HOME USE OF LAWN AND GARDEN CHEMICALS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION

Abstract

Public concern over the impacts of pesticides and fertilizers on ground water quality has been increasing. Health impacts from ingestion of these chemicals in ground water vary considerably. Recent estimates of the volume of pesticides used in the U.S. indicate that home and garden uses account for about six to eight percent of total pesticides used. To obtain information on types and application rates of home garden chemical use, a telephone survey of Virginia homeowners was undertaken in the summer of 1988. Information was obtained on: 1) size of respondents' lawns and gardens; 2) use of a professional service to manage the lawn or garden, 3) what chemicals were applied and frequency; 4) sources of information used in making chemical use decisions; 5) use of product label instructions and difficulty in interpreting instructions; and 6) perceived threat to water quality, human health, or ground water from properly used home and garden chemicals.