Wilderness Committee Calls for BC Government to Reduce Toxins
Monday, August 24, 2009
Vancouver, BC – The BC Legislature sits tomorrow for the first time since the May 12 provincial election, and the Wilderness Committee is hopeful that the Campbell government’s Throne Speech will include a ban on cosmetic pesticides.
"We are hoping for some good news in the throne speech related to toxins," said Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee. "A ban on cosmetic pesticides in the province would be a step in the right direction in terms of reducing our exposure to harmful cancer-causing chemicals."
More than 75% of British Columbians support legislation that would phase out the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private property, according to polling conducted last year. The Wilderness Committee has been working with Toxic Free Canada to achieve a BC ban through public outreach and education. Ontario recently banned the use of cosmetic pesticides, making it illegal to sell pesticides that are used for home lawn-care purposes.
"British Columbians overwhelmingly support steps to detoxify our province and this provides an opportunity to have a dialogue about what can be done," said West.
The Wilderness Committee has also been helping citizens oppose the building of waste incinerators in BC. Last week they helped organize a meeting in Christina Lake in the Kootenays, where a hazardous waste facility has been proposed. The meeting drew hundreds of residents, with 150 additional people watching the proceedings over a live video feed.
"In Christina Lake we found a community outraged about the dangerous facility proposed in their community. Many of them also signed our petition to ban cosmetic pesticides. They recognize that we already have too many toxins in our environment and want to see this changed. A ban on cosmetic pesticides would be a great place to start," said West.
“Toxins accumulate in our bodies and in the environment around us. The decisions we make today not only affect our health now, but have serious implications for our children both today and in years to come,” said West.
Many cosmetic pesticides available in BC contain ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens cancer-causing substances by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Some other ingredients are listed as reproductive toxins, endocrine-disrupting chemicals or neurotoxins. Children are most at risk from pesticide exposure because their smaller, developing bodies are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides.
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For more information please contact: Ben West, Wilderness Committee, Healthy Communities campaigner 604-710-5340
More than 75% of British Columbians support legislation that would phase out the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private property, according to polling conducted last year. The Wilderness Committee has been working with Toxic Free Canada to achieve a BC ban through public outreach and education. Ontario recently banned the use of cosmetic pesticides, making it illegal to sell pesticides that are used for home lawn-care purposes.
"British Columbians overwhelmingly support steps to detoxify our province and this provides an opportunity to have a dialogue about what can be done," said West.
The Wilderness Committee has also been helping citizens oppose the building of waste incinerators in BC. Last week they helped organize a meeting in Christina Lake in the Kootenays, where a hazardous waste facility has been proposed. The meeting drew hundreds of residents, with 150 additional people watching the proceedings over a live video feed.
"In Christina Lake we found a community outraged about the dangerous facility proposed in their community. Many of them also signed our petition to ban cosmetic pesticides. They recognize that we already have too many toxins in our environment and want to see this changed. A ban on cosmetic pesticides would be a great place to start," said West.
“Toxins accumulate in our bodies and in the environment around us. The decisions we make today not only affect our health now, but have serious implications for our children both today and in years to come,” said West.
Many cosmetic pesticides available in BC contain ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens cancer-causing substances by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Some other ingredients are listed as reproductive toxins, endocrine-disrupting chemicals or neurotoxins. Children are most at risk from pesticide exposure because their smaller, developing bodies are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides.
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For more information please contact: Ben West, Wilderness Committee, Healthy Communities campaigner 604-710-5340