New Brunswick Groups To Develop Plan For Phasing Out Cosmetic Pesticides In Province

(Fredericton/Moncton/St. John - April 26, 2001) - To mark National Pesticide-Free Week (April 22-28 2001), a group of health and environmental organizations in New Brunswick today announced that they are joining forces to have cosmetic pesticides banned in New Brunswick.

The group, initially comprised of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Falls Brook Centre, New Brunswick Lung Association, Petitcodiac Riverkeeper and Campaign for Pesticide Reduction - NB, will be contacting additional health, environment and community groups throughout the province to solicit their support to call for a ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides in New Brunswick.

According to Lia Daborn of the Conservation Council, "There is a growing body of evidence which demonstrates that exposure to toxic substances in our environment can interfere with the intellectual development and future fertility of children and reproduction in wildlife populations. The risks posed by cosmetic pesticides to children include attention deficits, diseases of the blood and cancer. These chemicals are of special concern because of the frequent opportunities for exposure by parents, pregnant women, infants and children."

"The development of the Pesticide Caucus is a timely one", says Daniel LeBlanc of the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper. "Many communities across Canada, including Halifax, have banned the use of these chemicals; the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in 2000 recommended the development of a strategy for the gradual phase-out of pesticides used for cosmetic purposes; and there is an increasing number of studies linking cosmetic pesticides to childhood and adult illness."

"We can no longer ignore the health risks posed by exposure to these chemicals," comments Kenneth Maybee, President and CEO of the New Brunswick Lung Association. "These pesticides are used for aesthetic purposes. By eliminating the risk of exposure to these chemicals, we can reduce the impact on our health and the environment".

It is the ultimate goal of this group to see the province free from cosmetic pesticides by 2003.

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Contacts:
Lia Daborn, Conservation Council 506-458-8747
Daniel LeBlanc, Petitcodiac Riverkeeper 506-388-5337
Kenneth Maybee, President and CEO, NB Lung Association 506-455-8961