Press Release: Pesticide
residues found in Toronto rivers
TORONTO
- Responding to a study released by the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment showing contaminated water in the Don and Humber Rivers
in Toronto, Pesticide Free Ontario, a coalition of environmental
groups, is calling on municipalities to speed through passage
of by-laws to restrict the use of lawn and garden pesticides.
Twenty Ontario
municipalities are presently considering by-laws to restrict the
unnecessary use of pesticides. Many of the products used on lawns
and gardens contain the same pesticides found in water samples
taken from the Toronto rivers.
Diazinon,
2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba, pesticides commonly used on lawns by
lawn care companies and homeowners were found in the water samples
collected by Environment Canada. MCPP was most frequently detected
(in 30% of the samples), followed by diazinon (29%) and 2,4-D
(6.6%). The Ontario Water Quality Objective for the Protection
of Aquatic Life for diazinon was exceeded in 20% of the samples.
Diazinon is used to control insects on lawns and is a known neurotoxin.
Dicamba,
MCPP and 2,4-D are herbicides usually used in combination to control
weeds. Studies have linked exposure to these chemicals to non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma and birth defects.
"We
urge municipal councillors throughout the province to quickly
pass pesticide by-laws," said Janet May, spokesperson for
Pesticide Free Ontario. "Only a by-law will protect our drinking
water and the health of our children.
Municipal
councillors in communities considering by-laws are under heavy
pressure from the pesticide industry to opt for voluntary measures
instead.
"The
health of our children should not be put at risk with voluntary
measures that simply don't work," said May. "We urge
everyone who cares about human health and drinking water quality
to contact their municipal councillors in support of a by-law."
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