Garden

Glyphosate is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Group 2A). Its primary metabolite, AMPA, is more persistent in soil and water. Glyphosate is now detectable in the urine of the majority of the general population in countries where it is widely used.

Manual weeding, steam weeding, or acetic acid (horticultural vinegar) for hard surface weeds

A steam weeder kills weeds by heat without any chemical residue. On patios and paths, horticultural vinegar (20% acetic acid) is effective and biodegrades rapidly.

Pyrethroid insecticides have endocrine-disrupting effects in mammals at repeated exposure levels. Neonicotinoids, used in granular lawn treatments, are a primary driver of pollinator decline and have been detected in human urine. Children playing on treated lawns or soil are the highest-risk group.

Companion planting, physical barriers, and targeted biological controls instead of broad-spectrum insecticides

For specific pest problems: neem oil (aphids), copper tape (slugs and snails), Bacillus thuringiensis (caterpillars), and beneficial nematodes (vine weevils and leather jackets) are all effective without synthetic chemistry.

A 2022 study by the Ecology Center found PFAS in 100% of drinking water from garden hoses tested. Many hoses use PFAS-based coatings for flexibility and kink resistance. Water that sits in a hot garden hose and is then used for watering edible plants or filling paddling pools transfers PFAS directly.

Stainless steel reinforced hose, natural rubber hose, or PFAS-free certified hose

Look for hoses explicitly labelled PFAS-free or drinking-water safe. Run the first 30 seconds of water from any hose into a drain before using on edible plants.

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was the standard wood preservative for garden timber until 2003 (EU) and 2004 (US residential). Existing CCA-treated timber continues to leach arsenic and chromium, particularly when wet or degraded. Children touching or sitting on old CCA-treated decking have measurably elevated urinary arsenic.

Seal existing CCA timber with a penetrating wood sealant; replace with FSC-certified untreated hardwood or composite decking

If you have decking installed before 2004, assume it is CCA-treated unless certified otherwise. A penetrating sealant reduces arsenic leaching significantly. When replacing, specify untreated certified hardwood (teak, iroko, or western red cedar).

Plastic and resin garden furniture degrades under UV light, releasing microplastic particles and chemical additives including UV stabilisers and phthalates. Hot summer conditions accelerate off-gassing and surface degradation.

FSC-certified solid wood or powder-coated steel garden furniture

Teak, iroko, or FSC-certified pine are naturally weather resistant. Powder-coated steel is durable with minimal chemical off-gassing.

Metaldehyde slug pellets are acutely toxic to dogs, cats, birds and hedgehogs. They also contaminate groundwater: metaldehyde was detected in UK drinking water sources at levels exceeding regulatory standards repeatedly in the 2010s, leading to a UK sales ban in 2022.

Iron phosphate slug pellets (sold as Ferramol or similar)

Iron phosphate pellets are approved for organic gardening and are not acutely toxic to mammals or birds. They degrade to iron and phosphate in soil.