Toxic chemicals are often the cause of significant damage to our ecosystems. We found out about what chemicals are doing to our planet and how you can help stop this.

• Roughly 75,000 man-made chemicals are now in use. Virtually none (less than 10%) has been adequately tested for the threats they pose to humans and wildlife.
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) describes (in the Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals) the amounts of 116 chemicals and metals in the bodies of Americans.
• According to the EPA, at least 74 pesticides have been found in the groundwater of 38 states.
• Over 100 active pesticide ingredients are suspected to cause birth defects, cancer and gene mutation.
• Home pesticides are just as lethal as agricultural ones. Just 5 tiny granules of diazinon are enough to kill a house sparrow or redwing blackbird.
• Home gardeners use up to 10 times more toxic chemicals than farmers
• One quart of motor oil can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of water

• buy organically grown (pesticide free) fruits, vegetables, cotton clothing and other products
• stop using chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
• use traps, parasites and predators (such as ladybugs)
• use disease and pest-resistant plants
• use compost and mulch to improve soil health and reduce fertilizers
• include in your garden insect-repelling plants (basil, chives, mint, marigolds,chrysanthemums etc)
• don’t buy or use chlorine bleach
• buy household cleaning products that are green: “go green when you clean”
• look for the words: “Biodegradable” or “non-toxic”
• buy rechargeable batteries
• dispose of all your hazardous waste at designated sites only – check with your local government or council