Pesticide-use debate brews

Thursday, 04 February 2010 12:43

The New Canaan Garden Club is sponsoring a free program about lawn pesticides and its associated risks at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at St. Mark’s Church in Morrill Hall. Geared to those concerned with the health of family members, especially small children and pets, the program will address the scientific link between household chemicals, particularly pesticides, and health issues such as cancer, asthma, reproductive impairment and birth defects.

Patricia J. Wood, founder and executive director of Grassroots Environmental Education, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating about the relationship between environmental exposures and human health risks, will lead the discussion.

Wood will explore the latest scientific research linking environmental toxins, particularly those used on the lawn and in the garden, to health problems found in children and pets. Recent data suggests that each year Americans use 70 million pounds of pesticides on their lawns alone, according to a press release.

The discussion will focus on solutions to this problem, with Chip Osborne, founder and president of Osborne Organics, LLC, slated to explain the importance of soil testing and understanding soil and its biomass as well as adopting specific cultural practices to grow attractive, healthy lawns.

Osborne has worked for more than 15 years to create safe, sustainable and healthy athletic fields and landscapes.

This program is free and open to the public.

Reservations are recommended. Call 203-966-2747 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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