Illinois village considers ban on phosphorus fertilizers

Officials in Mundelein, Ill., are considering enacting a ban on fertilizers containing phosphorus, according to the Daily Herald. Other cities in Illinois, including Libertyville, Lindenhurst, Antioch and other suburbs, have already banned the nutrient.

In 2010, Illinois banned lawn care companies from using fertilizers with phosphorous on residential lawns. The state also limits the amount of phosphorous in cleaning agents, like detergents.

A proposal states stores would have to post signs on shelves saying fertilizers containing phosphorous couldn’t be used on lawns in Mundelein, the Daily Herald reports. Local residents could still use phosphorous fertilizers on flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, an official told the Daily Herald.

Mayor Steve Lents told the Daily Herald the rules wouldn’t really be enforceable, as police officers won’t test lawns for phosphorous, but he hopes they bring attention to “a big problem” and lead to stricter legislation.

“That’s really the only place that a solution for this can come from,” Lentz told the Daily Herald.

Read the full story at dailyherald.com.