Three common herbicides
Herbicide
Herbicides, also commonly known as weedkillers, are substances used to control unwanted plants. Selective herbicides control specific weed species, while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed, while non-selective herbicides can be used to clear waste ground, industrial and construction sites, r…
How can golfers be exposed to pesticides on the course?
When pesticides are used, activity on the golf course may pose a possible risk of exposure to pesticide residues. The most likely way for golfers to be exposed is through direct skin contact with the turf, such as on bare hands, arms, and lower legs. The Pesticide Specialist discussed some optional ways for James...
Are chemicals used on golf courses safe?
According to the research team, in general, when used according to the label directions, chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers approved for use on golf course turf are not believed to pose a real health risk to either the workers who apply the chemicals or to others who may come into contact with them after application, including golfers.
How do I control weeds on my golf course?
Browse our online cataloge and select post-emergent herbicides to control existing weeds on golf courses. Post emergent herbicides can also be used to treat specific problem areas.
Is there toxic fertilizer on your golf course?
The game of golf has long brought friends and families outside to spend time together. But behind the highly manicured, weed-free greens and fairways of golf courses often sit storage sheds filled with a toxic assortment of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
Are golf courses sprayed with pesticides?
The Pesticide Specialist explained that pesticides are used on golf courses and other recreational areas to maintain the health and appearance of the turf. James learned that most golf courses have highly trained golf course superintendents who manage the course, including turf management and pest control strategies.
Is Roundup used on golf courses?
While Roundup is not commonly used on golf courses, it is widely applied in public parks, around schools and on fields where children play — something that also deeply troubles Nisker, a father of three.
Is it toxic to live on a golf course?
Toxic Fairways People living near a golf course may be affected by sprays and dusts blown from the golf course onto their property and into their homes. Finally, pesticides applied to the turf may run off into surface waters or leach down to groundwater, which can then expose people to contaminated drinking water.
What happens to pesticides applied to golf courses?
Golf course superintendents apply pesticides and fertilizers to the course, and depending on an array of processes, these chemicals break down into by-products that are biologically inactive.
How do golf courses get their grass so green?
Deep roots help the grass stay strong, lush and green. Golf course turf receives adequate nutrients from regular fertilizing. Fertilizers typically contain a balance of potassium and nitrogen, which helps the grass stay strong, even when it's subjected to extreme temperature and heavy traffic.
How often do golf courses spray?
To the casual observer, spraying greens every one or two weeks may appear to be overkill. However, short spray intervals allow superintendents to observe putting green performance throughout the season and apply products only at the appropriate time to maximize their efficacy.
Is paraquat herbicide used on golf courses?
Paraquat Applications This herbicide's capability to control weeds made it a popular choice for groundskeepers. It has been used on golf courses around the USA for decades, but since July 2021, the EPA has prohibited its use on golf courses and parks.
Do golf courses use urea?
Urea is also the most inexpensive nitrogen source the turf manager can use. *Salt Index based on equal amount of Nitrogen supplied. Every golf course superintendent knows their course and its grasses better than anyone else.
Is it good to live near a golf course?
In addition to having your next round of golf right outside your door, living on a golf course often affords views of sprawling green vistas. Even if golf isn't your game, the benefits of living in a golfing community may be something worth considering.
Do golf courses use atrazine?
Atrazine is a member of the triazine chemical class, which includes simazine and propazine. It is used in primarily in agriculture, with the greatest use on corn, sorghum, and sugarcane. To a lesser extent, it is used on residential lawns and golf courses, particularly in the Southeast United States.
Is chlorpyrifos banned?
Farmworker Justice experts warned that while EPA's ban on the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops will deliver significant protections for environmental and farmworker advocates, EPA is still allowing some non-food uses of chlorpyrifos, such on golf courses, ornamental plants, and non-bearing fruit trees (See ...
Are golf courses safe for dogs?
A commonly-used pesticide, 2,4-D, has been causally associated with malignancies in dogs. This poison is saturating local golf courses, athletic fields, landscaped yards, and even your dog park.
