Banning of weed and feed pesticides in Alberta

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Quebec and Ontario have already banned the cosmetic use of pesticides. Is Alberta next? Is B.C. next? Good things do happen.

PRESS RELEASE:

CALGARY, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT
Division, is applauding the Alberta government's ban on commonly used
herbicide-fertilizer pesticide products announced today.
This action will ban the sale and use of such cosmetic pesticide
products, which are typically applied to lawns. The use of cosmetic pesticides
has no countervailing health benefits, is harmful to the environment, and is
potentially dangerous to human health.
"The Canadian Cancer Society believes that the Alberta government has
taken the appropriate first step to limit the risk to human health and the
environment through this initiative," says Angeline Webb, Cancer Control
Analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society. "This is especially true when the
reason for using pesticides on lawns is to prevent weeds that can be removed
in other potentially less damaging ways."
A broad range of cancers - among them leukemia, lung cancer, brain
cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer - are linked to
pesticide exposure and the evidence is suggestive and growing. Other diseases
like Parkinson's, respiratory illnesses, and some learning disorders are also
considered to have a link. Children may be at the greatest risk of such
exposure because they often crawl and play on grass.
Albertans have shown support for restrictions on cosmetic pesticides, as
demonstrated by a public opinion poll commissioned by the Canadian Cancer
Society in May 2008. An average of 87% of Albertans polled said they support
laws restricting the use of cosmetic pesticides used for strictly aesthetic
purposes.
Alberta joins Ontario and Quebec, in addition to more than 100
municipalities across Canada, which have already enacted similar restrictions.
The Canadian Cancer Society supports the Alberta government in this
important initiative and encourages further restrictions to include all
cosmetic pesticides and their use on both private and public lands.
"A ban on the sale and use of this type of cosmetic pesticides in our
province is a necessary step to reduce harm, especially to children," says
Webb. "Albertans will now know that their children are safer playing outdoors
and that the environment is being further protected through this ban."