Contaminated play grounds a threat to Britain's children's health
A shocking discovery has been made at playgrounds across the UK, with campaigners warning that thousands of litres of glyphosate-based herbicides are being used on public green spaces. The controversial weedkiller has been linked to cancer and other serious health conditions.
The Pesticides Action Network (Pan) UK took swabs and soil samples at 13 playgrounds in Kent, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Tower Hamlets and Hackney. Eight of these sites showed traces of glyphosate or its breakdown product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). The only area free from the contaminant was Hackney, which went glyphosate-free in public green spaces in 2021.
"This is deeply concerning to find a highly hazardous pesticide like glyphosate present in playgrounds where our children play," said Nick Mole of Pan UK. "Young children tend to put their fingers and other items in their mouths, so finding glyphosate residues on play equipment is particularly worrying."
Campaigners argue that the use of glyphosate runs counter to what playgrounds ought to be about - providing a safe space for nature and survival. Siân Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, has tabled a private member's bill calling for councils to ban the use of glyphosate in public areas.
Many councils have already taken steps to reduce their reliance on the weedkiller, finding alternative methods to control plant growth. However, thousands of litres remain being used across Britain.
"This should be their safest place," said Dafina Bozha at Victoria Park, where her young daughter was climbing on a roundabout. "If it's something that gets to my child's health, it's something that's very important to me."
Another mother, Naz B, expressed similar concerns, saying "Kids are around the park to touch the grass and the mud... no one wants unnatural visitors."
A shocking discovery has been made at playgrounds across the UK, with campaigners warning that thousands of litres of glyphosate-based herbicides are being used on public green spaces. The controversial weedkiller has been linked to cancer and other serious health conditions.
The Pesticides Action Network (Pan) UK took swabs and soil samples at 13 playgrounds in Kent, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Tower Hamlets and Hackney. Eight of these sites showed traces of glyphosate or its breakdown product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). The only area free from the contaminant was Hackney, which went glyphosate-free in public green spaces in 2021.
"This is deeply concerning to find a highly hazardous pesticide like glyphosate present in playgrounds where our children play," said Nick Mole of Pan UK. "Young children tend to put their fingers and other items in their mouths, so finding glyphosate residues on play equipment is particularly worrying."
Campaigners argue that the use of glyphosate runs counter to what playgrounds ought to be about - providing a safe space for nature and survival. Siân Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, has tabled a private member's bill calling for councils to ban the use of glyphosate in public areas.
Many councils have already taken steps to reduce their reliance on the weedkiller, finding alternative methods to control plant growth. However, thousands of litres remain being used across Britain.
"This should be their safest place," said Dafina Bozha at Victoria Park, where her young daughter was climbing on a roundabout. "If it's something that gets to my child's health, it's something that's very important to me."
Another mother, Naz B, expressed similar concerns, saying "Kids are around the park to touch the grass and the mud... no one wants unnatural visitors."
glyphosate is literally everywhere right now & it's crazy that thousands of litres are still being used in playgrounds! I mean our kids are supposed to be safe zones where they can run around wild & free, not potentially ingesting poisonous chemicals. it's heartbreaking to hear those moms worrying about their little ones coming into contact with this stuff 
what's wrong with just using natural methods to control plant growth? it's all about creating a safe space for our kids to grow & thrive 
Ugh, I just can't believe this! They're using glyphosate-based herbicides on playgrounds 
. Like what's next? Spraying pesticides on our schools?! It's crazy that they even use it in the first place. And now we find out that thousands of litres are still being used across Britain, despite councils taking steps to reduce their reliance on it. 
The fact that it shows up at 8 out of 13 playgrounds is just shocking 
The Green MP's bill calling for glyphosate bans in public areas is about time too 
. Can't councils just use more natural methods to control plant growth already?! It's like they're putting profits over people... and our kids' health is worth way more than that 
playgrounds should be the last place you wanna expose ur kidz 2 toxic stuff like glyphosate 
cant believe councils still using it after so many ppl voice concern its not just about cancer n health probs, its bout trust & safety we send our lil ones 2 play areas knowing its safe 4 them 2 climb n explore but when they get poisoned on the go thats a whole different story 
. I get that it's a convenient solution or whatever, but what about all the other options out there? Like, seriously, have they considered like, natural stuff instead? It's not like we need glyphosate to make grass grow or something 
. We need to step up our game here! Our playgrounds should be safe spaces for kids to explore and learn, not toxic zones 
. We need more awareness campaigns and stuff like that. It's time to take action and make our playgrounds glyphosate-free zones 
!
. We need to make our playgrounds glyphosate-free ASAP! 
.
Kids shouldn't have to worry about their environment being toxic while they play outside. It's so important for them to learn how to coexist with nature, not poison themselves. 
Like, we knew it was bad for us, but now they're starting to listen 
And Siân Berry's bill is a great idea - banning the stuff from public areas would be amazing for our kiddos' health 
Plus, people are speaking out and taking action - that's so empowering! 
. And it's awesome that some councils have already started finding alternative methods to control plant growth. We need more of this kind of thinking 
but at what cost? 
. It's not like we're gonna see a bunch of weedkiller-covered swings and slides on our next visit 
. Can't councils just go glyphosate-free already? 
Apparently thousands of litres of it are being used and that's just crazy. I know some councils have switched to natural methods but it's not like they're doing it overnight. It's a start, though. Maybe if enough people voice their concerns like these mums do, then something will change? 
My daughter plays in the park near me all the time and she puts her face right up against the grass... I guess that's a bit worrying now 