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So often, it is those little steps that make a big
difference.
- Like picking up your children's and/or pet's toys
from the yard before treating the grass with "weed and
feed" chemicals.
- Like keeping your family and/or pets off a lawn newly
treated with fertilizers and pesticides.
- Like reading and following directions before you
start applying chemicals to your lawn. There is a reason
why the labels have "WARNING" and "POISON" on them.
Fertilizers and pesticides contain chemicals that when
used on your yard can kill the weeds and feed the grass. But
those same chemicals may have a dramatically different
effect on other garden plants, you, your family and pets,
and, depending on the wind, your neighbor's plants and
family.
The poisons contained in fertilizers and pesticides are
absorbed through the skin, by mouth, or by breathing the
sprays or dust from the lawn care products. "The person
applying the chemicals should take special precautions and
wear protective clothing--long-sleeved shirts, long pants,
chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses or goggles--to
minimize the exposure dangers," says Tammy Meehan, M.D.,
University of Iowa Children's Hospital pediatrician. "Don't forget to
wash your hands or shower immediately after applying the
chemicals."
If any illness or abnormal conditions occur during or
after exposure to the chemicals, contact your doctor
immediately. If you or a member of your family shows
symptoms of poisoning, contact the Poison Control Center at
800-222-1222 or call UI Health Access at 319-384-8442, ext.
403, or 800-777-8442, ext. 403, for emergency information.
Be sure to have the product label so you can give the label
information.
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For more information:
Listed above are several Web sites that offer additional
information on this topic. University of Iowa Health Care
does not sponsor or endorse these sites, or guarantee the
accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These
links are here for general information only, and should not
be used for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have any
questions, please contact UI
Health Access.
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