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Read this response from Paule Hjertaas called  Mecoprop
Reality Check to the Dec 17th letter to the Editor by Donna
Ell (Municipal Pesticide Ban--Laudable Safety Measure) and the
January 7th, 2005 letter from Edward Sharkey (Proper Use of Mecoprop--Safe
for Humans) in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix.
See
the Resolution and sample letter put forth by concerned Saskatchewan
residents, complete with addresses and links to those who can
do something about it.
An Invitation to Support Pesticide Reduction
Dear
Concerned Citizen,
I am writing to seek your support on an issue which is very important
to the health of Saskatchewan children.
Saskatchewan uses 36 % of all pesticides used in Canada. Many
of these are used in crop production, while others are used for
cosmetic purposes, to control weeds in our lawns, keep gravel
areas vegetation free in school yards, and similar purposes.
Scientific evidence that exposure to pesticides affects our health
is mounting. Last April the Ontario College of Family Physicians
released a comprehensive pesticide review which shows “consistent
links to serious illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems
and neurological diseases, among others. ... an association exists
between pesticide exposure and leukemia.” The study also
shows that children are particularly vulnerable to insecticides
and herbicides used on lawns, fruit trees and gardens, and for
indoor control of insects and “uncovered a remarkable consistency
of findings of nervous system effects of pesticide exposures.”
According to the College, the implication of pesticides in the
development of leukemia “warrants further investigation and
also, political action.” This study is available at the College’s
website, www.ocfp.on.ca.
Children are especially vulnerable because they are smaller,
and rapidly growing. They are active in parks and playgrounds,
and often may be barefoot or wear shorts, allowing skin contact.
Children will absorb the pesticide through their skin. After application
of pesticides, residues are still on the vegetation and readily
absorbed for a number of days. Based on their review, the Ontario
College of Family Physicians has recommended that people take
steps to reduce their exposure, and that physicians advocate reduced
pesticide use.
The Government of Saskatchewan is developing a Strategy for a
Green and Prosperous Economy. We encourage Saskatchewan Environment
to include steps to reduce children’s exposure to pesticides
in the Green Strategy. These steps could include:
- a ban or restrictions on pesticide use in areas heavily used
by children including day-cares, school yards, sports fields
and playgrounds
- the publication of pamphlets and their distribution at medical
clinics encouraging parents to reduce their children’s
exposure to pesticides around home, and
- the establishment of an office of organic agriculture and
gardening.
When Saskatchewan Environment brings recommendations on the Strategy
for a Green and Prosperous Economy to the government before Christmas,
we ask that, using the precautionary principle, it provide for
a significant reduction in pesticide exposure to our children.
Yours Sincerely,
Paule Hjertaas
Resolution
on pesticides for 2004 fall
WHEREAS the Ontario College of Family Physicians, after a comprehensive
review of pesticide research, (1) found "consistent links
to serious illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems and
neurological diseases, among others", (2) found that children
are particularly vulnerable to pesticides, and (3) calls for political
action to reduce pesticide use*,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ……………………urges
the Saskatchewan Government to take steps to reduce children's
exposure to pesticides. This could include steps such as:
1. a province-wide ban or restrictions on the use of pesticides
in areas frequented by children such as school yards, daycares,
parks, playing fields, and in and around hospitals.
2. the publication of pamphlets and their distribution at medical
clinics encouraging parents to reduce their children's exposure
to pesticides at and around home,
3. the formation of an office of organic agriculture and gardening
to ensure the availability of information, products, and training
for those interested in making the transition to organics.
*This study is available at the College's website, www.ocfp.on.ca.
As a comment to be included in the Strategy for a Green and
Sustainable Economy.
Sample Letter
Dear Minister Forbes,
Scientific evidence that exposure to pesticides affects our
health is mounting. Last April the Ontario College of Family Physicians
released a comprehensive pesticide review which shows "consistent
links to serious illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems
and neurological diseases, among others. ... an association exists
between pesticide exposure and leukemia." The study also
shows that children are particularly vulnerable to insecticides
and herbicides used on lawns, fruit trees and gardens, and for
indoor control of insects and "uncovered a remarkable consistency
of findings of nervous system effects of pesticide exposures."
According to the College, the implication of pesticides in the
development of leukemia "warrants further investigation and
also, political action." This study is available at the College's
website, www.ocfp.on.ca.
Children are especially vulnerable because they are smaller,
and rapidly growing. They are active in parks and playgrounds,
and often may be barefoot or wear shorts, allowing skin contact.
Children will absorb the pesticide through their skin. After application
of pesticides, residues are still on the vegetation and readily
absorbed for a number of days. Based on their review, the Ontario
College of Family Physicians has recommended that people take
steps to reduce their exposure, and that physicians advocate reduced
pesticide use.
The Government of Saskatchewan is developing a Strategy for a
Green and Prosperous Economy. We encourage Saskatchewan Environment
to include steps to reduce children's exposure to pesticides in
the Green Strategy. These steps could include:
- a ban or restrictions on pesticide use in areas heavily used
by children including day-cares, school yards, sports fields
and playgrounds,
- the publication of pamphlets and their distribution at medical
clinics encouraging parents to reduce their children's exposure
to pesticides around home, and
- the establishment of an office of organic agriculture and
gardening.
When Saskatchewan Environment brings recommendations on the Strategy
for a Green and Prosperous Economy to the government before Christmas,
we ask that, using the precautionary principle, it provide for
a significant reduction in pesticide exposure to our children.
Yours sincerely
(Name)
(address)
(email)
TAKE ACTION: Please write to Saskatchewan Environment asking
that at least these steps to reduce pesticide exposure to children
be included in their Green strategy. Feel free to use the sample
letters and/or resolution in attachment. Send your letter or resolution
to:
Honourable David Forbes, Minister of Environment, dforbes@serm.gov.sk.ca
CC Ms Lily Stonehouse,
Deputy Minister, Saskatchewan Environment, 3211 Albert Street,
Regina, Sk. S4S 5W6. email: lstonehouse@serm.gov.sk.ca
CC Honourable Peter Prebble, Minister of Corrections and Public
Safety minister@cps.gov.sk.ca
CC Honourable John Nilson, Minister of Health and MLA for Regina
Lakeview Minister@health.gov.sk.ca
CC Honourable Mark Wartman, Minister of Agriculture and Foods,
mwartman@agr.gov.sk.ca
- copy to your MLA and your favorite Cabinet minister: All their
contact information can be found at http://www.gov.sk.ca/govinfo/la-cabinet/
- Bring this issue to the attention of as many groups and individuals
as you can in all fields of interest.
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