Cancer society urges Alberta to ban pesticides

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Canadian Cancer Society has renewed its call for Alberta to ban the sale and use of pesticides, citing its recent poll showing 87 per cent of respondents who say they would support restricting the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private land.

Alberta is the only province without any type of pesticide restriction in place.

Currently more than 100 municipalities across Canada have some type of pesticide bylaw, and Quebec has imposed a province-wide ban.

Cancer society spokesperson Lorie Boychuk said Thursday that mounting research is showing these chemicals can be linked to certain types of cancers.

"We don't want to wait until the science is 100 per cent conclusive," said Boychuk. "There's enough evidence today there is a threat. The bottom line is they're non essential pesticides. They're being used to make things or keep things beautiful."

Boychuk said there are a number of healthier alternatives �?such as overseeding, aerating and fertilizing naturally �?all of which allow a healthy lawn to choke out unwanted weeds.

From:   [http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/05/23/pesticides.html]

INDEPTH: PESTICIDES   The pesticide debate  [http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/pesticides/index.html]

Pesticide ban has support: cancer society

HALIFAX, STEPHEN BRUN

Putting your lawns and gardens into pesticide rehab may not be the law yet, but it's best to start detoxing now, the Canadian Cancer Society says.

A recent poll commissioned by the society found 78 per cent of Nova Scotians surveyed are aware of the risks posed by cosmetic pesticide use, and 69 per cent would support a complete ban.

"We see that as very positive," said Meg McCallum, the society's director of programs for the province. "Over 136 municipalities (in Canada) have implemented pesticide by-laws. Certainly with 78 per cent of Nova Scotians understanding the risks, there's a lot of momentum right now."

The society surveyed 1,101 households around the Maritimes, including 400 in Nova Scotia. This province's opinions mirrored the survey's overall results.

Halifax's pesticide ban came into effect April 1, 2003, but HRM remains the only area in the province to enact any legislation.

"A union of Nova Scotia communities met in November, and they discussed a resolution that passed without a negative vote to alter government regulations on pesticides," McCallum said.

Laws can either be changed to let each municipality decide on their own pesticide regulations, or the provincial government could step in to issue a province-wide ban, McCallum added.

Prince Edward Island is holding public hearings to examine its own province-wide ban.

"We know, for instance, Wolfville has a bylaw that can be enacted. In the meantime, citizens don't have to wait. It's just simple things you can do instead of hooking your lawn on drugs."

Scientific evidence suggests a link between pesticides and leukemia, breast and kidney cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, McCallum said.

The society wants to educate the public about the threats the chemicals pose to adults, children and pets.

From:   [http://halifax.metronews.ca]