We call upon Philadelphia City Council to join over 100 US cities and prohibit the use of toxic pesticides on all City grounds, including parks, schools, right of ways, playgrounds, and recreation centers.
Toxic Free Philly is a growing coalition of concerned Philadelphia residents, visitors, and neighbors. We advocate for all Philadelphia public grounds to be safe and healthy, nurturing thriving habitats for residents and wildlife alike. Our approach is to bring together public health experts, community leaders, business interests, urban agriculture, lawyers and local government to work to protect public health and restore environmental quality.
|
Every week new information is added to the already significant evidence that exposure to synthetic pesticides is linked to asthma, cancer, developmental and learning disabilities, nerve and immune system damage, liver and kidney damage, reproductive impairment, birth defects, and disruption of the endocrine system.
Infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems and chemical sensitivities are especially vulnerable. Pesticides are also harmful to pets, wildlife, soil microbiology, plants, and natural ecosystems, including honeybees and other pollinators. |
What does pesticide free mean?
|
Pesticide-free means that no synthetic herbicides or fungicides are used at all. In the past 30 years, long term studies in regenerative and permaculture (i.e. values driven) approaches, which focus on preventing problems around soil fertility, compaction, and pH balance, have proven to bring about healthy ecological conditions and increased biodiversity. Our land management practices would shift from being dependent on chemicals, to focusing on manual and mechanical methods, monitoring, public education and adjusting our aesthetic tastes. Safe alternatives to synthetic pesticides are available.
|
Sign the PetitionSign the petition as an individual to document the growing public support for legislation ridding our public spaces of carcinogens and other health hazards.
|
Join the CoalitionSign up your organization to join our growing coalition.
|
Contact your CouncilmemberIt's easy. If you live in Philadelphia, you have seven at large council members and one district member who represents you. Let them know what is important to you.
|
Contact UsEmail us, sign up for updates, invite us to talk with you at your next organizational or neighborhood meeting.
|
