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At Better Life Maids, we\u2019re interested in helping people maintain a clean environment without all the toxins normally found in familiar brands of cleaning products. That\u2019s why we\u2019re known as the green cleaning experts in St. Louis, Missouri.<\/p>\n
Through our research to create an environmentally friendly green house cleaning company, we\u2019ve learned about other things that we can do to help us, our children and pets live healthier lives. We\u2019ll be sharing some of those learnings over the next few weeks as we write about how changing or eliminating various things in and around our homes can create a healthier, safer environment for all.<\/p>\n
For today\u2019s article, we\u2019re heading outside to watch the grass grow.<\/p>\n
Oh, and to talk about weed control.<\/p>\n
We Americans love our lawns. The right color, consistency, lushness \u2013 we\u2019re known to do just about anything to acquire the look we want. And that can include applying chemicals to feed it, weed it and modify the soil so those little nasties under the dirt can\u2019t munch on our grassy roots.<\/p>\n
But is there a health cost we pay to have beautiful lawns? There can be, depending upon what type of lawn care products you use. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), over 46 million pounds<\/em> of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, otherwise known as 2,4-D, is applied to lawns, playgrounds, golf courses and millions of acres used for agriculture each year.<\/p>\n Yet, despite many scientific studies that link this herbicide to hormone disruption, certain cancers, reproductive issues and other health damage, 2,4-D is still one of the top three largest selling herbicides in North America. What\u2019s even more scary \u2013 2,4-D is an ingredient found in Agent Orange, a product used by the military during the Vietnam War to clear foliage and known carcinogen. That\u2019s a bit startling.<\/p>\n The health issues mentioned can be far-reaching, affecting mother\u2019s milk, disrupting estrogen and progesterone production in women, testosterone production in men and thyroid production in both. 2,4-D has been linked to an upswing in lymphomas in areas where the pesticide is used most frequently as well as birth defects in infants.<\/p>\n While it is used commercially, 2,4-D can be found in products meant for general consumer use, such as weed and feed lawn products. Exposure to 2,4-D can mean that residue is tracked into your home, where it can stay in carpets for as long as one year, since it\u2019s not exposed to direct sunlight. Since children and pets tend to be lower to the ground, their exposure is greater than and adult\u2019s.<\/p>\n So what can you do?<\/p>\n Read labels<\/strong>: Don\u2019t buy lawn care chemicals that contain 2,4-D.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t wear shoes<\/strong> in the house<\/strong>: By removing shoes, you will track far less into your home.<\/p>\n Vacuum weekly<\/strong>: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to catch the tiny 2,4-D particles and the dust it clings to that could easily escape other vacuums.<\/p>\n Be a proactive<\/strong> neighbor<\/strong>: Alert your neighbors to this issue. Contact your local schools and parks to ask if they use this product. Request they stop if they do. Lobby locally to affect change.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re confused as to what you can use on your lawn, consider all-natural alternatives such as corn gluten. It will not kill weeds that have already grown, but will attack them at the pre-emergent level, so spring is a good time to apply it. It is non-toxic, safe for use around children, pets, grasses, helpful plants and landscaping.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At Better Life Maids, we\u2019re interested in helping people maintain a clean environment without all the toxins normally found in familiar brands of cleaning products. That\u2019s why we\u2019re known as the green cleaning experts in St. Louis, Missouri. Through our research to create an environmentally friendly green house cleaning company, we\u2019ve learned about other things […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n