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Houseplants can really help clean the air in your home
Research has shown that these 10 plants are the most effective
all-around in counteracting off-gassed chemicals and
contributing to balanced internal humidity.
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Toxic Waste in
Fertilizers
By Andy Summa
 You may be turning your backyard garden into a toxic waste dumping ground and not even know it, according to a new report.
Many fertilizers are made from industrial toxic waste, charges a report from the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG).
The report lists 20 fertilizers that contain levels of toxic metals that exceed basic limits set on wastes sent to public landfills.
“Waste Lands: The Threat of Toxic Fertilizer," released in May by
PIRG, reports on tests of 29 fertilizers bought in 12 states. A total of 22
toxic metals were found in the fertilizer products, including arsenic and lead,
according to the Environment News Service.
Between 1990 and 1995, 600 companies from 44 different states sent 270 million pounds of toxic waste to farms and fertilizer companies across the country.
“It's unacceptable for fertilizer manufacturers to use farms and gardens as a
dumping ground for toxic waste," said Jeremiah Baumann, environmental
health advocate for PIRG. "When industrial facilities generate toxic waste,
pass it off to fertilizer manufacturers, and call it recycling, they're playing
a dangerous game with our environment and our health."
Amplifying the importance of organic bedding and fertilizer, the report said fertilizer products become contaminated when manufacturers buy toxic waste from industrial facilities to obtain low cost plant nutrients, such as zinc or iron. The fertilizers were found to contain arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury.
Many of these contaminants are known to cause cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity or other serious health effects. Lead, mercury, cadmium and dioxin are known to accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals and humans.
"There is no justification for putting products that contain toxic wastes on the lawns where our children play, or on the land where we grow our food," said Baumann. "The EPA should not just be limiting the amounts of toxic waste in fertilizers - they should be prohibiting toxic wastes in fertilizers."
Andy Summa is a freelance writer in Sugar Land, Texas.
Seed Starting Season... Fall
is time to plant bulbs and other early blooming plants in many parts of the country, and here is a great idea to grow great plants from Gardener's Supply Company!
It is very easy to
over-water seedlings simply because the spray of water comes out of the can too fast; many seedlings have to be thrown out because of rot. Pamper seeds instead with a soft mist using this nursery-quality nozzle that produces a fine mist that thoroughly soaks seedlings without knocking them down or disturbing the soil. Unlike most misting nozzles that restrict water flow to a trickle, this one delivers 1 gallon of water a minute. Solid brass. Fits standard 3/4 inch
hose.
A Year-Round Sprout Garden
in Your Own Kitchen!
Efficiently grow
your own sprouts with a sprouter from
Vitality Plus.
These unique appliances maintain the precise temperature and
moisture requirements for these delicate little plants.
Keep a continuous supply going for salads, sandwiches, and more!
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