What is in the sheds of golf courses?
But behind the highly manicured, weed-free greens and fairways of golf courses often sit storage sheds filled with a toxic assortment of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
Is it easy to maintain an organic golf course?
This work is not easy. While the methods used to maintain an organic golf course are similar to those used to maintain an organic lawn, the high expectations placed on golf courses require significant time, attention, and willingness to experiment. Soil health must be prioritized.
Do golf course superintendents work with environmental experts?
Increasingly, golf course superintendents are making this connection, and working with environmental experts and local residents to improve the public health and ecological footprint of their greens and fairways. This work is not easy. While the methods used to maintain an organic golf course are similar to those used to maintain an organic lawn, ...
What is the purpose of pesticides in golf courses?
“Golf course superintendents utilize pesticides as part of a system of integrated pest management (IPM) to control pests and maintain healthy turf ,” the association told FairWarning.
When did Ontario ban synthetic pesticides?
Nisker suggested that his home province has proven the same possibility for parks. In 2009, Ontario banned synthetic pesticides used solely to improve the appearance of lawns, vegetable and ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, cemeteries, parks and school yards.
What book did Wilson write about the greening of golf?
In the beginning of his book, “ The Greening of Golf ,” Wilson cites a 1964 issue of a magazine for golf course superintendents that includes what he called a “scathing review” of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” the 1962 book largely credited with spurring the modern environmental movement.
What did Wilson say about golf courses?
Wilson said that, during that time, managers were “essentially mass-spraying golf courses.”. “Then, move ahead to 2001, and in the same magazine they celebrate Rachel Carson,” he said in an interview. “The industry has changed their practices. They’ve become more targeted with the way they use chemicals.”.
What is cosmetic pesticide?
Known as “cosmetic pesticides,” these chemical products may be the same used for agricultural purposes or to thwart the spread of disease, but the ban was aimed at halting their use for ae sthetics only. An exemption from the ban was granted for golf courses. But golf courses must disclose the chemicals they use.
Who played golf in Banff?
Harold Nisker, who died of a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, played golf on vacation in 1988 in Banff. Courtesy Andrew Nisker home video. A former school groundskeeper who won one of those Monsanto lawsuits, Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, has been actively supporting Nisker’s film.
Can golf courses cause lymphoma?
Research suggests that some chemicals used on golf courses may raise risks of lymphomas and other health problems. One study, published in 1996 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, specifically addressed this concern.
Mitigation
Scientists at the University of Minnesota investigate how superintendents play a key role.
Human Exposure
University of Massachusetts scientists investigate exposure to commonly used pesticides.
Wildlife Exposure
Scientists track the success of eastern bluebirds on pesticide-treated golf courses.
Multimedia
Superintendents strive to maintain healthy turf, but a lot of factors can stress playing surfaces. Whether the stress factors are easy to diagnose or more challenging, superintendents leverage their knowledge and experience to make environmentally and economically sustainable decisions.
Can you chew on grass while playing golf?
First, golfers should avoid chewing on strands of grass or on tees that have been in the turf. Golfers should also avoid placing cigars or cigarettes on the ground while playing a shot. Golf courses themselves can use procedures that reduce chemical exposure to golfers.
Do golfers have dislodgeable residues?
Although carefully conducted studies have measured dislodgeable residues during some golfing activities, little data exists on the frequency with which golfers actually engage in activities that increase their level of chemical contact during a round.
Is golf course chemical harmful?
Understanding golf course chemicals. Most all publicity related to chemicals and their use on golf courses is negative in nature. Golf course chemicals are seen as destructive to people, animals and plants.
Is it safe to use pesticides on golf course turf?
According to the research team, in general, when used according to the label directions, chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers approved for use on golf course turf are not believed to pose a real health risk to either the workers who apply the chemicals or to others who may come into contact with them after application, including golfers.
Do golfers have pesticides?
There is also a lack of data regarding the variability of these behaviors among golfers. Perhaps more importantly, there are few systematic studies of all of the potential golfer behaviors that would increase pesticide exposure during a round of golf.
