Tri City Rentals, the company that owns and operates a multitude of apartment complexes throughout the Western and Capital regions of New York State, habitually employs pesticides as a means of managing the green areas on their properties. This includes the 1600 Elmwood Apartment Complex in Brighton, NY, where TriCity Rentals is currently using pesticides Mec Amine D and 18-0-4 fertilizer with .375 Evade. These chemicals pose serious health risks to the local community and ecosystem, and their use should be halted and replaced with healthier, more sustainable alternatives.

Mec Amine D, a widely used herbicide, carries with it potentially serious health implications, including increasing the risk of respiratory and intestinal issues, as well as skin irritation for those exposed to it. It has also been implicated in nervous and endocrine system disruption, liver and kidney toxicity, and has been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 18-0-4 fertilizer with .375 Evade - an insecticide - contains chemicals that can cause numbness, skin tingling, and eye irritation, as well as neurological, intestinal, and endocrine system disruption. The cumulative exposure from these applications can lead to a variety of both acute and chronic health problems which degrade the quality of life for all residents and the surrounding community.

Beyond human health concerns, the environmental impact of these chemicals cannot be overstated. The use of Mec Amine D contributes to the degradation of local ecosystems, harming beneficial insects like bees and butterflies by reducing their food sources, thus disrupting bird populations, and contaminating soil and waterways. It is also extremely prone to drift, meaning that it can evaporate and disperse to other areas and damage non-target plants, including crops. .375 Evade is extremely toxic to aquatic organisms such as fish and invertebrates. Eutrophication caused by excess nitrogen and potassium runoff from 18-0-4 fertilizer can lead to algae blooms that deplete oxygen and kill aquatic life.

The focus on maintaining monocultural lawns prioritizes aesthetics over ecological health, reducing biodiversity and natural resilience against pests and diseases. There are sustainable alternatives to the current methods employed by TriCity Rentals. Organic lawn care solutions, including the use of natural fertilizers and eco-friendly pest control methods, can achieve a healthy, green landscape without the adverse health and environmental consequences. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, for example, focus on lawn health and soil condition, encouraging natural predator populations and promoting a diversified ecosystem.

Our community deserves a safe, healthy environment where families can thrive. Join us in urging TriCity Rentals to cease the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers at the 1600 Elmwood Apartment Complex. Together, we can encourage practices that support both human health and environmental sustainability.

Sign this petition to protect our health, our community, and our planet. Act now for a healthier tomorrow.

 

Sources:

https://www.epa.gov/nps

https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/

https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution 

https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/bifgen.html 

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/24Dgen.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0454.html 

https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/24-d 

https://www.willowbottom.com/why-we-should-avoid-a-monoculture-lawn/