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Biological Urban Gardening Services
(BUGS), an international membership organization (established in 1987), consisting of
horticultural professionals, amateur gardeners and environmentally conscious individuals
devoted to reducing our reliance on potentially toxic agricultural chemicals in our highly
populated urban landscape The safety of agricultural chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) used in our urban landscapes is understandably a growing concern for both the public and professional horticulturists. In 1991, approximately 70 million pounds of pesticides were applied to lawns and other turf sites. Currently 90% of all pesticides (including 32 out of the 34 most widely used lawn care chemicals) registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are lacking one or more health and safety tests that are required for registration. Of the 40 pesticides that compromise over 95% of the chemicals used by commercial lawn care firms, 12 are suspected carcinogens, 21 have been shown to cause long-term health effects in lab animals or humans, and 20 have been shown to cause short-range damage to human central nervous systems. The U.S. General Accounting Office discovered the chemical lawn care industry was providing the public false and misleading information concerning the safety of the agricultural chemicals they utilize. Landscape care companies have lost court cases (in New York) regarding claims that the materials they use are "Practically non-toxic," "Safe to use," or "Our products are practically non-toxic." Yet many companies are still making similar claims, falsely misleading the public about the safety of their operation. BUGS professional members can help repair the industry's tarnished image by providing safe, natural landscape maintenance services.
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BUGS Objectives
BUGS Services
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BUGS Awards Sacramento County's (California) "Pollution Prevention Award" 1996 California Environmental Protection Agency's Pest Management
Alternatives 'Pioneer Award' This award is associated with the report "Advancing Alternatives: Successful Least-Toxic Pest Management Programs in California's Urban Settings" authored by Pesticide Watch Education Fund and Pesticide Action Network. |
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Contact BUGS
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