Pesticides on Playing Fields

Kids grow like weeds and both children and weeds may be vulnerable to weed killers.

Most American lawns are intensely sprayed with chemicals. For kids who play outdoor sports, playing fields can deliver a dose of toxins.

Pesticides on playing fields may cause asthma and allergies to flare up.  Some exposures can also increase risk of cancer or other serious health outcomes. Children are uniquely vulnerable to pesticides because they are smaller, yet they eat and breathe more per body weight than adults and their immune systems are less developed. Plus, kids are simply growing.

"The growing body is full of exquisitely delicate biological processes that are susceptible to disruption," says Jonathan Kaplan, senior policy specialist with NRDC.

Herbicides like 2, 4-D, part of the ingredient list for Agent Orange, are widely used to control weeds. It's so poisonous, groups like NRDC want an outright ban on lawn care uses. Yet it's one of the most widely sold lawn care chemicals.  2,4-D is often packaged in a mix with fertilizer in "weed and feed" products, encouraging applications of the material even when weeds aren't a problem.

Chemicals sprayed outside can linger for many days before they are broken down by weather and sunlight. So regular spraying combined with a busy schedule of games and practices means kids and chemicals mix. If kids are playing sports on fields, they're likely to get pesticides on their hands, shoes and clothes. These residues can be tracked indoors where, sheltered from weather and sunlight, they 're likely to linger for much longer periods  -- possibly spanning many months.  Pesticides tracked indoors can then circulate throughout the indoor environment.

No sport played on a sprayed field is likely to be exposure free.  Tackle sports like football and rugby obviously bring kids in steady contact with grass and dirt. But even non-contact sports like soccer result in kids rolling around on the ground. Golf courses are notoriously pesticide-intensive. 

Not all pesticides are equal and switching from high-risk chemicals like 2,4-D to safer products is an obvious way to reduce risks.  Even better is to abandon chemical sprays altogether. Building up a healthier lawn through good nutrient management and soil care can keeps weeds at bay without harmful chemicals. Or you can just let weeds join the game.

"A few weeds on your athletic fields aren't going to hurt your kids. Mow the weeds and let the kids play," says Dr. Gina Solomon, senior scientist at NRDC.

To reduce exposure to herbicides used on playing fields, take off shoes before entering the house and always wash hands before eating. Take off athletic clothes and wash them separately from other loads. Avoid "Weed 'n Feed." It contains 2, 4-D, a highly toxic acid. Buy fertilizers without herbicides added.	Learn more about pesticides and how to manage lawns without chemicals at Beyond Pesticides. Read about safe lawn care from Pesticide Action Network and steer clear of chemicals on your grass at home. Armed with this information, send a letter to your school or city and ask them to switch to less toxic pesticides or to implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.	Work with your local school, city or parks department to manage playing fields without toxic chemicals. Follow the City of San Francisco's example for a model on how to create an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Help get your playing fields certified for IPM. Build up the field's natural defense system against weeds. Don't overmow, watch soil compaction, and balance nutrients. With some TLC, lawns and sports fields can help fend off weeds.

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