Feature: Pesticide-Free for Health

GO PESTICIDE-FREE AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY’S HEALTH

The village of Balerno has been made a trial pesticide-free area this year by Edinburgh City Council. There will be no application of chemicals for weed killing in the village, but safe manual methods are being used to remove weeds. The trial is the result of the work of the campaign group Pesticide Free Balerno, who hope to inspire other areas to become pesticide free. Here is their lockdown update.

A lot has changed since February when Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Committee agreed to suspend the use of glyphosate for weeding in Balerno. What remains the same is the need to prioritise and protect those with asthma, immune and other health vulnerabilities.

Many chemical products sold for gardening can have harmful effects on ourselves, our pets, neighbours and those who walk by our homes. Commonly-used chemicals have been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, reproductive disorders, liver and kidney damage. Out of the 30 commonly- used lawn pesticides, 11 are toxic to bees and 16 toxic to birds.

Reactions can be diverse, immediate or delayed and are difficult to avoid as the poisons are invisible. Restricted breathing is not desirable at any time but is especially critical to avoid just now - we cannot gamble with the health of others around us and knowingly put additional pressure on those who need our support.

By using manual weeding and safe alternatives there is no need to resort to harmful chemicals and any risk and potential harm to ourself and others is avoided. that each and EVERY one of us has on each other -we are all vulnerable and some more than others. We are depending on and deserve protection and cooperation of each other to maintain best health outcomes.

To support ourselves and our families we need to support everyone’s immunity and health and help support our overworked NHS wherever we can.

Our volunteer weeding group is obviously not physically possible at this time, but we can still positively move the initiative forward, connect online, weed individually and continue our positive work as a strong community.

By working alongside a member of your household or as individuals we can all take a turn to manually weed the areas outside our own house safely or in our street and little areas in the village whilst adhering to crucial social distancing rules.

Pull out a weed when out for your daily walk!

Social isolation during this period can also be a health issue, so to be involved in this positive project, even remotely, could be a satisfying use of time and could help keep us all connected - sharing our weeding efforts online. This positive community project is one area in which we can all be involved whilst:

• maintaining social distance rules • gaining a little fresh air and vitamin D • staying safe and close to home

Many people have asked us for recommendations of chemical free gardeners. There is a huge gap in the market here for gardeners with much growing demand! Let us know if your gardener has become chemical free and we can pass their details on.

You could also ask your present gardener not to use chemicals in YOUR garden as a precaution at this time. Don’t be reassured or assume the chemicals they use are safe for you or others around you. Research the ingredients yourself or ask us. You will be surprised by the negative health effects listed and what has become normalised.

If you or your gardener are unable to remove your own weeds safely outside your own property and want them removed, please contact us via the details below.

A successful pesticide-free trial in Balerno could have huge long-term implications, not just for Balerno but for the whole of Edinburgh.

When we get back to ‘normal ‘let’s change our ways for the better -let’s do our bit to protect the future health of our children and the environment.

Please weed and garden without chemicals; go #pesticidefree

(Ps - If there is an area to remain weedy to support our pollinators, let us know!!)

STAY SAFE. PROTECT HEALTH. PROTECT EACH OTHER

WATCH: More information

Contact pesticide Free Balerno on: pesticidefreebalerno@gmail.com

Share you before and after photos with us!

Follow us on Instagram @pesticidefree.balerno

This article was contributed by Pesticide Free Balerno