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Pesticide Free Yards signs are now available at Clean Calgary's EcoStore!!!
Clean Calgary Association EcoStore
809 - 4th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 0K5
Telephone (403) 230-1443, extension 222
Fax (403) 230-1458
MAP
Join The Growing Movement - Pesticide Free Yards
There is a vibrant grassroots movement sweeping the
country. This proactive movement promotes
eliminating the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes.
 | Why, you might ask, would such a movement be
attracting the attention of millions of people,
including the Quebec Ministry of the Environment, who
has vowed to stop the use of these noxious chemicals
on public lands, residential and commercial properties
within 3 years?
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| Why would the city of Halifax initiate a by-law to
stop the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes,
which incidentally, does allow the use of pesticides
for infestations, with a permit?
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| Why are more than 50 municipalities across the
country either enforcing an existing by-law or
considering implementing one? |
Throughout history, as we gain more knowledge, change
happens. We learn, and we gain better ways of
measuring things as technology advances. People
often resist change, we don't like it. In fact, in
order for people to change their behaviour, they must know
first know "why" the change is needed. And
then they must be given the tools to make the necessary
changes, the "how."
Why is this movement so rapidly gaining strength
and numbers?
Pesticide use has proliferated since The Second World
War. There is a correlation between this use and the
rise in incidences of cancer. But treatment of
cancer has also improved, so we see the actual death rate
dropping, but incidence has risen dramatically, as anyone
who has had this disease touch his or her life knows.
There is much we don't know about pesticides. But
we do know enough to raise a red flag. Using
pesticides is like playing Russian roulette with your
children's health, your pets' health, and with your own
health.
Here are just a few of the many concerns:
| Pregnant women, fetuses, infants, and children are
much more vulnerable to the negative effects of
pesticides. During key stages of development
children are especially at risk.
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| Pesticides are always sold in combination and yet
are tested in isolation. Tests are based
the tolerance of a healthy adult male's body.
Synergistic effects are largely unknown, although
preliminary studies indicate that effects can be
greatly exacerbated when combined, so what was deemed
a low risk level in isolation, actually may not be in
combination.
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| The harmful effects of pesticides on the endocrine
system (the immune system, hormones and nervous
system) are just beginning to be understood and that
there is growing evidence of detrimental effects.
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| Studies have linked pesticide exposure to
neurological damage, cancer, and reproductive
abnormalities.
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| Our most valuable resource, clean water, is being
polluted by pesticides. They are routinely found
in groundwater in many areas. Generally,
they make their way into waterways through
runoff from lawn applications. |
A growing number of physicians and physicians' groups
are warning people of the dangers of cosmetic pesticide
use, among them the Ontario College of Family Physicians,
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment,
and The Greater Boston Physicians for Social
Responsibility. Yet many people receive assurances
from the very companies who sell these products.
This is like getting your information about smoking from
the Marlborough Man rather than from a physician.
Did you know?
| An Ontario polling firm, Oracle (with
funding by the Calgary Foundation), conducted a random
telephone survey of Calgarians in March of 2006. They
found that 83% of all Calgarians supported a phase out
of pesticides on both public and private lands in
Calgary.
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| This supports a massive reduction in
pesticide use. Contact your alderman to let them
know you are one of those that supports this. |
see the Pesticide
Free Yards Organization. |
