Southampton, NY—Perfect Earth Project has named Southampton Hospital a PRFCT Place, the first healthcare facility to earn the designation from the East Hampton-based nonprofit. The PRFCT Places program honors public spaces that are committed to maintaining their gardens and lawns without toxic, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
“We’re thrilled that Southampton Hospital has pledged to end the use of synthetic lawn and landscape chemicals on their property,” said Edwina von Gal, Founder/President of Perfect Earth Project. “We hope their commitment to protecting their patients, visitors, and staff from toxic landscape chemicals will serve as an example for other healthcare facilities on Long Island and across the nation.”
Common lawn and landscape chemicals have been linked to a range of serious health issues in humans and pets, including cancers, asthma, neurological disorders, and endocrine disruption. The most vulnerable to these chemicals are children, pregnant women, and pets.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup, is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
Atrazine and 2,4-D, two commonly used herbicides, are known endocrine disruptors, chemicals that interfere with the development and functioning of the reproductive and nervous systems.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Buffalo revealed that common insecticides disrupt circadian rhythms, a condition that creates higher potential risks for diabetes.
“We are pleased to be on the vanguard of support for PRFCT Places. The health of Southampton Hospital’s staff, volunteers, patients, visitors, and pet therapy dogs is critically important and joining the Perfect Earth Project is another opportunity for us to maintain a healthy environment on our campus,” said Robert Chaloner, Hospital President & CEO. The 6.5-acre Southampton Hospital grounds include volunteer-tended plots such as the 20-year old Garden of Hope honoring patients and community members and garden beds at the entrance of the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center. The grounds will be managed by a private landscaping company.
This spring and summer, Perfect Earth Project will provide consulting for Southampton Hospital staff and landscape contractors, training for volunteers in the hospital’s gardens, and educational materials to help staff eliminate their use of landscape chemicals at home. The hospital will post signs and posters to inform visitors about the benefits of toxin-free landscaping for the health of people, wildlife, and local bodies of water. Signage will include Leif, the icon developed by Perfect Earth Project to honor and celebrate PRFCT Places.
The growing list of PRFCT Places on the East End include The Village of East Hampton, Parrish Art Museum in Southampton, Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton, and Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack. In the region, The Phillip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan, Conn., and The High Line, The Battery, and Four Freedoms Park in New York City are all PRFCT Places.
Southampton Hospital will be one of the organizations honored at a celebration of Southampton’s PRFCT Places at Southampton Arts Center on March 19 at 2PM. Perfect Earth Project Founder/President Edwina von Gal will present Leif lawn signs to representatives of Southampton’s PRFCT Places, including Southampton Hospital, Parrish Art Museum, and the Southampton Arts Center. The event is part of A Sense of Place, Southampton Arts Center’s six-week exhibition featuring East End artists reflecting on their environment.
About Perfect Earth Project
Perfect Earth Project, based in East Hampton, NY, promotes PRFCT (toxin-free) lawns and landscapes for the health of people, their pets, and the planet. Perfect Earth Project raises consciousness about the dangers of synthetic landscape chemicals and educates homeowners, landscapers, and businesses in nature-based alternatives that achieve beautiful results at no extra cost.
www.perfectearthproject.org
About Southampton Hospital
An affiliate of Stony Brook Medicine, Southampton Hospital offers a full range ofinpatient and outpatient services and is staffed by more than 280 physicians, dentists, and allied health professionals representing 48 medical specialties.
www.southamptonhospital.org
Contacts
Jess Tonn, Perfect Earth Project
jess@perfectearthproject.org
(631) 907-9040
Marsha Kenny, Southampton Hospital
mkenny@southamptonhospital.org
(631) 726-8700 ext. 4