Be in support of a reduction in outdoor pesticide use throughout Cape Cod because since we live 25 feet above where we drink water from, we swim in ponds and we eat from the salt waters that surround us here. The biggest problem I have with outdoor pesticides is, they move in our environment: air, soil and water. Scientists say an average of a foot a day.  So, if my neighbor uses them, I am exposed to them and that is completely unfair.

“People have a right to NOT be exposed to pesticides used on other peoples’ properties.

Ponds have a right to NOT be exposed to pesticides used on other peoples’ properties. 

Bees have a right to NOT be exposed to pesticides used on other people’s properties.” 

~ Laura Kelley

The exposure (of pesticides) to children and seniors should be limited as much as possible. Pesticides move from the application site. They do not stay put after application and can be transported over long distances fairly rapidly through wind and rain. Dose, as well as frequency, duration of exposure, sequence and timing are all factors in how a pesticide exposure may impact someone. Exposure to multiple pesticide ingredients or other toxic chemicals can change the way we are affected by them. Multiple exposures can have a magnified effect greater than the individual chemical effects when added together. This is called a synergistic effect or synergistic toxicity. 

Pesticides harm health. A growing body of scientific literature shows that pesticide exposure can adversely affect endocrine, neurological, immune, and respiratory systems in humans even at very low levels. Pesticides is a substance used for DESTROYING insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals. It is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.

Problems with pesticides are they also contaminate our food, drinking water, harm pollinators and threaten our ecosystems.