Safety of Lawn and Garden Products, MF-2279 Click on the image above to download a complete copy of this publication in PDF format. Download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are thinking of using a lawn and garden chemical product, you probably want to know all you can about the product's toxicity and safety to the environment.
All chemicals pose some risk, but some require more caution in their use than others.
In general, it is best for the environment to use chemicals that break down quickly or get taken up quickly by plants. It also is best to use chemicals that are held strongly by soil particles. Chemicals that are soluble generally have a higher chance of moving into water supplies. The chart in this brochure gives you information on the toxicity of some of the most commonly used lawn and garden products. Toxicity ratings apply to the active ingredient.