working together to reduce exposure to...

Working Together toReduce Exposure to Pesticides

City of Prince George

Presented by: Justin Sandhu, Dr. Marie Hay, and Kerensa Medhurst

Canadian Societe Cancer canadienne Society du cancer

Our Mission

The eradication eradication

of cancerof cancer and the

enhancement of enhancement of

the quality of lifethe quality of life

of people living

with cancer.


Evidence-Based Positions

Providing Canadians with important cancer information based on high-quality evidence is a cornerstone of the Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) work.

– Considerable evidence supports a link between between pesticides and cancer.

– The CCS continues to assess new research as it becomes available.


Pesticides- Cosmetic Use

Pesticides: substances or devices used to kill, suppress or repel target insects, weeds, fungi or other pests. This includes:

• Herbicides (weeds and plants)• Insecticides (insects)• Rodenticides (animals)• Fungicides (fungal)

“Pesticides are poisons, otherwise they wouldn’t wor k”.-Environment Canada


Pesticides- Cosmetic Use

Cosmetic Use:When pesticides are used to enhance the appearance of private lawns and gardens as well as parks and recreational facilities

•No benefit to human health


Pesticides & Cancer

Studies have found a 2-3 times increased risk of childhood leukemia associated with childhood or pre-natal exposure to household or garden pesticides.Source: Belson, M., Kingsley, B., and Holmes, A. (2007) Risk factors for acute leukemia in children: A review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115 (1)

“The adverse effects of pesticides on human and ecosystem health are undeniable. -Warren Bell, MD, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment


Distribution of sprayed pesticide :• 50-100% in soil• 0-30% in atmosphere• 1-10% on plant• 0-0.3% on target insect, disease, etc.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency - D. Pimentel

Pesticides & the EnvironmentCanadian Societe Cancer canadienne Society du cancer

Precautionary Principle

It’s better to be safe

than sorry.


We are not alone…Canadian Societe Cancer canadienne Society du cancer

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Community Action

Over 185 Canadian municipalities, including 36 in BC, have adopted pesticide bylaws

Over 23.8 million or 79.6% of Canadians are benefiting from enhanced protection from unwanted exposure to synthetic lawn and garden pesticides


Success Stories

"The bylaw is working very well, costs us very little to maintain and grass is still growing in Hudson"

-Michael Elliott, former Hudson, Que., mayor, November 22, 2002, The Ottawa Sun

"There is definitely a better way of maintaining lawns and yards than by soaking them with pesticides” –Mark Shmigelsky, former Invermere mayor, March 12, 2008, Invermere Valley Echo


Alternatives

• There are many alternatives to pesticides.


Pesticide Bylaws: Best Practices

• All ‘cides’

• All private and public lands

• No infestation clause

• No exceptions except public health

• Permitted, less-toxic pesticides are specified

• + an educational campaign


Pesticide Free

• On a complaint basis, as with other “nuisance”by-laws (i.e. noise, smoking)

• It can be easy !

• phased-in approach

• Educate and then restrict

• Complaint and then fine

EnforcementCanadian Cancer Society

Societe canadienne du cancer

Isn’t Education Enough?

“Only those communities that passed a by-law and supported it with education or made a community agreement were successful in reducing the use of pesticides by a high degree (51-90%). Education and outreach programs alone, while more popular than by-laws, are far less effective. We could find none that have achieved more than a low reduction (10-24%) in pesticide use to date.”From The Impact of By-Laws and Public Education Programs on Reducing the Cosmetic/Non-essential, Residential Use of Pesticides: A Best Practices Review Jointly prepared by the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention and Cullbridge Marketing and Communications


What will be the economic impact?

•Bylaws do not harm business

•The number and variety of alternative lawn and gardenproducts is growing

•Development of green economy

•Many businesses are voluntarily shifting away fromsynthetic pesticides

•The economic impact argument should not deter fromthe importance of safeguarding health


•It shows leadership, and is the right thing to do from a publichealth perspective

•It will raise the community’s profile as a place that cares aboutthe health of its citizens and theenvironment, and is a safe andhealthy place to raise children

•Fits with sustainability planning, water reduction priorities, and provides strong northern leadership.

Benefits to Prince George Canadian Societe Cancer canadienne Society du cancer

Let’s work together to make a difference

Thank you


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