Ontario Bans Lawn and Garden Pesticides
Canada has proven once again that it is way ahead of the rest of world with its progressive government. Ontario has banned the use and sale of lawn and garden pesticides for homeowners. Quebec instituted a similar ban on 20 some pesticide products back in 2006.
The new ban is set to take effect by spring of 2009. Home Depot has already agreed to stop selling the pesticides by the end of 2008! This is a huge victory for anti-toxic supporters all over the continent. If only someone in the United States government could take such affirmative action we could all be spared. Ontario will basically phase out some 80 different chemicals and over 300 products that contain them.
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Children will be able to play in the grass freely without ever being exposed to harmful chemicals which could lead to a variety of health problems later in life.
Of course the pesticide industry felt like the move was too drastic without relying on science to prove which pesticides were okay to use and which ones were not. However, the Premier of Ontario stated that no studies could ever determine the outcome of chronic exposure to various different products containing chemicals at once. It is simply the unknown reactions to multiple chemical exposures where the true risk is. Bravo Canada for adhering to the precautionary principal!
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11 COMMENTS, ADD YOURS HERE:
This is such good news...a good beginning at least. Lawn chemicals are one of my pet peeves since I learned that they are linked to cancer, especially in pets and children. I can't tell you how often I see someone spraying a property and only hours later I see children playing on the grass. It's mind blowing that people will so thoughtlessly spew toxic substances on their lawns. Stop doing it. Weeds are hardly that bad.
Wish other nations will follow suit! There are natural pesticides available from herbs and trees which are equally effective in controlling pests. Of course the ladybirds, snails and small birds do their bit too! In fact urban wildlife will benefit greatly by this ban.
Natural does not always mean safe. For instance, permethrins are derived from chrysanthomum (spelling?) plants. Natural, yes, toxic? - very.
One should stick with verifiable, reproducible data to ascertain environmental impact.
Reproducible data that can prove increased risks of cancer and other diseases?
Natural, plant based products are overwhelmingly safer than some of products used off the shelves of retail stores. Please spare me your anti natural beliefs.
Permethrin is not natural, it is a synthetic chemical. Pyrethrins are the organic compounds whose chemical structure the synthetic chemical Permethrin is based on. Neither the synthetic nor natural version is extremely dangerous but the synthetic version is absolutely proven to be more toxic than the natural version which completely contradicts your point. I think you should try to find another example. By the way, Pyrethrin, the natural compound, can be used on your cat for fleas but Permethrin can kill your cat and many cats die each year because of contact with it.
Hello Everybody,
I could not agree more with everybody ! I am the inventor of an organic-based fungicide that is currently wrapping up testing in Southeast Asia. It is harmless to the environment, but controls a broad-spectrum of fungi. We will have government clearance by January '09 and sales to begin by March 2009. If you'd like to know more, write me at pHix6@hotmail.com
I can't believe how naive everybody is. Do you not realize that all lawn care related pesticides like 2-4-d, dimension, super acclaim and so many others are the most tested products out there. They have been tested for decades, unlike products such as prozac, viagara, hpv vaccine. These products are pushed through to approval so it can get to market so the government can get their money.
This pesticide ban is also rediculous because it does not affect golf courses. I guess our selfish premier needs his golf course looking good at all times.
Last point I have is this ban will put thousands and thousands of people out of work who paid a lot of money to be trained and certified by the GOVERNMENT of ONTARIO. Why not put the ban on the average residents, not the people who know the products and how to use them.
The synthetic lawns are also suitable to be laid around swimming pools as they are not slippery and they exhibition; where you are organizing a party or any other social event these color artificial turf is very useful and make the surrounding attractive.
Artificial turf, now wont the earthworms and other creepy crawly insects be happy. As for the birds who feed on the lawn, they will simply be confused. As for the bacteria that builds up in artificial turf, well thats a matter for another day.
And as for the carbon dioxide recycling that lawns provide, I assume its not important.
Having a healthy lawn is not a bad thing, proper lawn maintenance is simple too. Pesticides only if necessary.
"Children will be able to play in the grass freely"...exacly...look in the picture and try to see some childrens play there..
LOL..stupid people.
The Department of Agriculture has some tips on plants that deter harmful insects, and there are a number of excellent books on the topic – many of which I’m sure are available at your local library. Here are some useful tips from the home and garden section of the Department of Agriculture website... http://personafile.com/PXh9
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