Growing healthy lawns and gardens naturally

We all want our lawns and gardens to look healthy and green but we also want to protect our children from the health risks associated with using cosmetic pesticides. The good news is that thanks to recent legislation that was passed by the Ontario government banning the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides, we no longer have to worry about our children playing on grass that has been sprayed by cosmetic pesticides.

If you have any leftover pesticides, be sure to safely dispose of them and use these simple tips from the Government of Ontario to take care of your lawn, garden and pests the natural way!

Why are cosmetic pesticides harmful to our children’s health?

• Using cosmetic pesticides on our lawns and gardens to keep away pests and weeds may cause harm to the health of our families, children and pets.
• Children, because of their smaller bodies, can be more sensitive to the health risks of cosmeticpesticides. Because children spend a lot of time playing outdoors, they have a greater chance of coming into contact with harmful pesticides. Cosmetic pesticides can cause mild to serious health problems:

• Mild: headaches, sore eyes, rashes, nausea
• Serious: vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma attacks, 
• Serious, long-term: cancer, neurological and development problems, birth defects, death

Background on the Ontario Cosmetic Pesticide Ban

• Thanks to grassroots advocacy by determined Canadian Cancer Society volunteers and staff, as well as other health and environment organizations and thousands of Ontarians, we no longer have to worry about our children playing on grass that has been sprayed with cosmetic pesticides.
• On April 22, 2009, the Ontario government implemented a law banning the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides.
• This ban helps ensure that our children, who are more vulnerable to exposure than adults, will be protected by the strongest cosmetic pesticide legislation in North America.
• This law means families in our neighbourhoods cannot spray cosmetic pesticides on their lawns and gardens. Schoolyards, parks and cemeteries cannot be sprayed either. So, the only thing we have to worry about is grass stains!

 Say thanks!
Send a letter to your MPP and the Premier of Ontario thanking them for passing this legislation which will protect the health of our children.