"We are conducting a vast toxicological experiment in which our children and our children's children are the experimental subjects." Dr. Herbert Needleman
Dr. Herbert Needleman belatedly received the Heinz Award in the Environment for his extraordinary contributions to the understanding and prevention of childhood lead poisoning. This award was given years after Dr. Needleman's reputation and research were attacked by the lead industry. The threatened lead industry hired public relations firms and scientific consultants to denounce Dr. Needleman's work. I use this classic example to awaken us to how industry seeks to shape science and hijack the truth.
This is why as individuals, it is our lifework to seriously oppose the upside-down values of our world today through taking action every way we can. One way is opposing the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.
Our Lifework: Opposing Cosmetic Pesticides
Every Monday and Thursday my husband and enjoy a morning walk to our local farmer's market where we appreciate buying local, organic produce. Our enjoyment was cut short one day this fall seeing several red, stop-sign, shaped signs driven into the grass on Alexis Park School property.
Upon further investigation we were shocked to discover grim, skull and cross-bones upon the signs warning us to stay off the lawns. The lawns had been sprayed with 2-4D, Mecoprop, and Dicamba (common cocktails used in Killex, Par III weed control for lawns). These 'stop' signs, with their specters of death warning us of the poison while children played upon the nearby playground were testimony to a world and community with upside-down values. Cosmetic pesticides before children.
Erroneously, my husband and I thought 2-4D had been banned - as years ago we had heard of its toxicity. The Sierra Club has extensive research on the toxicity of 2-4D since the late '80's. To quote them "Despite industry efforts claiming the safety of this chemical, there is a large body of evidence indicating major health effects, from cancer to immunosuppression, reproductive damage to neurotoxicity. Environmental contamination, particularly in wetlands has also been demonstrated, in direction infringement of the Fisheries Act R.S., c. F-14, s. 36."
Cancer Society Opposes Cosmetic Pesticides
In a media release on the cancer.ca website, Dr. Barb Whylie, Director of Cancer Control Policy, of the Canadian Cancer Society says "the Cancer Society fully supports a ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides for ornamental purposes, stating there are better options for weed control." The cancer society wants this stuff banned yet we are saying it's OK to spray it on playgrounds? What is wrong with this picture?
Both Ontario and Quebec have province wide bans on cosmetic pesticide sale and use. The Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa (CHO) says, "Pesticides are among the most widely used chemicals in the world, and also among the most dangerous to human health. They are a leading cause of poisonings here in Canada and have been estimated to account for thousands of deaths each year globally. Pesticides can also cause chronic health effects due to both acute poisonings and from chronic long-term exposure." To read the scientific abstracts for further proof go to the Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa.
Personally, I would rather my child roll in weeds than pesticides. Not to mention how these toxins break down and enter our soil, lakes and bodies.
You Can Make a Difference: Will You?
When did our values become so upside-down we said "O.K." to lawn beautification at the cost of toxins burdening our environment, our bodies and that of our children? You can make a difference by refusing to support this toxic trade in your yard. There are many Lawn and Garden Tips like, "Find out about organic lawn care for the cheap and lazy," at the Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa site mentioned above.
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. ~ Albert Einstein
Through researching cosmetic pesticides I discovered I am not alone in my city. This is a hot topic in Vernon, B.C. Canada with many people working hard toward change. The city is proposing to eliminate cosmetic pesticides on public land in 2010 and on private property in 2012... My concern is the word "proposing" and the belated time line.
Our cities' need your input. Write a letter to the Editor and to your City Council telling them you want to see the end of cosmetic pesticide sales and use upon public and private properties NOW rather than two years later. Personally, I would like to see our entire valley/world turned into an organic farming belt.
In the Bill Moyer NOW PBS documentary, "Are we Poisoning Our Children," Dr. Steingraber said, "our children have home and garden pesticides in their urine...(and)...that children serve as canaries in a coal mine."
Are we willing to allow our children, and children's children to be the canaries in the coal mine?
No comments:
Post a Comment