Toxic chemicals found in gardening tools
This is another example of people assuming that products on the shelves that they’re buying are safe, when in fact they’re largely unregulated and full of chemical hazards.”‘HealthyStuff.org’ Research Director, Jeff Gearhart
The Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center, a US nonprofit environmental group studied levels of toxic chemicals in about 200 consumer products.
According to the results, two-thirds of the examined tools contained significant levels of one or more toxic substances and chemicals they ranked of “high concern” like lead, phthalates and the Bisphenol A (BPA).
About 30 percent of all tested products contained over 100 ppl lead in one or more of their components. 100 ppm is the Consumer Product Safety Commission Standard (CPSC) for lead in children’s products.
Reportedly, 100 percent of the garden hoses sampled for phthalates contained four phthalate plasticizers which are currently banned in children’s products while two water hoses contained the hazardous flame retardant 2,3,4,5-tetrabromo-bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (TBPH).
“This is another example of people assuming that products on the shelves that they’re buying are safe, when in fact they’re largely unregulated and full of chemical hazards,” said Research Director at HealthyStuff.org Jeff Gearhart.
“Even if you are an organic gardener, doing everything you can to avoid pesticides and fertilizers, you still may be introducing hazardous substances into your soil by using these products,” he added. “The good news is that healthier choices are out there. Polyurethane or natural rubber water hoses, and non-PVC tools and work gloves, are all better choices.”
SJM/TE
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