TORONTO, March 4 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society is pleased with
regulations passed by the Ontario government today to support provincial
legislation banning the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides.
"We congratulate the Ontario government for passing regulations that will
provide all Ontarians with strong protection from the health risks associated
with the use of cosmetic pesticides," says Peter Goodhand, CEO, Ontario
Division, Canadian Cancer Society. "This is a significant success in our
efforts to further our mission to eradicate cancer."
As of April 22, all Ontarians, particularly children who are more
vulnerable than adults to exposure to pesticides, will be protected by the
strongest cosmetic pesticide legislation in North America, the Cosmetic
Pesticide Ban Act.
"We also congratulate our volunteers and staff who have worked hard with
municipal and provincial governments and community partners across Ontario
since 2002 to protect communities from exposure to cosmetic pesticides," he
said.
"We're particularly pleased the new legislation bans both the sale and
use of cosmetic pesticides," added Goodhand.
Background:
A 2007 Oracle Poll of 1,000 Ontario residents showed 71% of Ontarians
support province-wide restrictions on pesticides.
Exposure to cosmetic pesticides may increase the risk of developing
cancer. Most of the research to date, which has focused on occupational
exposure, has linked exposure to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, prostate
cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer and lung cancer. There is also evidence
that children may be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of these
chemicals.
The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) has concluded that some substances used in pesticides are known,
probable or possible carcinogens. The U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP)
has classified a number of active ingredients in pesticides as "reasonably
anticipated to be a human carcinogen".
Studies show that children may be more vulnerable to pesticide exposure
than adults because of their rapidly growing and developing bodies, as well as
the unique ways they may be exposed, including:- crawling and playing in grass or gardens that have been treated with
pesticides
- greater amounts may be absorbed directly through the skin, inhaled,
and ingested from placing their hands in their mouths
- children can also be exposed to pesticides through their parentsThe Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of
volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the improvement of
the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more
about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual
Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.
For further information: Christine Koserski, Ontario Provincial Office,
Canadian Cancer Society: (416) 323-7030, ckoserski @ontario.cancer.ca
