Traces of cancer linked weedkiller found in playgrounds in Milton Keynes
Pesticide Action Network UK has just published its new study - PLAYING WITH POISONS - which found residues of the weedkiller glyphosate in UK playgrounds including 3 playgrounds in Milton Keynes.
Professor Michael Antoniou, a specialist in Molecular Genetics and Toxicology at Kings College London and UK contributor to the recently published Global Glyphosate Study, said, “Our studies have shown that exposure to glyphosate herbicides is a significant risk factor for the development of a range of serious health conditions, including fatty liver and kidney disease and, most worryingly, a wide range of cancers including leukaemias. The assertion by government regulators that glyphosate is ‘safe’ does not stand up to latest scientific scrutiny, which shows that a ‘safe’ dose of glyphosate is, at present, unknown. Thus, all efforts should be made to reduce glyphosate herbicide use in both agricultural and urban settings, and to eliminate unnecessary routes of exposure, especially for children.”
Professor Antoniou is a supporter of our Pesticide free Milton Keynes petition.
Milton Keynes City Council already committed in December 2025 “to focus particularly on reductions in MKCC managed playgrounds by pursuing preventative measures primarily and also using the flame technology to eradicate weeds”. But we are hoping that in light of this new study they will now take out the option of spraying weedkillers in children’s playgrounds before the policy is formally adopted in February.
The local Milton Keynes Labour team posted last week :-
“The new (MKCC pesticide) policy is to get to as close to zero use as possible, but unfortunately zero use (which we’d like to do) isn’t possible currently. This approach was discussed with and approved by the Pesticide Action Network. On play parks, where it is possible to be avoided, it will be, and other methods will be used. But ultimately if weeds are causing a hazard to equipment, that needs to be addressed.”
What about the hazards of spraying weedkiller to children’s health?
For your information these are the links to the PAN UK study and the article which appeared in the Guardian :-
https://www.pan-uk.org/playgrounds/
In light of this new evidence :-
1. Will Milton Keynes City Council take out of its new Pesticides Policy the option of spraying weedkiller in playgrounds before the policy is adopted in February?
2. Will the Parks Trust, which manages 6000 acres of our green spaces including multiple children’s playgrounds, also commit to stop spraying weedkillers in its playgrounds?
Thank you for your continuing support of our Pesticide free Milton Keynes campaign.
Judith Heinemann, Milton Keynes 25 January 2025