendly version]
July 14, 2006

PESTICIDE-FREE LAWNS DECREASE THE DANGER OF BREAST CANCER

[Rachel's introduction: "The whole idea is the precautionary
principle," says Ms. Fiteni. "If you don't need to use these
pesticides, why are we doing so when there are these more natural
alternatives that you can use?"]

A group of health advocates gathered with Huntington [N.Y.] Town
Councilwoman Glenda A. Jackson this week to mark "Prevention is the
Cure" week, a week devoted to highlighting ways in which women can
protect themselves against breast cancer.

Councilwoman Jackson sponsored the forum with the Neighborhood
Network (an environmental group dedicated to protecting and enhancing
Long Island's natural resources), the Huntington Breast Cancer Action
Coalition (HBCAC), and the Town's Women's Advisory Council. The
focus was to highlight ways in which pesticides, which many scientists
believe can cause can cancer, can be avoided. A power point
presentation was conducted to illustrate a program called "4 Steps to
a Toxic-Free Organic Lawn".

"Essentially, we're saying that we know that these things can cause
cancer in animal tests. As environmentalists, we're operating on the
assumption that if it can cause cancer in them, it can cause cancer in
us, so why are we putting them on our lawns to kill a weed?" says Beth
Fiteni, Program Director of Neighborhood Network.

A description of the four steps to an organic lawn can be found on the
Neighborhood Network's website. The steps consist of smart lawn
maintenance, promoting soil life, adding "soil amendments", and pest
control.

Maintenance practices can include avoiding over-watering and mowing
lawns higher to deprive weed seeds of sunlight and to increase
photosynthesis. The remaining three principles include eliminating
toxins from the lawn-tending process and instead utilizing compost and
organic fertilizers, lawn enhancers and pest control. Neighborhood
Network's website contains a directory of landscapers throughout the
Island who use organic methods.

"The whole idea is the precautionary principle," says Ms. Fiteni. "If
you don't need to use these pesticides, why are we doing so when there
are these more natural alternatives that you can use? It's just a
matter of educating people."

"Like many of us here this afternoon, I have been touched by Breast
Cancer in my family," Councilwoman Jackson was quoted as saying in a
press release about the event. "Long Island women in particular have a
much higher risk of developing breast cancer than in most other parts
of the country. It is vitally important during Prevention Is the Cure
Week to recognize ways in which women can protect themselves from this
devastating disease."

"It has been a pleasure for the Division of Women's Services to work
with Councilwoman Jackson, Neighborhood Network and HBCAC in a united
effort to keep our community pesticide free," Rhonda Shephardson,
Director of Women's Services for the Town, said in the press release.

Ms. Shephardson also said that more research needs to be devoted to
potential links between pesticides and breast cancer.

Copyright 2006 Northender.com