A community task force has examined pesticide use in the area school districts and in city and county governments. We are working with other environmental groups throughout Houston, Texas and the rest of the nation to help create a healthy environment for our neighbors and all Texans and Americans.

GLYPHOSATE: Roundup & Rodeo, Manufacturer: MONSANTO EPA Class 111 CAUTION
Products are acutely toxic to animals, including humans. Symptoms include eye and skin irritation, headache, nausea, numbness, elevated blood pressure, and heart palpitations. The surfactant used in Roundup is more acutely toxic than glyphosate itself, the combination of the two is yet more toxic. (peer reviewed research, government documents or manufacturers publications).

Five routes of contamination: Food, Occupational Exposure, Drift, Water Contamination, Persistence and Movement in Soil,(initial breakdown is faster than subsequent degradation, persistence measured from 55 days to 360 days),

Given the marketing of glyphosate as “environmentally and toxicologically benign”, it is striking that laboratory studies have found adverse effects in all standard categories of toxicological testing. EPA found that the ads were “false and misleading” and found Montsanto in violation of FIFRA.

ORYZALIN: Surflan, Manufacturer: DOWELANCO EPA Class 1V CAUTION
Suspected carcinogen, systemic effects on thyroid, liver, kidneys, high doses resulted in thyroid, mammary and skin tumors, highly toxic to fish, risk of contamination to groundwater Do not apply where surface water is present.

MONOSODIUM ACID METHANE/ARSENATE, MSMA, Manufacturer: RIVERSIDE/TERRA EPA Class 1V CAUTION
OSHA: tentative listing confirmed carcinogens, irritation of skin and eyes, vomiting, burning in throat and stomach, keep children and domestic animals off treated areas until material has been washed into soil, no entry until spray has dried, extensive clothing requirements for workers.

PRODIAMINE: Endurance, Manufacturer: SANDOZ EPA Class 111 CAUTION
EPA lists as possible human carcinogen, irritating to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, vomiting and burning in throat and stomach

PENDIMETHALIN: Pendulum, Manufacturer: AMERICAN CYNAMID EPA Class 111 CAUTION
Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic organisms and its use may put several endangered species at risk, (also in drift and runoff), central nervous system depressant, causes birth defects, toxic to liver, kidney and blood, found in groundwater in Iowa and Florida.

DICAMBA: Vanquish, Manufacturer: NOVARTIS EPA Class 111 WARNING
Irritating, corrosive effect on skin and eyes, slightly toxic by inhalation, highly mobile in soil and may contaminate ground water, fruit trees and tomatoes may be harmed during growth, non-toxic to birds, low toxicity to fish, more hazardous than most in this class.

SYMAZINE: Simanex, Manufacturer: CIBA-GEIGY EPA Class 1V CAUTION
EPA special review 1994 which could result in use restrictions or even cancellation, residues detected in ground water in at least 16 states, in test animals - damage to testes, kidneys, liver, and thyroid, practically non-toxic to birds, slightly toxic to aquatic organisms.

Information on chemicals was acquired from:

• EXTOXNET - Extension Toxicology Network, the extension offices of Cornell University, Oregon University, University of Idaho, University of California at Davis, Michigan State, and funded by the USDA.
• NCAP Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
• NCAMP National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides
• EDF Environmental Defense Fund
• Rachel Carson Council Organic Gardening
• Howard Garrett Columnist Dallas Morning News - Host of the radio show "The Natural Way", the Dirt Doctor

Educational Opportunities in the Houston Area

Watersmart Workshop and Plant Sale Watersmart
This is a great way to learn about low maintenance, environmentally friendly landscaping techniques while mingling with Texas Master Gardeners, Texas Master Naturalists and people who like to play in dirt!

The Galveston Bay Plan identifies runoff pollution as the biggest water quality problem facing the bay and its tributaries. Those of us who have attended the annual conference know: "A WaterSmart yard utilizes plants and practices that require less water plus little or no fertilizers and pesticides."

Urban Harvest
Urban Harvest offers a variety of organically-based gardening classes for everyone gardening in the Houston area, community and backyard gardeners alike. Classes are free for all community and school gardeners and inexpensive for the backyard gardener.