|
Canadian Cancer Society Welcomes Planned Assessment of Chemicals 14
September
2006
TORONTO -
Health Canada’s and Environment Canada’s planned assessment of thousands of chemicals in use in Canada that potentially pose a risk to human health or the environment is applauded by the Canadian Cancer Society. “We welcome this action and we urge the government to give a high priority to assessing substances that are known or believed to cause cancer,” says Heather Logan, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. Logan adds the Society is part of a team that submitted a brief to the committee conducting a review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Recommendations in the brief were aimed at strengthening legislation to protect Canadians from exposure to known and probable carcinogens. In particular, it recommended that these substances be given high priority for review and assessment. “We believe that Canadians should not be exposed to cancer-causing substances in the environment,” says Logan. “To achieve this requires commitment and action by many parties, including the Canadian Cancer Society, governments, regulatory bodies, businesses and individuals. It was heartening to see many groups come together on this important review and we hope this collaboration continues.” The Society encourages the government to continue to move quickly in its planned assessment of the chemicals, and to make information about the review and the overall process as accessible and transparent as possible. “Canada is the first country to have done this systematic review,” says Logan. “We have an excellent start and we must ensure the momentum continues,” says Logan. The list of chemicals will be reviewed by the Society to determine if appropriate known and probable carcinogens are included. “We have been involved with this process and look forward to continuing our involvement with this important issue,” says Logan. The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance 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. -30- For more information, please contact: Kerstin Ring Senior Manager, Communications Canadian Cancer Society, National office Phone:
(416) 934-5664
Alexa Giorgi Bilingual Communications Specialist Canadian Cancer Society, National office Phone:
(416) 934-5338
|