weeds

More homeowners are turning to natural yards, as the industry matures, learns and expands. Studies have found that people exposed to pesticides had a 70 percent higher incidence of Parkinson ’s disease, while golf course superintendents have high cancer rates. Now, there are many more options for homeowners to go organic gradually.

Environmental groups launched a public campaign to urge state officials to stop applying toxic herbicides for vegetation control along state roadways. Members of the Massachusetts Coalition for Pesticide Reduction maintain that herbicides, which the state resumed using in 2003, are harmful to people and the environment.