Food and Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals that are designed to kill. Although applied to address a specific “pest” problem, pesticides are not smart chemicals. Once dispersed into the environment, pesticides can affect non-target plant, animal, and human health.
In a systematic review of scientific literature, the Ontario College of Family Physicians found “consistent links to serious illnesses, such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases” associated with long-term exposure to pesticides. Children are particularly vulnerable. 

A David Suzuki Foundation investigation of the incidence of acute pesticide poisonings in Canada found more than 6000 cases in one year. In nearly half of these cases, the victims were children under the age of six.

In addition to human health risks, pesticides also threaten pollinators, helpful insects essential to our food supply. Even small amounts of certain pesticides are known to affect bee longevity, memory, navigation and foraging abilities.

The David Suzuki Foundation recommends choosing local, organic produce, whenever possible, and doing away with the so-called cosmetic use of pesticides on lawns, gardens, and house plants.

Researchers have found that pesticides can be associated with serious illnesses, including cancer, damage to the immune system, and neurological problems. With safer alternatives available, this is a risk we can – and should – do without! That's why the David Suzuki Foundation is working to ban both the sale and use of so-called "cosmetic" pesticides.

• The Food We Eat: An International Comparison of Pesticide Regulations, authored by David R. Boyd, closely examines this issue, and provides eight recommendations for how Canada can close the wide gap between our regulations and those in the U.S., the E.U. and Australia.

• Northern Exposure: Acute Pesticide Poisonings in Canada presents information gathered from regional health authorities and poison control centres. More than 6000 Canadians suffer acute effects of pesticide poisoning each year.

• Pesticide Free? Oui! looks at Quebec's ban on lawn pesticides, and offers recommendations for banning cosmetic pesticides in other provinces.

• Learn more about how to grow healthy gardens, lawns and food.

• Don't Stop to Smell the Flowers! Where pesticides intersect with flowers and children.

• Read David Suzuki's Science Matters column about pesticide legislation in Canada.