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Ban cosmetic use of toxic pesticides

The Canadian Cancer Society is concerned about potentially cancer-causing substances to enhance the appearance of private lawns and gardens, parks, and recreational facilities. Particularly, when safer alternatives exist and are readily available.

The Canadian Cancer Society is concerned about potentially cancer-causing substances to enhance the appearance of private lawns and gardens, parks, and recreational facilities. Particularly, when safer alternatives exist and are readily available.

When pesticides are used for cosmetic purposes, we believe we must reduce the risk to human health as there has been a possible link made between cosmetic pesticides and cancer.

Children and those with weakened immune systems may be more vulnerable to the risk of pesticide exposure. Household pets such as cats and dogs as well as other non domestic animals are also at an increased risk.

This call for a ban does not apply to agricultural pesticide use, as there is much a greater degree of misuse and lack of regulations when dealing with cosmetic pesticides.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the US National Toxicology Program some pesticides can contain cancer-causing substances.

In Red Deer we have employed the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system which is a way to reduce pesticide use. However, according to studies coming from Quebec, when a municipality has an IPM approach in place it was found that alternatives to pesticides are used only 0.5 per cent of the time.

Scientific evidence shows a link between pesticides and cancer. The amount of quality research on pesticides and cancer is growing.

Quite simply, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Please contact your local municipal representative to express your support for a ban on cosmetic pesticide use.

Jenna Millar

The Canadian Cancer Society