Canadian Cancer Society congratulates Ontario government for passing strong regulations supporting the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Act

04  March  2009
TORONTO -

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 parents

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Christine Koserski

Sr. Coordinator, Media Relations

Ontario Division

Phone:  (416) 488-5402 x2305