Daily News: Golf Courses Linked to Parkinson’s Disease and Pesticide Use A recent study published by medical professionals in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds that “living within 1 mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing PD [Parkinson’s Disease] compared with individuals living more than 6 miles away from a golf course.” ⛳ [University of Rochester Medical Center; University of Kansas Medical Center; Barrow Neurological Institute; Mayo Clinic] [The authors reference numerous studies with evidence that various commonly used golf course pesticides leach into groundwater, which is a source of drinking water.] While organic land management offers a simple solution, current pesticide restrictions do not address chronic neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, which are linked to pesticide exposure. It has become increasingly clear that viable and cost-effective land management practices, including for golf course management, are critical to the protection of community health. Yet, the federal regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), do not conduct an alternative practices assessment as part of their review process to determine whether the risks are “reasonable” (statutory language) or the risk assessments accept an unnecessary hazard. The complexity of pesticide exposure, which includes mixtures of multiple chemicals and undisclosed hazardous “inert” ingredients, raises broad questions about the threats to public health (and biodiversity on World Biodiversity Day!) *** 📣 Take action here urging FDA to serve a significant role in prompting adequate public health screenings of pesticide products: https://ow.ly/nxuw50VX8if ➡️ See Beyond Pesticides’ coverage of conflicts of interest in science and industry influence on federal agencies: https://ow.ly/6Onf50VX8ia Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/PfZo50VX8i9 (fb)

Daily News: Fire Hazards and Toxic Combustion of Herbicide Products Increase Threats to Health and Environment An assessment of the fire hazards of herbicide products finds high fire and toxic gas emission risk, particularly in 2,4-D-based weed killer products. [Researchers analyzed four commercially available products containing two of the most commonly used active ingredients, glyphosate and 2,4-D.] Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy The authors note, “Inert [nondisclosed] ingredients significantly influence flammability and toxic gas generation in fires,” and the combustion of these products “releases hazardous gases and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.” This research showcases how herbicides are capable of causing fire hazards, a safety consideration often disregarded when performing risk assessments. Both active ingredients and the inert components in the products affect flammability and decomposition products; in addition, substances can be formed during combustion that would otherwise not have been emitted with just the active ingredient. [The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 344,600 residential building fires nationally, based on 2023 data. A significant number of these residences will have stored and used herbicides on their property.] *** A wide body of science demonstrates the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and all organisms within it; the existential crises of health, biodiversity, and climate are compounded by the toxic chemicals ubiquitous in the air, soil, water, and food we eat. The holistic solution for mitigating these effects lies in organic land management practices. 🌱 Interested in helping your community transition to organic? Become a Parks Advocate through Beyond Pesticides' Parks for a Sustainable Future program: https://ow.ly/5BcP50VWtsj 📨 Stay informed by signing up for Action of the Week alerts to be delivered straight to your inbox: https://ow.ly/BL2U50VWtsf Daily News Blog Post: https://ow.ly/WU0g50VWtsh (fb)