Sign the petition to ban cosmetic pesticides in British Columbia

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Sign the petition to ban cosmetic pesticides in British Columbia

This is taken from Western Wilderness Committee's newsletter:

An extensive body of medical literature has demonstrated that pesticides
pose a significant threat to human health. Pesticide exposure has been
linked to cancer, including childhood cancer, developmental defects and
behavioural disorders.

Many cosmetic pesticides (used solely to maintain the aesthetic qualities
of lawns and gardens) contain active ingredients that are classified as
possible human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer. Some other ingredients are listed as reproductive toxins,
endocrine-disrupting chemicals or neurotoxins. Children are most at risk
from pesticide exposure because their smaller, developing bodies are more
vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides.

Cosmetic pesticides are also known to have adverse environmental effects
on non-target wildlife species, such as aquatic animals, birds and fish.

Across the country, more than 125 municipalities have passed bylaws that
ban the use of cosmetic pesticides within their municipal boundaries. However,
only the provincial government has authority to control the sale of pesticides,
which has meant that retail stores have continued to sell pesticides that are
banned for use under the bylaws.

In Quebec and Ontario, consumers petitioned their provincial governments for
action and were successful in winning legislation that bans the sale and use
of certain cosmetic pesticides and restricts the sale of others.

Public opinion polls showed that 77 per cent of British Columbians support
legislation that would phase out the use of cosmetic pesticides. There are many
alternatives to the use of cosmetic pesticides, including mechanical
weed control
and non-toxic products that can be used to control insects and weed growth.
Organic gardening advice and services are also readily available.

For more information please contact Claudia Ferris at Toxic Free Canada
(toxicfreecanda.ca), the new voice of the Labour Environmental
Alliance Society (LEAS), 604-669-1921.

Please sign (and share) Toxic Free Canada’s new Cosmetic Pesticide
Petition at toxicfreecanada.ca/petition.asp?uid=2