For too long, the City of Prince George has been putting the health of its citizens at risk. There is considerable scientific evidence that warrants a precautionary approach to pesticide use. The evidence links pesticide exposure to asthma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, brain cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, Parkinson's disease, and leukemia. Prince George's children are at a higher risk due their rapidly developing bodies.
Cosmetic pesticides are used to improve the appearance of lawns and gardens by controlling unwanted weeds and plants but can contain toxic chemicals that are cancer-causing. This cosmetic use is non-essential.
To date, more than 130 Canadian municipalities have restricted the use of cosmetic pesticides with bylaws. In 2011, the City of Prince George should seize the opportunity to demonstrate municipal leadership, ultimately creating a sense of civic pride.
We need to implement bylaws in our City that will eliminate these harmful agents from our lawns, gardens, sports fields, playgrounds, and recreation areas. It will help prevent cancer in our families and promote a sustainable environment at the same time.
Also, there are a number of viable non-toxic alternatives that exist.
Personally, I have had a family member die after an intense battle with leukemia and another that is in recent remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- both residents of Prince George for nearly 30 years.
Promoting public awareness and petitioning for a strong legislation in Prince George to ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides is very important to me.
Protect yourself and those you love. The Canadian Cancer Society has published a list of ingredients common in pesticides at www.cancer.ca.bc. Please avoid products that have harmful chemical ingredients.
Current and future citizens of Prince George deserve to live in a community that is safe and non-hazardous -- not in a community where their health is at risk.
Join the fight from the exposures of cosmetic pesticides by writing letters to the editor. Together, we can start changing how we live and make cancer history.
Justin Sandhu
Prince George
