Pesticides, Cancer Risk, and Long Island Lawns: Research Resources

Key Databases & Regulations

For a report linking lawn-care pesticides to cancer—especially for applicators (landscapers, golf course workers)—start with these authoritative sources:

1. Cornell Turf Pesticides and Cancer Risk Database: envirocancer.cornell.edu/turf – searchable by chemical, cancer type, exposure scenario.
2. NYS Pesticide Regulations (6 NYCRR Parts 320-329): Cornell PMEP – licensing, restricted-use categories.
3. NYS DEC Pesticide Program: dec.ny.gov – registration, enforcement, applicator certification.
4. Registered Pesticides in NYS (PDF): List – note "Restricted Use" column; these require license and pose highest risk.

Critical Context

• ~Half of U.S. households hire lawn services—likely using restricted-use pesticides.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro has multiple NYS DEC violations (e.g., unregistered Grubex formula with halofenozide, 2002).
• Carbaryl (in Ortho Bug-Geta, Bug-B-Gon) is classified as a suspected carcinogen.
• Several Scotts products banned in NY but sold in states with weaker laws.

Research Tips

Focus on occupational exposure studies (landscapers, greenskeepers). Compare cancer rates in cohorts with/without pesticide applicator licenses. Use Cornell's database to identify specific chemicals used on LI lawns and their carcinogenicity classifications.