A lush lawn creates a sense of pride for many American homeowners, but a new study finds that utilizing a chemical lawn service to achieve those results is likely causing malignant cancer in many pet dogs.
In the study, researchers identified 263 dogs with biopsy-confirmed canine malignant lymphoma (CML), 240 dogs with benign tumors, and 230 dogs undergoing surgeries unrelated to cancer. Then, they asked the pet owners to complete a 10-page questionnaire. Scientists found that dogs with malignant lymphoma were 70 percent more likely to live in a home where professionally applied lawn pesticides had been used. Dogs with the serious malignancy were also 170-more likely to come from homes where owners used chemical insecticides to combat pests inside of the home.
Interesting, this study found that use of flea and tick control products did not appear to cause an increased risk of canine lymphoma.
Humans should take this study as a warning, too. The methods researchers used to determine risk in the dog study are part of a trusted model for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk in humans. Other studies have linked lawn chemicals to melanoma and childhood leukemia.
Source:
Abstract of Environmental Health 112(1): 171-6 (Jan. 2012).
No comments:
Post a Comment