Playground & Synthetic Chemical Spray

So, I am standing there looking at my spouse not sure what to say. I thought to myself, 'Am I surprised?' I didn't think so. Was I in shock? No...But my next though and words were, "She is never going to that park again."

Apparently there was a sign at the park explaining that the park was closed until 10:00am due to spraying for weeds. It was the St. James playground that the attached church allows the public to use. I was always grateful to the parishioners who were kind enough to open the park to the public. Especially since I do not belong to their organization.

Either way there is no way I am going to let my DD play there. She often puts her hands all over everything then often feels around in her mouth for the new teeth she is getting. The last thing I need is for the herbicide to wreak havoc on her hormonal system. Little girls who are exposed to high levels of estrogen disruptor often get their menstrual cycle early. As in under 10 years old ! These chemicals are often petroleum based and an estrogen disruptor. I haven't had a chance to ask the church if they used a synthetic petroleum spray or a plant based one. But I do not have the energy. The Delaware Park is about a half mile further and I need the exercise.

But it does have me thinking. Maybe I should call Delaware Park to see if they spray?...

Well I just got off the phone with the operations department of the Olmsted Parks (Delaware Park) Conservancy. And much to my delight I was informed that the playgrounds (or anything in that area) do not get sprayed with pesticides or herbicide or anything else. They do spray the golf course and the baseball field. They are trying to use plant based sprays when possible but they are more expensive then the petroleum based prays. They are on a budget. Apparently it takes three years to get the all natural sprays working and the ecosystem in balance with natural sprays. Whereas the petroleum spray is a zap'em dead type of deal.

Well at least my organic baby will be safe at Delaware park.

I have done a lot o reading about the medical effects on people and children caused by synthetic sprays. But I think it was Dr. Dr. Jayme Mancini PhD, DO (a Pediatric Neurologist) who did a Fulbright scholarship in Iceland that really cemented everything for me. She followed the seal hunters out onto the ice to collect fat, liver and brain samples to test for pesticide and PCB residue. The results were that the fat had the highest concentrations of chemicals then liver then brain. The problem was that animals with high concentration of synthetic chemicals in their fat past it onto their offspring during gestation. The results were infants born with malformed cartilage and bone. Or in other words limbs that look withered, curled up and unusable.

How were these animals getting all these chemicals in their system????

Well the fish of course. The fish were being contaminated from contaminated runoff from places like the United States. Everyone that sprays their lawns, farms and other land were contaminating the water sheds, lakes and rivers which then flow into the ocean which contaminated the fish.

This is also why I filter my water. I'll have to post about water filters later. I think a lot of people think those Brita Filters "purify" their tape water not realising it only removes a few contaminants like odors and chlorine. Which is better then nothing.

Some studies:

American Journal of Epidemiology List of Chemicals that cause hormone problems Study

EHP an easy source to finding article on health and toxins Study

Are you eating bananas or other food from other countries? Many countries still use DDT. Study

Pesticide concentration higher in woman and those that eat meat Study

Endocrine Disruptor and contamination through water supply into food chain Study