Each year millions of tons of pesticides are used around the world. In fact, an estimated US$55 billion is spent on the global pesticide market annually. Six major players — Syngenta, BASF, Bayer, Dow, Du Pont and Monsanto — control the majority of the toxic chemical market. Although global figures are hard to come by, industry reports suggest an estimated 1.5 - 2.5 million tons of pesticides are used annually. Green Communities Canada writes that hectare for hectare, urban lawns and greenspaces are sprayed more intensively than most farms. Even with a growing backlash against deadly pesticides, the amount used globally continues to increase each year.
Deadly Poisons
Many individuals are unaware that pesticides, freely available and so commonly used, are in fact deadly poisons. Pesticides (herbicides and insecticides) are used on crops, ornamentals (lawns and gardens), for forestry, pest control (cockroaches and dryrot), and to treat timber.
Despite pesticides continuing to be so widely used, numerous studies demonstrate pesticides pose serious risks for human health. The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is very concerned about pesticide usage; citing that pesticides have been linked to neurological damage in humans, cancer (including leukemia in children), reproductive abnormalities, and of particular concern to CAPE is the effect of pesticides on the health of children.
Numerous other serious health conditions and diseases are directly linked to pesticides including autism, birth defects, brain damage, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, miscarriages, male infertility, Parkinson’s Disease, and even ADHD. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified over 45 pesticides as potential or known carcinogens, reports Cancer 101 Solutions to a Preventable Epidemic. Even though the adverse heath affects associated with pesticides are regularly documented and reported, these deadly substances continue to be used virtually unchecked.
It is estimated only 0.01-5% of pesticides used actually reach their original targets.
Environmental Effects
Pesticide is never contained within the original location where it is used. Once applied, the toxic chemicals seep into the ground; rain and water run off further spread pesticide contamination across large distances. It is estimated only 0.01-5% of pesticides used actually reach their original targets. Pesticide residues are now found in every body of water on earth and in almost all animal species and human populations (including in the breast milk of women) throughout the world.
Communities Against Pesticide
Around the globe, a grassroots’ movement is growing to ban deadly pesticide use. Many organizations and citizen groups are lobbying their local and national governments to regulate the cosmetic application of pesticides. The right to forbid pesticide use in communities has resulted in Supreme Court cases in both Canada and America. Unfortunately, there continues to be no uniform laws regulating pesticide use in North America and decisions regarding pesticide use are at the discretion of local or state governments.
Resources
Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) challenges the global proliferation of pesticides, defends basic rights to health and environmental quality, and works to ensure the transition to a viable pesticide-free society: http://www.panna.org/
For detailed information on all forms of pesticides visit Pesticide Action Network North America’s comprehensive database: http://www.pesticideinfo.org
Sierra Club Canada works to raise awareness about the negative health effects of pesticide use and educate the public on natural alternatives: http://www.sierraclub.ca/
Greener Communities Canada runs the Pesticide Free Naturally program to help communities become pesticide free: http://www.gca.ca/
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment raises awareness about the health effects of pesticide use: http://www.cape.ca/
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