Two-Thirds of Albertans believe lawn and garden pesticides threaten their children and pets
Oct 12th, 2016 6:51 AM
October 11, 2016 - A new opinion poll reveals that 62% of Albertans would support a provincial law that phases out the use and sale of toxic pesticides for lawns and gardens.
“This is good news for health advocates, provincial politicians and the environment as it shows voter appetite to change provincial laws that can significantly reduce the levels of pesticides in our own backyards” observed
Kim Perrotta MHSc, Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE).
“The poll found that 66% of Albertans believe that lawn and garden pesticides, often called cosmetic pesticides, pose a threat to the health of children” offered
Robin McLeod with the
Coalition for a Healthy Calgary. “This is indicative of a high level of awareness about the health hazards posed by pesticides, particularly for children.”
“Restricting ‘cosmetic’ pesticides is low-hanging fruit to protect public health," stated
Meg Sears PhD, Chair of Prevent Cancer Now. "Pesticides on lawns and gardens, drifting on breezes and tracked indoors, can be a substantial source of exposure for young children and pets, even for non-using households. These pesticides have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and deficits in child development. Early exposure can change a child's destiny."
“The poll also found that many Albertans (nearly 7 out of 10) believe that pesticides present a health risk to their pets” said
Sheryl McCumsey with
Pesticide Free Edmonton. “Again this perception aligns with the scientific literature that reports increased rates of cancer among pets exposed to lawn and garden pesticides”.
“Albertans may be startled to know that we are one of the last three Canadian provinces with no provincial law banning the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides” stated
CAPE member, Dr. Raquel Feroe. She concluded, “This new poll tells the current Notley government, which appears to understand the important links between human health, the environment and the economy, that they would have strong and positive support from residents to act on this issue.”
To schedule interviews or for more information, contact:
Kim Perrotta, CAPE Executive Director, Toronto: 905-628-9437
Dr. Raquel Feroe, CAPE member, Edmonton: 780-914-9995
Robin McLeod, Coalition for a Healthy Calgary: 403-703-0018
Meg Sears, Prevent Cancer Now, Ottawa: 613-297-6042
Sheryl McCumsey, Pesticide Free Edmonton, Edmonton: 780-490-0772
"Would you support or oppose a law that phases out the use and sale of all but the safest pesticides for lawns and gardens in Alberta? The law would not apply to mosquito control, agriculture or forestry."
The OraclePoll Research survey interviewed 1000 Albertans (results are considered accurate 19 times out of 20) in late August.
