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SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY 19

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N L residents say no topesticidesA look into NLs call for the banning of cosmetics pesticides

MAzuE KINGTHE MUSE

f n April 20i0, tt e iityof SiJffifithsked itsIresidents to refrain from using cosmetic

pesticides. The advisory would continueuntil the government of Newfoundlandand Labrador would enact their own----or

allow municipalities to enact-regulationsregarding cosmetic pesticide use.

Since that time, the call for a banhas grown in strength, and with newEnvironment Minister Ross Wiseman inplace, the people of NL are looking forsome action on the pesticide issue.

The term pesticide encompasses allinsecticides, herbicides, fungicides, andother pest-control substances. Anythingfrom fy repellent, to rat poison, to any

other product used to destroy or prevent apest is considered a.pesticide.

According to the David SuzukiFoundation, pesticides are toxic to an

abundance of life forms. They are notspecific to certain pests and can harmhelpfirl insects, such as ladybugs, whichare predators of aphids-the enemy of any

gardener.Also, pesticides dorit stay on your lawn,

but in runofl can eventually make it tostreams, lakes, or the ocean. This runoffbrings harmfirl toins in contact with fishand other wildlife, and also may enter

drinking water.Some pesticides contain known cancer

causing agents, while still others are

suspected to contain these substances,

Pesticide use has been linked to a numberof health conditions in humans. A study byM. Sanborn et al. of the College of FamilyPhysicians in Canada, entided Non-

Cancer Healtb Efects Of Pest;cides, claimedpesticides may also cause neurologicaleffects, birth defec*, and other harmfirleffe&s. :

In 1962, the book Silent Spring, byRachel Carson, first made the publicaware of the dangers of organochlorideinsecticides, such as DDT It was foundthat residues from these pesticidespersisted in the food chain, accumulatingto reach higher concentrations at highertrophic levels. They were found to be thecause of population losses among variousbirds of prey, including the peregrinefalcon, due to the thinning ofits eggshells.

Though many countries have banned these

pesticides, they are still used in some partsof the world.

The Second Silent Spring? by John R.Krebs et al. states that 116 species ofbirdthroughout Europe are norr threateneddue to the use ofvarious pesticides.

MLIN Botanical Garden employs a

minimal use po1iry when it comes topesticides. "We only use slug bait nowand then. We use insecticidal soap in thegreenhouse. That's it," said Todd Boland,research horticulturalist at the garden.

According to the US EnvironmentalProtection Agency, biologically-basedpesticides, such as pheromones and

microbial pesticides, which are gainingpopularity, are safer to humans and otherorganisms than traditional chemical

pesticides.On Jan. t3; the Coalition for Alternatives

to Pesticides-Newfoundland and Labradorcreated a petition for the banning ofnon-essential, or cosmetic, pesticides. Thepetition can be read and signed at www.gopetition.co m/ peaaon/ 4201 6.htm1.