HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1998-05-20, Page 15IOekilOw Sentinel, 'Wetipestiay, ,Malt 4(1, *998 )Page 15 -
Herbicide and pesticide exposure can
increase the risk =of some deadly diseases
by Jim Hollingworth, M.A.---
How many parents realize that the herbicides and
pesticides used in lawn and garden care arp literally
killing`their children?A recent publication by the
Environtnental Health Committee (MC) of the Ontario
,College of Family Physicians Warns of such dangersto
human health.•
The EI -IC have searched the medical and scientific
literature and: found thatthere is an increased risk of
leukemia, brain cancer and soft tissue sarcomas in chip
dren who have been exposed to herbicides and pesti-
cides.As we all know, leukemia, brain cancer and sar-
coma often prove to be deadly diseases. Adults do not
escape the health effects of exposure to pesticides.
However, studies show that adults appear to' be less sen-
sittve and more resistant to the dangers of pesticides
than do infants and. children,
In the U,S.A., the National Research Council and
Academy .of Science was commissioned to study pesti-
cides in the diets of infants and children. They came to
the following,conclusions:
• The amounts and variety of pesticides now used are
far greater than in'any other time in history.
• Infants and children are more likely than adults to suf-
fer
uffer the toxic effects of exposure to pesticides as a result
of different Metabolic rates, a greaterabsorptive area,
diets more concentrated in .certain' foods high in pesti-
plant that has not made the accepted. ,Iyst. When asked if
Why do families continue to maks killing sue h weeds was worth c.ansing fatal diseases in
their lawns and gardens a health has children, I Invite you to fashion your own reply
hazard to children, themselves,
their pets and wildlife?
Bide residues and a relatively immature immune systern-
• Statutory government -controlled guidelines for the
safetyof the use of pesticides often, use laboratory aind
scientific data which does not necessarily represent the
dangers to human health.
• Current regulatory systems only iQ,ok at the average
exposure of the entire population. As a consequence,
variations in exposure to pesticides %elated to .age, geo-
graphic location and ethnic behavioral differences are
not addressed.
So, why do many families continue to make their
lawns and gardens a health hazard to their children;
themselves, their pets and wildlife? Why do municipali-
ties and school boardscontinue to spray public grounds
and playing fields where little children play and frolic?
Bow would an earthling explain the use of such
agents to an extraterrestrial intelligent being? The earth-
iing'would have to admit that he sprayed to control
weeds. When asked by the extratetrestrial to define a •
weed; `the earthling would have to reply that a weed is a
Many individuals and some wise and concerned
municipalities such as Cote St. Luc, Quebec, have
ceased to use such agents in order to protect the health
of their families, their pets and the wildlife for Whom
their yard is also home. It is increasingly apparent • that,
for communities to obtain a greaterlevel of health and
well being, political leadership of the type offered in
Cote St. Luc is mandatory.
, .Institutions, organizations and governments have
been progressive and assertive in protecting individuals
from the risks of second-hand smoke. Now is the time.
to make,our private and public lands a safer place for all
by banning the unnecessary urban use of pesticides. We
should always remember the words of Chief Seattle;
"Whatever we do unto the web of life, we do unto our-
selves."
urselves."
Furtherinformation on this issue may be obtained by
sending a stamped, addressed envelope to the Goderich
Medical Center, 181 Cambria Rd., North, Goderich,`
Ontario, N7A 2R2.
(rite Hollingworth, M.D., is a practicing family
physician in Goderich and a founding member of the
Canadian Association of- Physicians for the
Environment.)
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