Keeping Toronto Healthy

1
Keeping Toronto Healthy
Municipal Pesticide Bylaws in Canada Their
Genesis and Effectiveness Rich Whate August 22,
2007
2
Background

• Pesticide Regulation in Canada
• National Health Canada Pest Mgmt Regulatory
  Agency
• Product approval, labeling, testing, trade issues
• Provincial (e.g. Ontario Ministry of the
  Environment)
• Sales marketing, commercial licences
• Municipal
• Use

3
(No Transcript)
4
Background
A brief history of pesticide bylaws
5
The Bylaw

• Toronto Pesticide Bylaw
• (Municipal Code 612)
• Came into effect April 1, 2004
• Restricts outdoor use of pesticides on all public
  and private property
• Some permitted uses (e.g. health hazard,
  infestation, disinfection) and exempted products

6
The Bylaw

• Public education
• Residents, lawn care landscaping companies,
  commercial properties
• Website, telephone helpline, written material,
  in-store information, advertising, community
  partnerships
• Partnership with professional sector
• Enforcement
• By Public Health Inspectors accredited in
  Integrated Pest Management / Plant Health Care
• Investigations triggered by complaints and
  proactive surveillance

7
Why Restrict Pesticides? Health effects

• Research suggests associations between pesticide
  exposure and reproductive effects, neurological
  effects and certain cancers.
• Pregnant women, infants, young children, seniors
  and those with lowered immune system functioning
  are at a higher risk for long term health
  effects.

8
Health effects (contd)

• Ontario College of Family Physicians (2004)
• Positive associations between pesticide exposure
  and solid tumours, including cancers of the
  brain, prostrate, kidney and pancreas
• Links to non-Hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia
• Strong associations with nervous system effects
• Work exposure among parents can result in
  increased health risk, including kidney and brain
  cancers, in their children
• Recommended reducing pesticide exposure by
• Passing municipal bylaws to restrict pesticide
  use
• Using alternative methods
• Proper use of personal protective equipment
• Education on safe handling of pesticides
• Physician screening for patients and data
  collection

9
Ecological effects

• Pesticides can be carried away from lawns and
  gardens into the air, soil, groundwater and
  surface waters.
• Pesticides can kill useful soil bacteria,
  earthworms, snails, frogs, birds, fish, honeybees
  and other valuable species.

10
Is Torontos Bylaw Working?

11
Interim Evaluation of Torontos Pesticide Bylaw
Fewer people report using pesticides in Toronto
Source RRFSS 2003-2005.
12
Interim Evaluation of Torontos Pesticide Bylaw
Reported use of natural alternatives is
increasing
Source RRFSS 2003-2005.
13
Interim Evaluation of Torontos Pesticide Bylaw
Comparison to another community
Source RRFSS 2003-2005.
14
Interim Evaluation of Torontos Pesticide Bylaw
The Public Continues to Rely on Lawn Care
Companies
Source Statistics Canada. Canadian Business
Patterns 2001-2006
15
Interim Evaluation of Torontos Pesticide Bylaw

• Bylaw Awareness is High
• About 70 of residents with a lawn know about
  the bylaw
• Bylaw Compliance is High.
• Complaints have decreased from year to year
• In 2006 there were no repeat offences no
  charges

16
Interim Evaluation of Torontos Pesticide Bylaw

• Conclusions of evaluation
• Early successes
• a downward trend in use of pesticides
• an increase in use of alternatives
• lawn care sector is complying with the bylaw
• More work is needed
• Target residents to achieve further reductions
  (25 still report using pesticides)

17
The future?

• The trend will continue and broaden
• Quebec Pesticide Code further restricted sales
• Health Canada consulting on changes to federal
  laws that would make provincial restrictions
  easier
• Norms changing
• Industry changing

18
Keeping Toronto Healthy
Rich Whate Environmental Protection
Office 416-338-8100 rwhate_at_toronto.ca