Islanders concerned about the effects of lawn and garden products can now get updated information at several local stores to help them choose options that are people, animal and earth friendly.

A series of information sheets is now available for free at several local stores that sell lawn and garden products. These sheets have been updated from last year and make up a local purchasing guide, with  information on weed, pest, moss, insect and disease control. The sheets let people know what practices and products cause low, medium and high environmental concern to help them choose products accordingly.

“In a perfect world, we would like to see the stores just carry the green products and make as much money,” said Michael Laurie, who was instrumental in compiling the guide this year, as well as in two previous years.

Last year, the information was based on science from the website Grow Smart Grow Safe. This year it is based on guidance from the Pharos Project, run by the Healthy Building Network. Laurie said he and his wife, Diane Emerson, who helped with the project, made that change because they prefer the way the Pharos Project weighs equally concerns for humans, animals and water quality. The result, Laurie said, is that there are fewer products in the green, or low impact, category than last year.

Additionally, he said, his work in this area has made him believe that many people do not read the labels on products they purchase, which can lead to use that causes harm. He noted it is actually against a federal law to use such products in ways they were not intended. While he does not want not want to dwell on illegal practices going on in islanders’ backyards, he said common practices should not be ignored.

“It’s important to have an educational system that matches the reality of the situation, not what we hope people will do,” he said.

In the course of compiling this year’s purchasing guide, Laurie said he and Emerson took note of all the lawn and garden products for sale at island stores, researched their possible effects and categorized them accordingly. They also took care to mention low-impact practices people might not have considered.

“People just want something that works,” he added. “There are some products that could be of harm … and there are safe green alternatives that work.”

The sheets are available at Kathy’s Corner, Island Home Center & Lumber, Ace Hardware and The Country Store and Farm.