Little yellow warning signs

Dear Editor,

Now that summer is here,

I’ve noticed those little yellow warning signs being posted on lawns again in the Kingston neighborhood where I walk for exercise — upper Pearl Street, Ringtop Road, Wilkie Avenue and Overlook Drive.

These signs indicate that the homeowner uses a service that applies pesticides (herbicides) to their lawns to prevent weeds, etc. Several applications are often used by homeowners each season.

New York state law requires that these warning signs be posted for a period of time after the pesticides are applied on lawns, for safety. The signs show a pictogram of an adult, a child and a dog all inside a circle with an ‘X’ over it, and the printed warning, “DO NOT ENTER.”

I have to believe the chemicals being used on these lawns are dangerous to humans and animals to breathe/ingest. When I walk by a lawn that’s been treated with these chemicals, I can sometimes smell them — they vaporize into the surrounding air.

I’ve counted nine homeowners who use this pesticide service in this neighborhood, including, I believe, two medical doctors who own homes there — medical doctors. Some people may say that these chemicals have not been proven to be dangerous. That’s what was said about the herbicide Roundup until further research and lawsuits indicated otherwise.

To all homeowners who use this pesticide service: Is a perfectly green, weed-free lawn really worth the price of endangering the health of your family, your neighbors and your community?

Beth Hill Kingston, N.Y.