RISE responds

To the Editor:

Re “The Toxic Brew in Our Backyards,” by Diane Lewis (Sunday Review, May 11):

My young children’s health is my top priority as a father. Your article about lawn care pesticides leaves out the essential role pesticides play in protecting our families and communities.

Pesticides are one important tool for managing stinging and disease-carrying insects, invasive pests and allergy-causing weeds. Together with other common-sense practices, the right pesticide — used when and where needed and according to label instructions — offers reliable control for problems that can affect our well-being and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency rigorously reviews the most current scientific and health data for all pesticide products before they are made available for use. Once approved, pesticide products are continually assessed against the most current scientific and health standards to ensure that they can be used safely.

Let’s not disregard the value that these products offer. Instead, let’s commit to using them appropriately, to protect the health of our families and the environment.

AARON HOBBS
Washington, May 12, 2014

The writer is the president of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment, the trade group for the pesticide industry.