Laserfiche WebLink
From:Marianne Mansfield <br />To:City Council <br />Subject:Herbicides- let there be weeds <br />Date:Sunday, February 23, 2020 5:14:19 PM <br /> Dear Louisville city council members, <br />I am writing in regards to my concerns about the pesticide use in the city of Louisville. <br />As a Decision Maker, it is imperative that you become aware of the growing body of evidence in scientific literature <br />showing that pesticide exposure can adversely affect endocrine, neurological, immune, and respiratory systems in <br />humans, even at very low levels. <br />Pesticides are designed to be toxic. The suffix ‘cide is derived from latin. It means ‘to kill’. Of the most commonly <br />used pesticides, 19 are linked with cancer, 21 with reproductive effects, 13 are linked with birth defects, 26 with <br />liver or kidney damage, 15 with neurotoxicity, and 11 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system. <br />Children are especially sensitive to pesticide exposure. Children take in more pesticides relative to their size and <br />weight, are more physical in their environment, running, touching and playing outdoors, and their bodies and brains <br />are still developing. Acute and chronic, high and low level exposures to chemicals in the environments of children <br />may cause damage during periods of special vulnerability. <br />The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated, “...Children’s exposure to pesticides should be limited as much as <br />possible.” <br />In 2016, dozens of public health experts stated in a scientific consensus statement about children's brain <br />development that, “the current system in the United States for evaluating scientific evidence and making health- <br />based decisions about environmental chemicals is fundamentally broken. To help reduce the unacceptably high <br />prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in our children, we must eliminate or significantly reduce exposures to <br />chemicals that contribute to these conditions.” <br />It is past time to stop taking baby steps and make a full commitment to eliminating the use of these toxins in <br />Louisville. The cost savings of herbicides doesn’t balance with the toll on our health. <br />You can play a key role in protecting those most vulnerable and preventing diseases linked to pesticide exposure. <br />There are proven alternatives to using toxic pesticides in our public spaces/schools/ common areas. <br />Organic land management practices are cost-effective, and are increasingly being implemented in communities <br />throughout the U.S. <br /> Examples include Harvard and Yale Universities, Irvine, California, Springfield, Massachusetts, Montgomery <br />County, Maryland, Yellow Springs, Ohio, Madison, Wisconsin and Boulder, Colorado. <br />Please find included a cost comparison report between natural organic turf and conventional below. Organic saves <br />money in the long term due to reduced inputs, including the need for less fertilizer and irrigation. <br />As a retired park and recreation professional, I am well versed on the citizen complaints of more dandelions. I whole <br />heartily encourage you to put the health of our citizens above the esthetics of our community. <br />Sincerely yours, <br />Marianne Mansfield <br />620 W. Juniper Court <br />References <br />Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database http://www.beyondpesticides.org/resources/ pesticide-induced-diseases- <br />database/overview <br />Health effects of 30 commonly used pesticides http://www.beyondpesticides.org/ <br />assets/media/documents/lawn/factsheets/30health.pdf <br />Children and Pesticides Don’t Mix http://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/ <br />documents/lawn/factsheets/Pesticide.children.dontmix.pdf <br />“Pesticide exposure in children.” Roberts, James R., and Catherine J. Karr. Pediatrics 130.6 (2012): e1765-e1788. <br />11