Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) announced earlier this month that a Democratic initiative establishing countywide notification requirements for commercial and residential lawn pesticide applications, which passed through the County Legislature in November 2000, went into effect on March 1.

The legislation effectively signs the county onto a state law passed in mid-2000 that established uniform notification standards for lawn pesticide applications. In addition, the law requires schools and day care centers to provide certain types of notification before and after pesticides are applied on their premises.

According to the legislation, 48-hour written notification of certain pesticide applications must be made to neighboring properties within 150 feet of the application. In addition, people who apply their own lawn pesticides have to flag the treated areas, the way lawn care companies already do.

"This law will allow homeowners to take the necessary precautions to protect their families and pets from potentially harmful pesticides being used near their homes," said Corbin in a joint statement by the Democratic majority. "Additionally, I hope it makes property owners more aware of the hazards of traditional pesticides and of the availability and effectiveness of safer alternatives, such as low-toxicity, nontoxic or organic pesticides."

Corbin further stated that residents wishing to minimize exposure to pesticides when they are being applied locally should do so by closing windows; keeping pets and children indoors; covering barbecues, pools, and outdoor furniture; bringing in children's toys, pet bowls, and laundry; and covering gardens, ornamental plants, and bird feeders.