Pesticide Free Sudbury, a group dedicated to allowing citizens to pursue a better understanding of their health and the environment, is holding a public meeting tonight to discuss the effects of pesticides.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 pm at St. Paul's United Church, 131 Regent St.
A petition organized by Pesticide Free Sudbury will be presented to city council by Ward 6 Councillor Janet Gasparini on March 8, asking for a by-law to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides in the city.
The petition has been signed by nearly 1,500 people from across Greater Sudbury.
The petition states that pesticides are now linked to a number of health problems, including leukemia and other cancers, neurological disorders, skin problems, miscarriages, genetic damage, decreased fertility, along with a handful of other conditions.
A report published in 2000 by the College of Family Physicians in Ontario, called Regulating Pesticides to Protect Children's Health says that while there are gaps in scientific knowledge, when all the evidence is considered collectively, the potential for health problems from pesticides represents an unacceptable risk to humans, especially children.
For more information, phone Suzanne Harvey at 523-6562.
