A new study suggests that there is widespread decline in male reproductive health and endocrine disrupting pesticides are believed to play a significant role. Thirty out of 37 pesticides tested by the researchers altered male hormones, including 16 that had no known hormonal activity until now.
The study, "Widely Used Pesticides with Previously Unknown Endocrine Activity Revealed as in Vitro Anti-Androgens," was published February 2011 in the online edition of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
"This study indicates that, not surprisingly, there are many other endicrine disruptors that we have not yet identified or know very little about," said Emily Barrett, PhD, a University of Rochester assistant professor in obstretics and gynecology. 'This underlines the glaring problem that many of the chemicals that are most widely used today, including pesticides and fungicides, are not adequately tested and may have serious long term impacts on health and development."
Green Golfer Foundation advocates the reduction or elimination of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides commonly used on golf courses. We know that these products are used for a reason, but we also know that there are organic products such as compost and compost tea that do the same jobs. We also know that these organic products are easy and inexpensive to make onsite.
There is no reason to risk the health of golfers or the surrounding communities just to keep the grass one shade greener. The fact is, when it comes to being environmentally responsible, the "greenest" golf course is probably one shade browner.
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