Are We Ignorant of the Toxic Facts?

I live in a lovely home in Orange County, California. My gated community is designated 55 and over, and the houses sell for well over a million dollars. Recently, I received an email from my HOA letting me know that one of the outdoor common areas was going to be refurbished and they were going to be spraying Lifeline Herbicide. The notice included the warning, "While the park will be taped off, we want to remind everyone to not enter the area for safety reasons." 

After doing some research, I notified my property manager that the herbicide, whose active ingredient is Glufosinate-ammonium,  is  actually banned in over 30 countries due to health concerns.  I mentioned the increase in Parkinson’s cases and that researchers believe most cases are environmental in origin.  I said I was concerned that the toxins would get in our water supply and asked if there wasn’t some other way the task could be completed. 

The response I got back was only a few short paragraphs, but it spoke volumes about a huge problem we have here in the U.S.  I was told, 

“While we do appreciate your concern for the use of chemicals, the product does dissolve quickly and is most effective in the elimination of unwanted turf. You should remain out of the immediate area and do not enter upon the grass that has been treated.” 

 It was also mentioned that my home is 

“some distance away from the treated area, thus there should be no concern to your home or the surrounding area. The treatment is isolated to the park area. And there is no directive from the Board of Directors to move in another direction as they have trust that our vendor is applying the solutions in a safe manner.”

I believe that most people are inherently good and I honestly don’t think that my property manager, or HOA board, would intentionally put the health of our residents at risk.  I believe the problem lies in ignorance of the facts.  I really think that most people believe that if a substance is allowed to be sold and used, it must be safe. I urge everyone to read the research. Get involved in keeping our communities healthy.  There are many chemicals being used in the U.S. that scientists have shown to cause cancer, Parkinson’s and other illnesses.  We are still using TCE and Paraquat.  The skyrocketing rate of Parkinson’s disease alone is an indicator that something is very wrong.  Dr. Ray Dorsey, author of Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescrription for Action, states, “We know how to prevent Parkinson’s and we aren’t doing it.”  

In my letter to my HOA, I did not mention the fact that I already have Parkinson’s.  I am already screwed.  There is no cure.  I am hoping that maybe something I say will help prevent someone else from facing the same fate. If we continue to stick our heads in the sand, the situation will continue to deteriorate,  and more people will get sick.  I know you don't think it could happen to you, because I never thought it would happen to me. 

This summer marks the nine year anniversary of my Young Onset Parkinson's diagnosis.  

Written 4/18/2025 by Lauren Simmons