Philadelphia City Council encourages Parks and Recreation department to discontinue use of chemical weed killers

Fresh and Unfiltered Insights on Philadelphia's Climate Change Battle

Hey there! Delving into the spirited discussions of Philadelphia's council, we find ourselves in the midst of a heated debate over the use of chemical herbicides in public spaces. From the verdant hills of the Poconos to the bustling Jersey Shore, people are asking questions, and we're here to answer! So, what do you wanna know about climate change in Philly? Drop us a line!

The City Council has thrown some serious shade on Parks and Rec officials for flouting a 2020 law that outlaws the use of poisonous chemicals like herbicides in public green spaces. Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad called out these chemicals for what they are - poison - and questioned why the Parks and Rec department is ignoring the law.

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"I can't believe we're having this conversation again because it's pretty clear these chemicals are poison," Ahmad said at a City Council hearing. "There's no reason to use them."

Upshot, the law, referred to as HOPS (Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces), forbids the use of these toxic chemicals in city-owned parks, playgrounds, trails, and recreation centers. The law also requires the city's Department of Parks and Recreation to report annually on the use of pesticides to City Council.

Parks and Rec Commissioner Sue Slawson maintains that the department has tried to use natural herbicides and even goats to tackle weeds, but nothing has been successful so far.

In the same hearing, led by the Committee on Labor and Civil Services, as well as the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Linda Stern of Toxic Free Philly testified as a medical professional who spent her career treating veterans exposed to the toxic herbicide Agent Orange. Stern stated that Parks and Rec sprays one of the two active ingredients of Agent Orange on playgrounds regularly.

And guess what? Yep, you got it - glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide on the planet, is sprayed “by the ton in Philadelphia.” Scientific evidence shows that exposure to glyphosate poses a danger to humans, especially pregnant women, young children, and applicators. The World Health Organization labels glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen,” but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says exposure to glyphosate does not pose a risk to human health, as long as it's used correctly - a decision that’s been challenged in courts.

Cancer Survivor Speaks Up

Nasir Johnson, a 19-year-old cancer survivor, believes his leukemia might have originated from playing basketball on a city court. Johnson spent over a year at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia undergoing 45 blood transfusions and nine operations.

"I used to play basketball at Lonnie Young Center when I was 14. I started to feel short of breath when I played basketball one morning. I woke up with a bruise on my face. It came out of nowhere," Johnson testified at the hearing. "My mom was concerned and took me to a doctor, it turned out I had leukemia."

The question on the table remains unanswered: if there's even a remote possibility that herbicides sprayed on city courts are causing cancer, why continue using them? No final plan of action has been agreed on yet, but both sides intend to review the issue this fall. Stay tuned!

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The use of chemical herbicides in Philadelphia's public spaces is a major point of contention.
City Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad criticized the use of such chemicals, calling them poison.
The Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces (HOPS) law forbids the use of toxic chemicals in city-owned parks, playgrounds, trails, and recreation centers.
Parks and Rec Commissioner Sue Slawson argued that natural herbicides and goats have failed to control weeds.
If you're interested in the science behind the debate, check out our Science Corner.
Dr. Linda Stern, a medical professional, testified that one of the two active ingredients of Agent Orange is regularly sprayed on Philadelphia playgrounds.
Glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide globally, is also sprayed "by the ton" in Philadelphia.
Exposure to glyphosate poses a threat to human health, particularly for pregnant women, young children, and applicators.
The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, however, states that exposure to glyphosate does not pose a risk to human health when used correctly.
Cancer survivor Nasir Johnson believes his leukemia may have originated from playing basketball on a city court.
Johnson spent over a year at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia undergoing extensive treatment.
If there's even a remote possibility that herbicides sprayed on city courts are causing cancer, why continue using them?
A final plan of action on the issue has not been agreed upon yet.
Both sides intend to review the matter this fall.
The debate over herbicides in public spaces underscores the importance of workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness in general.
Chronic diseases like cancer are influenced by numerous factors, including environmental conditions and personal lifestyle choices.
Respiratory conditions and digestive health can also be affected by exposure to harmful chemicals.
Eye health, hearing, and skin conditions are other aspects of wellness that are worthy of our attention.
In the realm of healthcare, therapies and treatments, nutrition, and skin-care are vital components.
The manufacturing industry, in particular, must prioritize workplace-wellness to protect its employees from harmful substances.
Climate change is another significant environmental concern that affects our health and the health of our planet.
Fossil fuels contribute to climate change, and the energy industry plays a massive role in this issue.
Reducing our carbon footprint and transitioning to renewable energy sources is crucial to combat climate change.
In the retail sector, sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important for businesses to adopt.
Transportation is another area where we can make a difference by promoting electric vehicles, cycling, and public transportation.
Cybersecurity is a concern in every industry, from finance to technology, and it's essential to protect our data and digital assets.

Philadelphia City Council encourages Parks and Recreation department to discontinue use of chemical weed killers