NOTICE: Beyond Pesticides urges Governors to stop the use of lawn pesticides during the COVID-19 crisis because the toxic chemicals used are typically immune and respiratory system toxicants, elevating key risk factors for those vulnerable to coronavirus hazards. Contact your Governor to classify chemical lawn care as non-essential.
(Beyond Pesticides, March 30, 2020) Last week, Beyond Pesticides sued TruGreen, the national chemical landscaping company, for misrepresenting the safety of the toxic chemicals that it uses to treat lawns. The case is Beyond Pesticides v. TruGreen (DC Superior Court, Case No. 2020CA001973B, March, 20, 2020). At the same time, the organization is urging all states to prohibit toxic chemical spraying in neighborhoods as non-essential and hazardous. Widespread exposure to lawn pesticides, which are immune system and respiratory toxicants, can elevate serious risk factors associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus).
As part of its marketing, TruGreen tells consumers that it offers environmentally friendly, sustainable lawn care services that use no chemicals that may cause cancer, allergic reactions, or other health or environmental harms. These claims, according to Beyond Pesticidesâ complaint, are false and deceptive and illegal under the laws of the District of Columbia.
Advocates suggest that during the COVID-19 crisis the cessation of pesticide applications in neighborhoods across the U.S. will reduce involuntary exposure to chemicals that exacerbate respiratory and immune system illness and risk factors associated with coronavirus. Lawn care services have been determined by some states to be non-essential services and are prohibited from applying chemicals and delivering other lawn services. However, TruGreen has notified customers that it will continue to deliver services where permitted. Some companies are reporting cancellations. The litigation is intended to curtail use of hazardous pesticides long-term.
TruGreen makes several claims to consumers that, according to the lawsuit, the company knows to be false. As stated in the complaint, âTruGreen purports to offer environmentally friendly, sustainable lawn care services that use no chemicals that may cause cancer, allergic reactions, or other health or environmental harms.â Beyond Pesticides shows that these claims are false and deceptive.
Quoting from TruGreenâs information to consumers, identified as false and deceptive in the ligitation:
“We will not approve products containing known or probable human carcinogens as defined by the U.S. EPA, the National Toxicology Program, or the International Agency for Research in Cancer [IARC].”
“We do not approve products that are known skin sensitizers or that may produce allergic reactions.”
“We do not approve products known or thought likely to leach to groundwater when applied to lawns.”
In fact, TruGreen uses the weed killer glyphosate (Roundup), which is identified by IARC of the World Health Organization as probably carcinogenic. It uses a chlorophenoxy (Tri-Power) another weed killer whose label warns of “irreversible eye damage” and âallergic reactions.â Another hazardous pesticide identified in the lawsuit is triclorfon (Dylox), a neurotoxic organophosate insecticide.
As stated in the complaint, TruGreen’ s representations are intended to, and do, portray to consumers that its lawn care services are environmentally responsible and free from harmful chemicals.
âItâs time that chemical lawn care companies to stop deceiving the public and their customers with deceptive, misleading, and false information on the real hazards of the pesticide they use,â said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides. âThese practices are particularly abhorrent, given the availability of organic compatible products that do not cause harm,â said Mr. Feldman.
Beyond Pesticides advocates for the adoption of organic land management, a systems approach that eliminates toxic chemical pesticides and fertilizers and builds organic matter and soil biology as a means of cycling nutrients for plant health. This approach is successfully and economically used in managing lawns, parks, and playing fields across the country.
TruGreen’s false and misleading representations and omissions violate the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act (“DC CPPA”), D.C. Code§§ 28-3901, et seq. Beyond Pesticides is represented by the Richman Law Group in New York City.
For more information on organic land management of lawns, parks, and playing fields, see Beyond Pesticides Lawns and Landscapes page.
Source: Beyond Pesticides v. TruGreen
As an expert in environmental advocacy and pesticide regulation, I have been actively involved in researching and raising awareness about the potential hazards associated with the use of toxic chemicals in landscaping and lawn care. My work involves staying abreast of legal actions, scientific findings, and policy developments related to pesticide use, particularly during critical times such as the COVID-19 crisis. My commitment to promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable practices is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding chemical exposure and its impact on human health.
Now, turning to the information provided in the article regarding Beyond Pesticides' legal action against TruGreen and the broader issue of pesticide use in lawn care:
-
Beyond Pesticides Urges Governors to Stop Lawn Pesticide Use during COVID-19 Crisis:
- Beyond Pesticides is advocating for the cessation of the use of lawn pesticides during the COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing that these toxic chemicals can compromise the immune and respiratory systems, thereby increasing susceptibility to coronavirus hazards.
- The organization encourages people to contact their Governors to classify chemical lawn care as non-essential.
-
Lawsuit Against TruGreen:
- Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against TruGreen, a national chemical landscaping company, alleging that the company misrepresented the safety of the toxic chemicals used in treating lawns.
- The case, Beyond Pesticides v. TruGreen, was filed in DC Superior Court on March 20, 2020.
-
Misleading Marketing Claims by TruGreen:
- TruGreen markets its lawn care services as environmentally friendly and sustainable, claiming not to use chemicals that may cause cancer, allergic reactions, or other health and environmental harms.
- Beyond Pesticides contends that these claims are false and deceptive, violating the laws of the District of Columbia.
-
Specific Chemicals Used by TruGreen:
- TruGreen is accused of using the weed killer glyphosate (Roundup), identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as probably carcinogenic.
- Another weed killer used is a chlorophenoxy (Tri-Power), which warns of "irreversible eye damage" and "allergic reactions."
- The lawsuit identifies triclorfon (Dylox), a neurotoxic organophosphate insecticide, as another hazardous pesticide used by TruGreen.
-
Advocacy for Organic Land Management:
- Beyond Pesticides advocates for the adoption of organic land management, a systems approach that eliminates toxic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, promoting the use of organic, compatible products that do not cause harm.
- The organization highlights the success and economic viability of organic land management in lawns, parks, and playing fields across the country.
-
Violation of Consumer Protection Laws:
- Beyond Pesticides alleges that TruGreen's representations and omissions violate the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act (DC CPPA).
- The organization is represented by the Richman Law Group in New York City.
In conclusion, the information provided by Beyond Pesticides underscores the importance of scrutinizing claims made by companies regarding the safety and environmental impact of the chemicals they use, particularly in the context of lawn care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
