Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 15 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Life Arts    H4'ed 7/28/12

Need More Rachel Carsons

Message Suzana Megles
 
I was reminded of Rachel Carson when I picked up the July/
August issue of the Reader's Digest and read "Is Your Backyard
Toxic?" Every time I think of her  I am grateful for being
reminded of her wisdom and concern re our environment- though
sadly we really managed not to heed her warnings in this
regard.   
 
It was some years ago that CBS Sunday Morning profiled her
life, and I was mesmerized by it. Truly a role model for me.
I really don't need to look up her life on the internet
because I believe I nailed the salient points of it.  That
one day she noticed that the birds were dying in her environs
and she  wondered why.  It wasn't long before she realized
that harmful pesticides were killing them off.
 
When she wrote her papers on the subject after studying
about pesticides in general, her male colleagues berated
her findings and ignored them.  Of course, she was right
and wrote her eye-opening book "Silent Spring."  Sadly,
though hailed as a book of great insight, we never learned
its profound lessons from it, and today pesticides  are used
not only on lawns but perhaps on 90 per cent or more of our
crops. Lucky the people who can afford to buy organic.
 
NEED A MANICURED GREEN LAWN?  At one time I admired a
beautifully manicured lawn. But not after learning about what
she had to say about the pesticides.  Though I am not proud of
my weed-infested lawn, I prefer it to the pesticide-laden ones. 
My immigrant parents had us on our knees digging up dandelions,
but we had a basically lovely lawn without using any harmful
chemicals on it.
 
I believe I read that applications of vinegar might do the
job or a combination of it and soap suds.  Well, I tried the
vinegar, but really didn't keep up with the application
wherever they sprouted and didn't notice positive effects.   
 
I thought of going to a hardware and asking if there was
a non-pesticide weed killer.  Well, today, I believe that
the Reader's Digest mentioned above has provided me with that
answer. It said  to use an all-natural herbicide like CORN
GLUTEN MEAL  to keep weeds at bay.  However, this has to be
done in early Spring to prevent annual weeds from reseeding. 
I will definitely make it a point to hunt down corn gluten
meal and hope that some store carries it.  
 
LANDSCAPERS BEWARE. The article also carried the sad account
of Paul Tukey who had been a successful professional landscaper
in the early 1990's. Using the harsh chemicals to kill weeds, he
began to experience some a larming symptoms: eye twitches, bad 
headaches, nausea, nosebleeds, and diarrhea.  His doctor asked
him to list the chemicals he used in landscaping and discovered
that  all his symptoms were known side effects of the products he
was using on the lawns. 
 
Tom Kelly, also a former lawn professional, switched careers like
Tukey when he started feeling sick.  He warns us to be aware of
companies that purport to be organic since they probably use the
same chemicals as other traditional companies do. His advice to
us:  "You have a right to request labels for products they use on
your lawn."   
    
I remember years ago that people using chemically-treated lawns
also noticed that their dogs were getting sick as a result.  I
believe that some of them died.  Another reason I was glad that
I never wanted to use chemicals on my grass.
 
SHINY BLACK DRIVEWAY.  This article also mentions that coal tar
driveways may contain carcinogenic chemicals called polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons. Studies suggest that these PAH concentrations
in these sealants are hundreds of times higher than those in other
sources such as exhaust smoke.
 
Isn't it frightening that so many of us are unaware of statistics
like this?  Somehow I think the world would be a much better place
if there were many more  Rachel Carsons looking out for us.   
 
Interesting 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Suzana Megles Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

I have been concerned about animal suffering ever since
I received my first puppy Peaches in 1975. She made me take a good look at the animal kingdom and I was shocked to see how badly we treat so many animals. At 77, I've been a vegan for the (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Horse Racing Cruelty

Vote NO on Issue 2 if You Llive in Ohio

Leo Grillo/Delta Rescue

Can Veganism Save the World?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend