Petition: Ban Cosmetic Pesticide Use to Protect Public Health and the Environment

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To U.S. Lawmakers and State Legislators:

We, the undersigned, call on you to support legislation that bans the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes, those applied not to protect crops or manage serious infestations, but simply to maintain the appearance of lawns, parks, and public spaces.

Every year in the U.S., over 80 million pounds of pesticides are sprayed in residential neighborhoods, schoolyards, and playgrounds to kill weeds like dandelions. Mounting research links these chemicals to childhood cancers, asthma, neurodevelopmental harm, hormone disruption, immune suppression, and environmental degradation. These risks are especially severe for children, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic illnesses or chemical sensitivity.

We do not need perfect grass at the expense of public health.

We ask for your leadership to:

• Ban non-essential (cosmetic) pesticide use in residential, municipal, and commercial landscapes

• Support safer, organic, and mechanical landscaping alternatives

• Invest in community education and transition support for pesticide-free public spaces

• Model U.S. policy after successful international reforms like those in Quebec and Ontario

This is not a ban on all pesticide use, just those that are unnecessary and harmful.

The time to act is now. Let’s prioritize health over aesthetics and build neighborhoods where families, children, pollinators, and ecosystems can thrive.

Sign your name and stand with us to Make America Healthy Again.
Together, we can end toxic lawn culture and create a safer, greener future.

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