2008 Woodie Awards
Just One-Shot from the field to the bay
HSU pesticides and their effects
Jocelyn Orr
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Campus
- Page 1 of 1
Beth Oates comes to Humboldt State soccer games often. She doesn't like the use of pesticides on the playing fields.
"We are supposed to be an environmental school," said Oates, an environmental science sophomore. "It bugs me that they are using pesticides that could run off to the stream."
Humboldt State University uses pesticides on the lower and upper playing fields, the lawn areas around campus, the LK Wood Boulevard lawn medians and on cracks in sidewalks to kill unwanted weeds.
The campus stores and uses at least two pesticides, One-Shot and Round-Up. Pesticides do not always stay where they are supposed to. They can stick to your clothing and can drift to other plant life and into waterways.
"I think the last time we used One-Shot was over spring break," Doug Kokesh, Humboldt State grounds manager said, "it was applied to all the gardener's lawns."
Once the granules are incorporated into the soil, it is difficult for them to come into contact with human skin. However, the dust created when it is applied can be carried, said Patty Clary, program director for Californian's for Alternatives to Toxics. "Pesticides stick to your clothing and your shoes," she said. People track it inside their homes and it gets into their carpets.
The lower playing field is next to the Children's Center, Clary said. "I see people with their families out here watching the sports games."
Karen and Tim Bouchey brought their two kids and four of their kids' friends for a soccer game at Humboldt State. They sat in the grass on the sidelines watching the men's game. "We like to be aware," Karen Bouchey said. "I wouldn't knowingly harm my child."
Bert and Rosie Crossen brought their three children to the men's soccer game for the first time also. Bert Crossen would suspect that the campus uses pesticides, but it is not a major concern for his children. "I would be concerned [about pesticides] if they were eating the grass," he said.
Many Californians want to have 2,4-D listed as a chemical that causes cancer, Clary said. "But the chemical industry has been fighting it hard and heavily."
Neither One-Shot nor Round-Up have carcinogens in them according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, 2,4-D is suggested to increase the number of tumors that form in certain types of cancer. It can cause rashes if it comes into contact with the skin. If it is eaten or inhaled the EPA has documented that 2,4-D causes vomiting, diarrhea and comas.
Tom Manoli, Coordinator for Environmental Health & Safety at Humboldt State, said, "As an environmental chemist, I like Round-up. It breaks down quickly in the sunlight."
Kokesh said, Humboldt State's garden specialists don't put Round-Up down if they know it is going to rain in the next 72 hours.
Pesticides are not only a concern for people, but for the environment and wildlife as well. Humboldt State is a high spot geographically in the community, Clary said. "If they are using Round-Up on hard surfaces it will drain into the [Humboldt Bay]."
According to the information sheet supplied with One-Shot, the product is toxic to fish and highly toxic to other aquatic organisms, including oysters and shrimp. "Use with care when applying to turf areas adjacent to any body of water."
"2,4-D is always toxic to fish," Clary said. Campbell Creek which is adjacent to the lower playing field drains directly to Humboldt Bay, where oysters are farmed and fish are caught.
Oates wants to know what the alternatives are to using pesticides on campus. "As an environmental school we should be setting an example," she said.
Jocelyn Orr can be reached at jocelyn.orr@gmail.com
"We are supposed to be an environmental school," said Oates, an environmental science sophomore. "It bugs me that they are using pesticides that could run off to the stream."
Humboldt State University uses pesticides on the lower and upper playing fields, the lawn areas around campus, the LK Wood Boulevard lawn medians and on cracks in sidewalks to kill unwanted weeds.
The campus stores and uses at least two pesticides, One-Shot and Round-Up. Pesticides do not always stay where they are supposed to. They can stick to your clothing and can drift to other plant life and into waterways.
"I think the last time we used One-Shot was over spring break," Doug Kokesh, Humboldt State grounds manager said, "it was applied to all the gardener's lawns."
Once the granules are incorporated into the soil, it is difficult for them to come into contact with human skin. However, the dust created when it is applied can be carried, said Patty Clary, program director for Californian's for Alternatives to Toxics. "Pesticides stick to your clothing and your shoes," she said. People track it inside their homes and it gets into their carpets.
The lower playing field is next to the Children's Center, Clary said. "I see people with their families out here watching the sports games."
Karen and Tim Bouchey brought their two kids and four of their kids' friends for a soccer game at Humboldt State. They sat in the grass on the sidelines watching the men's game. "We like to be aware," Karen Bouchey said. "I wouldn't knowingly harm my child."
Bert and Rosie Crossen brought their three children to the men's soccer game for the first time also. Bert Crossen would suspect that the campus uses pesticides, but it is not a major concern for his children. "I would be concerned [about pesticides] if they were eating the grass," he said.
Many Californians want to have 2,4-D listed as a chemical that causes cancer, Clary said. "But the chemical industry has been fighting it hard and heavily."
Neither One-Shot nor Round-Up have carcinogens in them according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, 2,4-D is suggested to increase the number of tumors that form in certain types of cancer. It can cause rashes if it comes into contact with the skin. If it is eaten or inhaled the EPA has documented that 2,4-D causes vomiting, diarrhea and comas.
Tom Manoli, Coordinator for Environmental Health & Safety at Humboldt State, said, "As an environmental chemist, I like Round-up. It breaks down quickly in the sunlight."
Kokesh said, Humboldt State's garden specialists don't put Round-Up down if they know it is going to rain in the next 72 hours.
Pesticides are not only a concern for people, but for the environment and wildlife as well. Humboldt State is a high spot geographically in the community, Clary said. "If they are using Round-Up on hard surfaces it will drain into the [Humboldt Bay]."
According to the information sheet supplied with One-Shot, the product is toxic to fish and highly toxic to other aquatic organisms, including oysters and shrimp. "Use with care when applying to turf areas adjacent to any body of water."
"2,4-D is always toxic to fish," Clary said. Campbell Creek which is adjacent to the lower playing field drains directly to Humboldt Bay, where oysters are farmed and fish are caught.
Oates wants to know what the alternatives are to using pesticides on campus. "As an environmental school we should be setting an example," she said.
Jocelyn Orr can be reached at jocelyn.orr@gmail.com
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