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"We
have subjected enormous numbers of people to contact with these
poisons, without their consent and often without their knowledge.
If the Bill of Rights contains no guarantee that a citizen shall
be secure against lethal poisons distributed either by private individuals
or by public officials, it is surely only because our forefathers,
despite their considerable wisdom and foresight, could conceive
of no such problem."
—Rachel
Carson, Silent Spring
 Homeowners
apply 140 million pounds of pesticides annually. Household pesticides
are just as dangerous as agricultural ones. Many common synthetic
home, lawn and garden pesticides have been proven to cause cancer,
birth defects, infertility, miscarriage, immune disorders and nerve
and organ damage. Children, with their small and growing bodies,
are particularly susceptible. Pesticides can also contaminate our
drinking water, seep into groundwater, poison birds and other wildlife,
and kill beneficial organisms such as earthworms. Lawn and garden
pesticides have recently been implicated in the decline of Pacific
Northwest salmon runs and other aquatic species.
 Outdoor
use of pesticides in an urban setting is particularly dangerous,
as the chemicals often drift several hundred feet, even when used
according to directions on the label. 60-90% of sprays go directly
into the surrounding air. Unfortunately, most laws related to pesticide
use are not designed to protect us from exposure. Instead, they
are written to allow as much pesticide use, with its inevitable
drift, as possible. Outdoor use of pesticides by one homeowner could
expose neighbors to toxic chemicals without their knowledge or consent.
In an effort to protect its citizens, several Canadian cities have
enacted outright bans on pesticide use (see the "Canadians
Against Pesticides" website). We hope Oregon cities will
soon follow suit.
 For
the time being, Oregon has no laws that deal directly with the problem
of drift. Fortunately, in communities such as Sunridge, we can choose
to protect ourselves and our families from dangerous chemicals.
All outdoor use of pesticides containing arsenic, cadmium, mercury,
chromium or lead, or most synthetic chemicals, is prohibited at
Sunridge. However, products made from Glyphosate, or "Roundup",
as well as several highly effective natural pesticides, are allowed
at Sunridge. Use of prohibited chemicals may result in a $1,000
penalty.
Certain
kinds of treated wood are also health hazards. Many common treated
wood products contains heavy metals and other chemicals that are
proven carcinogens, which can leach into the soil, and which can
be ingested by children and pets. Use of these products on perimeter
fencing exposes those on the other side of the fence to the chemicals.
That's why wood treated with creosote, pentachlorophenol, arsenic,
cadmium, mercury, chromium or lead is not allowed at Sunridge within
three feet of the property line.
 "Do
these bans on chemicals mean I can't have a nice yard?"
Absolutely
NOT!
Proven
"organic" methods of gardening, lawn care and pest control
have been around for a long time. They work! For those new to the
concept, there is a wealth of information available to help you
make the transition to safe, sensible pest and weed control. There
are also cost-comparable alternatives to toxic treated wood products.
For starters, try:
Click
here
to learn more Sunridge's pesticide regulations.
You'll
need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF files.
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