Letter to the Editor: Don't spray those dandelions!

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Liz Rog of Decorah):

"This time of year I see lots of dandelions in people's yards, both blooming and going to seed. I always wish I had little thank-you letters to drop in their  mailboxes.

The presence of dandelions is a good sign that the folks in that house, church, school, or business probably do not spray herbicides pesticides on their lawn. What a huge gift they make to the children, adults, pregnant women, birds, insects, and other critters that inhabit our town!

Studies show low levels of exposure to these chemicals are linked to increased rates of miscarriage and to suppression of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems; that exposure to home and garden pesticides can increase a child's likelihood of developing asthma; and that they are linked with hyperactivity, developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and motor dysfunction. (for references and more info, visit beyondpesticides.org).

I'm sure that some of the folks who choose not to spray must endure the criticism of friends, family, or neighbors who do not understand the health costs of dandelion-free lawns, and I thank them for their courage in the face of that pressure.

There are municipalities which, having studied the direct connections between lawn herbicides and diseases, have banned their use. I expect that in the coming years our whole country will head down that same road, and that the next generation will grow up knowing that lawns with a variety of plants are normal and beautiful. In the meantime, hats off to the people who are taking the lead and showing that life can be great even with dandelions in yards—in fact, that life is much better that way."