Science and common sense: say "no" to cosmetic pesticides.

Roger Gordon & Maureen Kerr

CANADIAN LEGISLATION BY PROVINCE

• Nfld., N.S., Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec have comprehensive bans.

• B.C. & Sask. No bans. Ongoing debate.

• Alta: Only “Weed & Feed”

• PEI & NB: Only 2 4 D !!

THE 2010 FIASCO

• 173 presentations to Standing Cttee on Agriculture, Forestry & Environment.

• Overwhelming majority called for a ban; pesticide lobby (CropLife, Syngenta) opposed.

• Fear from industrialized farming that it would be a slippery slope

• It’s about the “bottom line” of a powerful industry.

Help is out there!

• East Coast Environmental Law Association• Canadian Physicians for the Environment• Medical Soc of PEI• PEI Cancer Soc.• Sierra Club• David Suzuki Foundation• Environmental Co-ops

Industry Lobby

• INSERT CROP LIFE’S WEB PAGE HERE!!

TWO TYPES OF COSMETIC PESTICIDES

Herbicides Insecticides

THE THREE AMIGOS

INSECTICIDES

• Carbaryl (Sevin)

HERBICIDES

• Mecoprop

• MCPA

• (Also Dicamba)

ALL HAVE ACUTE EFFECTS

• Toxic to nervous & respiratory systems• Burn skin & eyes• Nausea, dizziness, headaches• Diarrhea, convulsions, blurred vision• Impair coordination

AND LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Impair blood clotting• Impair immune system• Genetic damage• Impair reproduction• Linked to Non Hodgkins Lymphoma & other

cancers

META ANALYSES1992-03. 104 studiesNHL +ve:• 10/12 field studies• 12/14 case studies

Leukemia +ve• 3/6 field studies • 8/8 case studies • Childhood leukemia in ALL studies • 11/11 brain; 6/6 kidney;8/8

prostate cancer, etc.Can Fam Phys 2007, 53:1704-11

2003-12. 142 studies

• 8/10 studies: -ve fetal growth outcomes

• >13/20 studies: birth defects• Reduced IQ, increased autism &

ADHD rates in older children• 9/12 studies +ve correlation with

asthma

OCFP 2012 Pesticide Review

META ANALYSIS - household & cosmetic pesticides only

• 15 epidemiologic studies• Positive correlation between exposure to

pesticides during pregnancy or post partum & childhood leukemia.

• O.R. 1.5 - 2.0Turner, M.C. et al. 2010. Env. Health Perspect.118: 33-41.

AND BY THE WAY• Children are more sensitive to pesticides than

adults.

• Inert ingredients in commercial formulations amplify the pesticides’ potencies

BUT THEY MUST BE SAFE BECAUSE HEALTH CANADA SAYS SO??

• Well, how about:• Lead arsenate• DDT• Fenitrothion• Lindane• 2,4,5-T• Dieldrin• Aldrin• Etc etc.

THE ROAD AHEAD

• Lobby the province to amend its legislation. State what IS allowed, not what is NOT.

• Persuade the municipalities to amend the Municipalities Act .

BRING IN THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

BAN COSMETIC PESTICES ON PEI

AN OPEN FORUM ON COSMETIC PESTICIDES

RODD CHARLOTTETOWN. THURS. MAY 29, 7 P.M.