Please sign this petition to help keep toxic chemicals out of our communities. 

In 2015, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classified glyphosate and its derivatives in Group 2A, as probable human carcinogens. 

Various scientific and medical studies link chemical glyphosate to cancer, neurological and reproductive harm. So why are we being exposed to dangerous and unnecessary chemicals in our communities? 

Please research health risks associated with weed killers containing diquat and glyphosate, links to cancer, neurological and reproductive harm, and glyphosate class action lawsuits after reading the following issue: 

People, pets and wildlife are unknowingly being exposed to toxic chemicals in our HOA communities. The HOA board, a small group of five (unreachable) individuals, responsible for the welfare of thousands of residents and visitors, has approved hiring contractors to routinely saturate community common areas, private properties and community lakes with toxic chemicals including chemicals known to be linked to cancer and other serious illnesses. Although there are non-toxic alternatives available, the HOA has chosen to continue using toxic chemicals including glyphosate-based weed killers, toxic pesticides, herbicides and insecticides throughout the community and on private properties. Contractors are spraying on and around trees, on mulch and grass, and around homes on private property without disclosing the purpose or type of chemicals used, and without consent from homeowners. They have even been seen using weed killer on ground surfaces and mulch with no weeds and chemicals on lawns and trees with no signs of disease. This improper and excessive unnecessary use is contaminating the environment and can have damaging effects on soil and landscape. They are also applying chemicals with no prior notice or warning, and in areas with no warning signs posted, including where children and pets' play. Also extremely concerning, is the use of chemicals in our community lakes. Our lakes are being contaminated with toxic chemicals including weed killers containing glyphosate and diquat that is causing fish suffocation killing all the small fish that live around the banks. Residents have witnessed the baby fish living in the plant life completely wiped out after chemical use. The natural green plant life in the water is being destroyed and turned to brown sludge. Wildlife is being directly exposed to toxic chemicals including turtles, fish, amphibians, ducks and their babies, aquatic water birds including anhinga's and small pied-billed grebe, and many other bird species including egrets, ibis and endangered and threatened species such as the wood stork. There are also different hawk species nesting in the trees near the lakes, racoons, foxes, reptiles and even domestic animals including neighborhood cats visiting our lakes for food and water.  The natural ecosystem is being destroyed which is harming all life including invertebrates that are vital to the ecosystem. The natural habitat for dragonflies is also being destroyed resulting in excessive mosquitos. The HOA also permits fishing and there are children playing around the banks and fishing in freshly sprayed chemicals.  Pet owners have been seen at the banks with their dogs in the water splashing around and children dipping their hands in the water! There are no prior notices or warnings from the HOA or warning signs posted by the contractor following chemical applications. The chemicals being used are hazardous to humans and domestic animals. Just imagine the ill effects on wildlife, which unfortunately nobody, including lawmakers, seem to care about! It has also been discovered that the HOA at the Keys Gate North Gate community is using the lake water in the community sprinkler system to water common areas and private lawns. The same lake water being contaminated with toxic chemicals! Does this sound right to you? How can residents avoid these chemicals? Homeowners are not even aware this is happening. One resident, a cancer patient (cancer linked to glyphosate), who discovered the issue, had to close off the entire sprinkler system on their property due to health concerns. Such measures negatively impact property values and can cause out of pocket self-maintenance expenses. Does this sound fair? Even the dyed red mulch used throughout the community landscape and around homes is likely to have proposition 65 warnings. Despite complaints the HOA continues to disregard concerns about chemical exposure and also fails to take appropriate action addressing complaints about contractors mishandling or improperly using chemicals in violation of federal law. Complaints have been made about contractors spraying toxic chemical mist in high winds in a manner that causes drift, and around people, and homes in the area. The HOA even orders chemical spraying in high winds, including on days with wind gusts up to 25 and 30 mph. Contractors have claimed they are "just doing their job" according to HOA orders. Complaints have been made directly to contractors and HOA management about spraying in high winds in violation of law. Contractors are also saturating the trees by the lake in mystery chemicals causing drift into the lake. The lake is suffering constant contamination by drift, runoff and intentional chemical applications directly in the water. This cocktail of toxic chemicals is taking a toll on wildlife and posing health concerns for residents.

Please sign this petition and contact your HOA to demand transparency including the name of chemicals, when and where used, and for what purpose. You may also opt out from receiving chemical applications at your property and can be placed on the State registry for “prior notification of pesticide applications”. Additionally, you may request to opt out from mulch applications containing harmful chemicals known to cause cancer and or reproductive harm, Proposition 65 warnings. 

You may follow the links below for information found online and for a printable state application. 

1.       FL Application for Prior Notice of Pesticide Applications: Printable Form  

2.       Miami Dade County Property Record Search: Property Search

Note: Lookup your address and click on neighboring properties for address information to include on the form if you don’t know your next-door neighbors' addresses. 

3.       FL Registry of Persons Requiring Prior Notification of Pesticides: State Registry

4.       FL Statute 482.2267 Regulation of Professions and Occupations Pest Control: FL Statute

5.       File a Pesticide Complaint in FL: File Complaint

6.       International Study Reveals Glyphosate Weed Killers Cause Multiple Types of Cancer: Read Article

7.       Toxic Effects of Glyphosate on the Nervous System: A Systematic Review: Read Article

8.       Re‑Evaluating the Use of Glyphosate‑based Herbicides: Implications on Fertility Read Article

9.      Article about Diquat use:  "The Dangerous Alternative to Glyphosate"

10.  Article about Diquat use: US Weedkiller Ingredient Banned Abroad Shown to Harm Humans and Wildlife

11. Diquat Chemical Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet 2012

12. Diquat and Copper Sulfate, etc. “Researchers identify 10 pesticides toxic to neurons involved in Parkinson’s”:  UCLA and Harvard Research

“The cost of toxic chemical use is more than just dollars out of our pockets. It is at the expense of one’s health, which is priceless. Value your health and well-being, and reject toxic chemicals, it’s not worth the risk.”  -  Someone Who Cares 

Please take the following brief survey to help ban toxic chemicals in HOA communities: QUICK SURVEY

Thank you! Your Choices will Change the World! 

Disclosure:  We, the petitioners, are not the owner or author of any shared websites, articles, online links, attachments, or public resources or sites. Please conduct your own independent research regarding the health risks associated with exposure to chemicals and specific products used within your communities. Please also request and fully read the product manuals and labels to examine the warnings and instructions provided by the chemical product manufacturers. The petition administrator and petitioners assume no liability for any shared information including the use of public internet sites. Please be advised internet sites and its content may be subject to change. We assume no responsibility or cyber liability for any independent or public websites including the State FDAC's website, external links, or attachments. An initial scan for viruses of websites, links and attachments has been conducted; however it is the responsibility of the viewer or recipient to conduct their own security measures, and no responsibility is assumed by the petitioners for loss or damage arising from the receipt or use of public websites, links, pop-ups, or attachments.