{"id":33428,"date":"2023-08-28T00:01:42","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T04:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=33428"},"modified":"2023-08-28T17:06:28","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T21:06:28","slug":"labeling-can-help-buyers-avoid-hazards-of-petrochemical-fertilizers-public-comment-by-sep-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2023\/08\/labeling-can-help-buyers-avoid-hazards-of-petrochemical-fertilizers-public-comment-by-sep-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Labeling Can Help Buyers Avoid Hazards of Petrochemical Fertilizers\u2014Public Comment by Sep 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond<\/em> Pesticides<\/em>, August 28, 2023)\u00a0<\/span>As the need to eliminate petrochemical fertilizers looms large in the context of existing existential crises relating to health threats, biodiversity collapse, and the climate emergency, the leadership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is under increasing public scrutiny. One program that is being closely watched is the agency\u2019s Safer Choice product labeling program<\/a> which could, according to advocates, be strategic in differentiating in the marketplace those products that are not contributing to the climate crisis, biodiversity collapse, and dramatic health effects.<\/p>\n

Beyond Pesticides is advocating, in response to a request for public comment from EPA (due September 11, 2023), that EPA (under its Safer Choice program) evaluate fertilizers for compatibility with natural systems, protection of soil organisms, waterways, human health, and helping to mitigate the climate and biodiversity crises. With the Safer Choice label, consumers\u2014from farmers, landscapers, to gardeners\u2014could determine at the point of sale which fertilizer products are not contributing to the floods, fires, and loss of life associated with the climate crisis.<\/p>\n

Beyond Pesticides previously initiated an action urging that EPA\u2019s Safer Choice program be more holistic and in sync with natural systems<\/a>, not just a product substitution program. This week, Beyond Pesticides is taking action (see below) on a specific request to EPA that it labels certain fertilizers as Safer Choice for meeting standards that support the sustainability of life in agriculture, landscaping, and gardening as opposed to introducing (i) petrochemical fertilizers that contribute to the climate emergency, biodiversity collapse, and the destruction of biological systems, or (ii) biosolids that disperse hazardous contaminants. Written comments are due by September 11, 2023 (instructions below).\u00a0<\/p>\n

EPA is considering<\/a>\u00a0expanding its\u00a0Safer Choice<\/a>\u00a0program (not to be confused with Beyond Pesticides\u2019 pre-existing\u00a0Safer Choice<\/a>\u00a0program). EPA\u2019s Safer Choice is a non-regulatory program that identifies alternative chemicals for a number of uses that meet\u00a0expanded safety criteria<\/a>. (For pesticidal uses, the program is called\u00a0Design for the Environment<\/a>\u00a0(DfE), which has so far been limited to\u00a0disinfectants<\/a>.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tell EPA to add fertilizer products to Safer Choice.<\/a> | Comment text at the bottom of the page.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For problems requiring a chemical solution\u2014for example, laundry detergents\u2014EPA\u2019s Safer Choice is a valuable resource, and consumers would be wise to look for the Safer Choice label, which requires that EPA review\u00a0all\u00a0chemical ingredients, that must meet safety criteria for both human health and the environment, including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, toxicity to aquatic life, and persistence in the environment. While EPA\u2019s Safer Choice\/DfE program does an admirable job of performing alternative analyses on chemicals and identifying chemicals that are less hazardous, it stops short of identifying\u00a0systems\u00a0that make chemical inputs unnecessary. Substituting a less toxic pesticide, for example, is not the same as switching to available organic methods.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, sometimes the choice of material drives the choice of system\u2014as is the case for fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers\u2014those granular, powdered, or liquid products identified by NPK (the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)\u2014consist of highly-soluble chemical salts that feed plants directly, but poison soil microorganisms. The choice of such fertilizers rules out an organic system in which fertility inputs feed organisms in the soil, which release substances that feed plants. Chemical fertilizers also contribute to climate change because they are produced with fossil fuels and limit the ability of soil to draw down (sequester) atmospheric carbon, thus undermining efforts to mitigate the climate emergency and the horrific fire and flooding events that destroy life. Chemical fertilizers, in addition, produce weak growth that invites insects to feed on the plants. Aphids, for example, have long been known to\u00a0increase on plants<\/a>\u00a0fertilized with soluble nitrogen fertilizer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

EPA\u00a0encourages<\/a>\u00a0the land application of\u00a0biosolids (sewage sludge<\/a>), noting benefits to soil fertility and structure and other \u201ceconomic and waste management benefits (e.g., conservation of landfill space; reduced demand on nonrenewable resources like phosphorus; and a reduced demand for synthetic fertilizers).\u201d However, as summarized by the\u00a0Guardian<\/a>, \u201cNow the practice is behind a growing number of public health problems. Spreading pollutant-filled biosolids on farmland is\u00a0making people sick<\/a>,\u00a0contaminating drinking water<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0filling crops<\/a>,\u00a0livestock<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0humans\u00a0<\/a>with everything from pharmaceuticals to PFAS.\u201d Biosolids used as fertilizer also\u00a0contribute plastic<\/a>\u00a0to the soil. Unfortunately,\u00a0many products<\/a>\u00a0derived from biosolids are sold as \u201corganic\u201d fertilizers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The wise gardener or farmer chooses soil amendments that are not toxic to the soil, environment, or consumers. One way to ensure freedom from chemical fertilizers or biosolids is to\u00a0look for<\/a>\u00a0the\u00a0OMRI<\/a>\u00a0(Organic Materials Review Institute) seal. Organic standards specifically prohibit the use of sewage sludge (aka biosolids), but the home gardener may not always be able to discern the materials from which \u201corganic\u201d fertilizers are made. In addition, \u201corganic\u201d fertilizers sourced from composted manure generally come from nonorganic confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and may also\u00a0contain undesirable contaminants<\/a>,\u00a0such as antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, pesticide degradants, or heavy metals. Since these contaminants are not regulated, Safer Choice could offer an additional indicator of safety for gardeners and farmers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dates:<\/strong><\/p>\n