Cosmetic Pesticide Use Risked in Ontario

ONTARIO, Canada - A recent study linking exposure to pesticides with serious illnesses should be enough reason to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides, according to Susan Koswan, an advocate of a bylaw that would ban pesticide use in the Waterloo Region.

She was commenting on a comprehensive review of pesticide research released by the Ontario College of Family Physicians. The review showed consistent links with cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases and recommended people reduce exposure to pesticides where possible.

The strong stand taken by the college is the best thing that has happened since the Supreme Court ruled that municipalities have the right to restrict pesticide use, Koswan said.

"We've been saying all along that it is a health concern and the doctors are saying that we are right to be concerned," she said.

The study is "bad news," she said, "and the only good that could come out of it is some action.

"The excuses that have been given (in the past) is that the municipalities don't have the legal authority to pass a bylaw and that they don't believe there is a health threat. Now they have both and there is no reason not to act."

Dr. Liana Nolan, Waterloo Region's medical officer of health, agreed unnecessary or cosmetic pesticide should be reduced. "Because pesticides have health effects, we think it is prudent and important to reduce that as much as possible."

But Nolan said the region is committed to building community and political consensus for whatever action is eventually taken.

"We are trying to work through a political process that raises community awareness, education about alternatives to pesticides," she said.

"I think the frustration is that we are not moving as fast as Susan would like, but we are certainly moving on the issue."

Nolan said it is important to build community support for a bylaw before implementing one. She said that is being done by providing reports to regional council, conducting surveys and holding forums.

Nolan said she expects a major educational campaign to get underway in the region this year.

"For me, the important thing is to reduce the use of pesticides," she said. adding it can be done by pressing lawn-care companies to offer alternatives to chemicals and by helping individuals understand there are other methods available.

"At the end of the day whether we have a bylaw will be a political decision, but it is very much possible."

But Koswan said the health department can and should act when there is a health risk.

"There is no reason to wait for more children with asthma, more non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia."

She said people in the region expect a bylaw and want it applied fairly, so a situation doesn't arise where some are allowed to spray and others aren't. "The region should be acting quickly on this and it isn't. We need to be able to trust our government and public health officials to protect our health."

Since the report was released, a lot of people who ordinarily don't talk about pesticides are talking now, she said.