Londoners have been heard, says Canadian Cancer Society

June 12, 2006 (London) - The Canadian Cancer Society is very pleased that City Council has listened to the voices of concerned Londoners and passed a bylaw to ban the cosmetic or non-essential use of pesticides.

“There was clear direction from both health professionals and citizens in the community,” explains Laura Wall, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Southwestern Regional Director. “We believe City Council has made a significant commitment to protecting health in our community. London now joins the 113 other communities in Canada that will protect its citizens from this needless risk.”

A poll conducted in January by Oracle Poll Research found the majority of Londoners support a bylaw. It found 74 per cent support a phase-out on private residential property; 71 per cent of Londoners feel cosmetic pesticides are a health threat to children and pose a health threat to pets such as cats and dogs; and 74 per cent of Londoners believe pesticides are a threat to the environment, including wildlife, air quality, and ground water.

The Canadian Cancer Society is very concerned with the potential long-term effects associated with the ornamental or cosmetic use of pesticides. The International Agency for Research on Cancer states that some substances used in pesticides are classified as known, possible or probable carcinogens. In some cases while evidence linking pesticides and cancer is not scientifically definitive it is suggestive and growing. While most studies have focused on occupational exposures, some studies are suggesting that vulnerable populations, such as children and those with weak immune systems, may be the most at risk to pesticide exposure. The Canadian Cancer Society believes that if there is a threat to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken, even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.

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.

For more information contact:
Nathalie Noël, Canadian Cancer Society
(519) 432-1137 x 234