In 2018, it was estimated that there would be 1.7 million new cases of diagnosed cancers.
Some of those cancers may even be caused by the chemicals that you are using to treat your lawn.
Is your flawless yard actually making you sick? While your lawn might be pristine and weed free, the lawn chemicals could be causing cancer. Learn more here.
How Lawn Chemicals Can Cause Cancer
Research done has suggested that some of the chemicals in the treatments you use for your lawn can actually cause cancer in some people.For some look into some of the cases, you can check out this site.
Because there are so many chemicals in each treatment, it's hard to pinpoint exactly which chemical or combination of chemicals triggers cancer.
Where Are These Chemicals Found?
Yes, these chemicals can be found in the fertilizer that you use, but they can also be found in pesticides and herbicides.Here we'll break down what chemicals are in each that could cause cancer.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers are great for making your lawn look nice and green, but when you water your grass, those chemicals can wash off your lawn and find their way into your drinking water.All the chemicals that are in the fertilizer you're using could also be causing your cancer.
For your safety and for the benefit of the environment, you should try and limit your use of fertilizers whenever possible. If you need to use it, make sure that you use it carefully.
Pesticides
Some pesticides contain arsenic which has been linked to an increased risk in cancer.If you are just putting pesticides on your lawn, it may not pose as big of a threat to you because you probably aren't exposed to it enough for it to make a difference.
However, if someone like an agricultural worker was exposed to it all the time, they have a higher risk of getting cancer.
Herbicides
Herbicides are also another thing to be concerned about.
Most herbicides contain a chemical like 2,4-D. While the evidence is limited on this specific chemical, the International Agency for Research has been doing research on it to see if there is a link.Regardless, this is a harsh chemical, and you should avoid using it when possible.
How to Protect Yourself
Before you start panicking, there are things that you can do to protect yourself from these lawn chemicals while still making sure that your lawn looks nice.If you do need to use these chemicals, make sure that you wear a mask and some gloves so that you aren't breathing in the chemicals or exposing your skin to them.
Make sure that any children or pregnant women don't have exposure to these chemicals as well.
Make sure that you read the ingredients and follow the directions carefully when handling these chemicals. If you're not sure, it may be better to hire a professional.
If you do put down fertilizer or pesticides, then it's best to limit your exposure in your yard afterwards. You will just be breathing in the chemicals you just laid down.
Find Treatment for Cancer
If you did get cancer from some lawn chemicals, there are different treatment options available for you.There may even be some natural treatments.
Read this article to learn more.
