Cancer Risk of Turf and Lawn Care Pesticides
BCERF Research Project
The Cancer Risk of Turf and Lawn Care Pesticides initiative aims to provide user-friendly information about the cancer risks of pesticides used on turf and lawn in New York State. The projects below each provide resources for turf and lawn care professionals, homeowners, and others who need to make informed decisions about lawn care pesticides and cancer risk.
- Cancer Risk Evaluation of Turf and Lawn Care Pesticides
A comprehensive, critical evaluation of the cancer risk of turf and lawn care pesticides will evaluate the strength of the current scientific evidence on whether these pesticides pose a cancer risk. Results provide turf and lawn care professionals as well as the medical, regulatory, and scientific communities with distilled information for more informed decision making.
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Turf Pesticides and Cancer Risk Database
This searchable, online database provides information on the cancer risk of chemicals found in over 2,000 turf and lawn care pesticide products used in New York State. The database is on the Turf Pesticides and Cancer Risk Database page.
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Risk Perceptions of Turf and Lawn Care Pesticide Applicators
This pilot study was conducted to better understand the health and safety perspectives of commercial lawn care pesticide applicators and golf course superintendents. Focus groups and a survey were conducted with applicators in Buffalo, Albany, Rochester and Ithaca. Results are being incorporated into BCERF educational resources geared towards improving the health and safety practices of lawn care professionals.
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Communicating the cancer risks of pesticides to handlers: Current limitations of pesticide labeling
This project traces the evolution of scientific information on cancer risk used in the pesticide registration process from the laboratory to the pesticide label. Results will contribute to a greater understanding of how cancer risk is interpreted, communicated, and used in regulatory decision making.
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Turf and lawn care professionals and cancer: Improving communication and reducing risk
This 3-year study funded by the US Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, surveyed 1,200 turf and ornamental pesticide applicators across New York State. The mail survey, administered in Fall 2007, asked applicators a wide range of questions about their attitudes, beliefs, concerns, and practices having to do with pesticide use and health. Results will be used in the development of educational resources geared towards improving the health and safety practices of lawn and garden professionals.
Going Forward
Together, these projects serve as a prototype for future, expanded programming beyond lawn care pesticides. In New York State, thousands of pesticide products are regulated for a variety of uses beyond turf grass, such as home garden, household, institutional, and industrial uses. Cancer risk information on chemicals in a wide variety of pesticide products can be made accessible, helping to meet the need for publicly-available, cancer risk information for pesticides used in New York State.
Funding
New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation
US Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Contact
Dr. Heather Dantzker (607-255-5940, hac4@cornell.edu) or Dr. Suzanne Snedeker (607-255-5943, sms31@cornell.edu)
Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors