The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers pet waste a “nonpoint source of pollution” which puts dog poop in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals!
Not Even Fertilizer
Woof-woof waste does not make a good fertilizer. It is actually toxic to lawns, causing burns and unsightly discoloring. It has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. The EPA even estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 canines would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.
Dog feces are one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:
- Heartworms
- Whipworms
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
- Parvo
- Corona
- Giardiasis
- Salmonellosis
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Campylobacteriosis
Why all this fanfare for feces, you may ask?
The EPA explains that the decay of your pet’s waste also creates nutrients for weeds and algae that grow in the waterways. As these organisms thrive on your dog’s droppings, they overtake the water and limit the amount of light that can penetrate the water’s surface. As a result, oxygen levels in the water decrease, and the fish and seafood we eat can be asphyxiated.
A Toxic Cycle
If you aren’t worried about the state of your local waterways, you may be a bit more concerned about the impact of dog waste a little closer to home. The thing about persistently disposing of stools improperly (or not at all) is that it kicks off a harmful cycle that can affect your whole family—including your pet.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pet droppings can contribute to diseases animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected dog waste is deposited on your lawn, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in your soil for years. Anyone who comes into contact with that soil — be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means — runs the risk of coming into contact with those eggs; especially your dog.
Some of the hard-to-pronounce parasites your lawn could harbor include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, as well as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms. Infections from these bugs often cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Children are most susceptible, since they often play in the dirt and put things in their mouths or eyes.
What You Can Do
Picking up after your dog is not just polite - it's the law in most states and communities. Do not assume that it will eventually go away. Instead, pack a few Dogipot® Smart Litter Pick Up Bags™.
Dogipot® Smart Litter Pick Up Bags™ are the smart solution to dog pollution and feature d2w - a scientifically proven plastic technology that is biodegradable and certified tested to ASTM D6954.
The d2w bio technology is a masterbatch technology which turns ordinary plastic, at the end of its useful life and in the presence of oxygen, into a material with a different molecular structure. At the end of the process, it is no longer a plastic, and has changed into a material which is biodegradable, by bacteria and fungi, in the open environment. If it ends up in the open environment, the d2w additive takes effect and the product begins to degrade leaving nothing more than carbon dioxide, water and biomass behind – no heavy metals or other toxic residues.
Perfect for your pocket or dog park dispensers, these handy 8-in x 13-in opaque green bags allow pet owners to hygienically pick and pack up dog waste and are the most effective, dependable and economical tool used to help eliminate dog waste pollution. They are thick enough to withstand various environmental elements and complete the pickup job, yet not too big or thick that just adds unnecessary costs or material to the waste stream.
- 200 perforated bags per roll, per dispenser box
- 0.8 mil/20 microns
- 8-in x 13-in size
- Opaque green color
According to the EPA, “The reluctance of many residents to handle dog waste is the biggest limitation to controlling pet waste." So, in essence, the cycle begins and ends with you. In order to prevent the spread, good sanitation and environmental control are essential and before you and your best friend head out for a stroll at the park, beach or campground be sure to pack a few Dogipot® Smart Litter Pick up Bags
