Write Wild - Its Time to Ban Cosmetic Pesticedes

The BC government is currently consulting the public on a possible ban of cosmetic pesticides. This is an important opportunity for our province to take a common-sense step to reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals. Cosmetic lawn and garden pesticides pose human health risks by increasing the chances of cancer, neurological illness and birth defects. Children are most vulnerable to these problems.

BC needs a ban on the use, sale and retail display of chemical pesticides for lawns, gardens and non-agricultural landscaping. This kind of a ban is popular with the public and reinforces bans already in place in 25 BC municipalities. Similar bans in Quebec and Ontario have had a significant impact on pesticide use in those provinces.

For our families, our future and our natural world, let the BC government know what you think about the need for a strong ban on cosmetic pesticides.

Your Name: *

Your Email Address: *

Some points to consider:

Pesticides are a human health risk: the Ontario College of Family Physicians found that exposure to pesticides increased risks of cancers, neurological illness and birth defects.
Children are at the greatest risk because they are closer to the ground and still developing.
There is broad popular support to ban cosmetic pesticides: three out of four British Columbians support restrictions on cosmetic pesticides and 25 BC municipalities have bylaws restricting their use.
There are alternatives: mowing high, topdressing and other lawn care techniques restore the ecological health of soils, and natural pesticide alternatives like corn gluten meal and nematodes are easily available.
A cosmetic pesticide ban needs to have strong enforcement measures and education for the public about the alternatives.

My Letter: *

Submitted by sven on Thu, 01/14/2010 - 04:00