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New study finds Canadians may be ingesting more toxins than other nations
VANCOUVER – Canadians may find their Thanksgiving dinners contain some unwanted ingredients, according to the author of a new report by the David Suzuki Foundation.
“Turkey, cranberries, potatoes, brussel sprouts and pumpkin pie can contain residues of pesticides banned in other countries but still used in Canada, including 2,4-D, carbaryl, endosulfan, and permethrin,” says environmental lawyer David Boyd. “To make matters worse, Canada allows pesticide residues on these Thanksgiving foods at levels that are 10 to 400 times higher than allowed in European nations.”
The report The Food We Eat compares three areas of government activity related to pesticide use: registering pesticides for specific uses; setting maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides on food; and monitoring the food supply for pesticide residues. The report provides conclusive evidence that Canadian regulations governing the use of pesticides and the potential impact of pesticides on food and health are among the weakest in the industrialized world.
At least 60 active ingredients, used in 1,130 pesticide products available in Canada, have been banned in other western industrialized nations. Among these pesticides are some of the most heavily used agricultural and household pesticide products in Canada, such as atrazine and 2,4-D.
The health concerns associated with chronic exposure to pesticides include increased risk of cancer, organ damage, birth defects, and neurological impairments such as Parkinson’s disease. Two recent Canadian studies found numerous pesticides in the blood and urine of Canadians from across the country.
“Canada is light years behind other industrialized nations when it comes to pesticide regulation,” says Mr. Boyd. “By implementing and enforcing higher standards, the federal government could improve the health and well-being of Canadians and our environment.”
The report makes several recommendations including: the termination of pesticide product registrations where the active ingredient has been banned in other industrialized nations; a review of all maximum residue limits for pesticides on food; and a ban on the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes.
“A strong majority of Canadians support improved regulations to address environmental problems,” says Ann Rowan, sustainability program director at the David Suzuki Foundation. “Actions to reduce the use of most hazardous pesticides will diminish the risks to human health and nature. That's something we would all be thankful for.”
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The full report, The Food We Eat: An International Comparison of Pesticide Regulations can be found online at: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Publications/Forever_farmland.asp
For more information contact:
Jason Curran
Communications Specialist, David Suzuki Foundation
Office: (604) 732-4228 Cell: (604) 961-9591
jcurran@davidsuzuki.org