Their decision came after hearing from an advocacy group about the dangers of pesticides in the county?EUR??,,????'???s parks and schools, linking the use of such substances to diseases like asthma, cancer and learning disabilities in children

Though county staff vowed to study the issue, Tim Hughes, athletic supervisor for Albemarle County Parks and Recreation, says his department is willing to try nontoxic methods while keeping the fields safe from bugs.

Pat Mullaney, director of Parks and Recreation, says his department wants to make sure green alternatives are still effective cleaners. ?EUR??,,????'??If you?EUR??,,????'???re concerned about a blood-borne pathogen, you want to make sure you?EUR??,,????'???re using [a proper cleaner], because the risk of the chemical itself may not be as high as the cleaning concern.?EUR??,,????'?? Under the interim policy, Mullaney also reserves the right to authorize the use of traditional chemicals to protect the public in the instance of, say, a yellow jacket?EUR??,,????'???s nest in a county park.

Pesticides like Round Up and herbicides like Ronstar are commonly used on the county?EUR??,,????'???s two dozen athletic fields. Tim Hughes, athletics supervisor for Parks and Rec, says he?EUR??,,????'???s not sure whether a nontoxic approach will be effective.

Source: c-ville.com