What kind of pesticides are used on golf courses

The Pesticide Specialist explained that pesticides are used on golf courses and other recreational areas to maintain the health and appearance of the turf. James learned that most golf courses have highly trained golf course superintendents who manage the course, including turf management and pest control strategies.

It is also common to have at least one certified pesticide applicator on staff to ensure that pesticides are being used properly. When pesticides are used, activity on the golf course may pose a possible risk of exposure to pesticide residues. The most likely way for golfers to be exposed is through direct skin contact with the turf, such as on bare hands, arms, and lower legs. This presents quite a conundrum — Health Canada determines a pesticide is safe provided the users adhere to the prescribed application methods but in field testing of surface waters to determine actual concentrations is not possible.

None of the drinking water standards is intended to protect surface waters and aquatic life. Since , the Watershed Trust has been regularly conducting sampling of water runoff from area golf courses and documenting our findings. We have contacted Environment Canada as well as the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks to voice our concerns and to present our key recommendations.

We continue to communicate with federal and provincial authorities with the intention of improving the legislative framework around pesticide use and its impact on surface water quality.

You can help the Trust in its efforts by becoming a member or by making a tax-deductible donation. If you are a golfer, talk to your Golf Course Superintendent about their pesticide use — encourage them to take up more sustainable and best practice turf management practices. It is to be phased out in years Health Canada April 11, The fungicides are registered by Health Canada to combat turfgrass diseases such as snow mould, dollar spot, anthracnose, leaf spot, and brown patch.

Major Regulatory Changes in Ontario Dec Health Canada carefully regulates pesticide use in Canada through a program of pre-market scientific assessment, enforcement, education, and information dissemination. The primary critical findings include: Conditional registered pesticides allowed to be in use for lengthy periods — in many cases greater than 5 years.

This means PMRA has not conducted the risk assessment in its totality; Failure to confirm whether the risks to using neonicotinoids are acceptable since ; When re-evaluating Pesticides required every 15 years , when required, the cumulative health effects have not been assessed; The PMRA has made insufficient progress in completing the re-evaluations of older pesticides; and Unreasonably long withdrawal time periods for pesticides deemed to be ineffective or dangerous to humans and the environment.

Challenges with Regulation, Reporting, and Testing The Watershed Trust is concerned about the potential of pesticide impact to area streams that flow from the Blue Mountains Watershed into Georgian Bay.

You can help You can help the Trust in its efforts by becoming a member or by making a tax-deductible donation. Contact the relevant government ministers: Office of the Hon. Minister of Health Public Inquiries: Phone: or While the methods used to maintain an organic golf course are similar to those used to maintain an organic lawn, the high expectations placed on golf courses require significant time, attention, and willingness to experiment.

Soil health must be prioritized. Soils must be regularly aerated, kept at a proper pH and nutrient content, seeded with the right grass seed, and watered carefully. Cultural practices are emphasized so that least-toxic and biologically based pesticides are used only as a last resort.

The success of organic and ecologically managed golf courses throughout the US show that this effort is worth it.