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There are about 31.6 million acres of turf—almost 50,000 square miles—in the US. Lawns (including residential and commercial lawns, as well as golf courses) could be considered the single largest irrigated crop in America in terms of surface area, occupying three times more land than is devoted to irrigated corn. About 200 gallons of fresh water per person per day would be required to provide adequate water for the nation’s lawn surface area.[1]

A lawnmower used for one hour creates as much air pollution as a car driven for 20 miles. Each year in the US, $5.2 billion is spent on fossil fuel-based lawn fertilizers; 67,000,000 pounds of synthetic lawn pesticides are applied; and 580 million gallons of gasoline are used in lawnmowers. Depending on the city, 30 to 60 percent of fresh water in urban areas is used to water lawns.[2]

Related health issues

The chemical 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the US and is used in lawn care products to kill broad-leaf weeds like dandelions. Approximately 12 to 28 million pounds of 2,4-D is used each year in non-agricultural settings. Combining 2,4-D with a related chemical called 2,4,5-T created the cancer-causing defoliant Agent Orange, used during the Vietnam War. Although 2,4,5-T was banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), use of 2,4-D is still permitted, although its health effects are under review.[3]

A study conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that certain breeds of dogs are four to seven times more likely to contract bladder cancer when exposed to chemically treated lawns.[4]

Glossary

• herbicide: An agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth.

External links

• ''The Organic Lawn Care Manual'' by Paul Tukey Buy a copy of this best-selling book and learn how to have an organic lawn.
• US Environmental Protection Agency - GreenScapes for Homeowners
• US Environmental Protection Agency - Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment
• SafeLawns.org Helps protect family and pets from toxic lawn fertilizers and chemicals; and helps clean up parks, playing fields, and waterways.
• Beyond Pesticides Educates homeowners, retailers, landscapers, and policy makers about the dangers of lawn chemicals and the viability of safe alternatives.