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Pesticides and Health

in is the Issue Products Act (PCPA). Before a product or Sources of use is registered, the PCPA requires the Exposure federal government to use a science-based Pesticides, also known as pest control approach to determine that the pesticide Pesticide intake may occur through products, control, destroy or inhibit the does not pose an unacceptable risk to dietary sources (food and water) as pesti- activities of pests, and minimize their human health and the environment. cides are primarily used in agriculture to injurious, noxious or troublesome effects. In addition, it must be demonstrated protect crops and livestock. In some If not properly managed, pests can affect that the product has value. The use of instances, residues of these pesticides can our quality of life in many different pesticides is also subject to regulation remain in or on the foods that have been ways. Pests can represent a threat to under provincial/territorial legislation, treated. In addition, pesticide use patterns public health and the environment as and also by municipalities. are such that contamination of drinking well as create significant negative water sources may occur via drift, runoff impacts to the economy if they are not Infants and children have been a special or leaching through the soil. efficiently controlled. The availability consideration in pesticide risk assessments and use of pesticides have the potential for many years. The PMRA has estab- Residential exposure to pesticides may to pose risks, both directly and indirectly, lished policies that require additional occur from uses on lawns, gardens and to the health, safety and well-being of protection for children and pregnant ornamental plants, the use of personal people in Canada, and to the environ- women, and to also take into account insect repellents, flea and tick products ment. As such, pesticides are highly pesticide exposure from all sources, on pets, or uses to control pests such as regulated products. including food and water. These policies ants, wasps and cockroaches in homes. were formally implemented in law in Background June 2006 when the new PCPA came Bystander exposure to pesticides may into force. occur from uses in institutions such as Pesticides have a wide range of intended schools and hospitals, public areas such uses in agriculture (e.g. to The new Act also supports pesticide risk as parks and other recreational areas, and prevent crop damage; to reduction. For example, it specifies that from public health uses. prevent plant disease), forestry, industry only pesticides that make a useful contri- (e.g. material preservatives in paints or bution to pest management are to be In occupational settings such as agricul- metal working fluids), and society registered, and it supports expedited ture and forestry, exposure may occur (e.g. personal insect repellents). Pesticides registration of lower-risk products. while handling or applying pesticides. include conventional chemical substances As well, workers re-entering treated areas as well as pheromones, organisms and Internationally, the PMRA continues to may be exposed to pesticide residues. devices that can be used to control a pest work with its counterparts in other coun- or to lessen the detrimental effects of tries to harmonize the processes used to Health Risks a pest. regulate pesticides and ensure the protec- tion of health and the environment. Before a product is approved for use in All pesticides used, sold or imported into Partners include the USEPA1 and Mexico Canada, it must undergo a thorough Canada are stringently regulated by through the NAFTA2 technical working science-based risk assessment and meet ’s Pest Management group on pesticides, the European strict health and environmental standards. Regulatory Agency (PMRA). The federal Union, the OECD3, and the United If the use of a product poses unacceptable legislative authority for the regulation of Nations through Codex4 and WHO5. risks to human health or the environment, it is not registered for use in Canada. ______Furthermore, all pesticides registered 1. United States Environmental Protection Agency prior to 1995 are being re-evaluated 2. North American Free Trade Agreement using the most modern scientific risk 3. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 4. Codex Alimentarius of the WHO and FAO 5. World Health Organization of the United Nations assessment approaches to ensure they As required, exposure reduction measures Aggregate and Cumulative Risk meet current safety standards. Moving are developed. These can include limita- Exposure to a pesticide may occur forward, pesticides will be re-evaluated tions on the conditions of use for a prod- through different routes (oral, dermal on a 15 year cycle. uct, such as restricting use to only profes- and inhalation) and pathways (dietary, sional applicators where specialized drinking water, residential uses in and During the evaluation or re-evaluation equipment and training are needed. around homes and schools). In order to of a pesticide, the PMRA considers a Childrens’ Health Priorities fully assess potential risks, the PMRA comprehensive toxicology database in conducts aggregate assessments which order to assess potential health effects. The PMRA’s human health risk assess- consider these different pathways and These include, but are not limited to, ments consider the Canadian population routes. Where it has been demonstrated studies to characterize acute and chronic in general and subpopulations such as that a group of pesticides share a com- toxicity, carcinogenic potential, repro- women of child-bearing age, pregnant mon mechanism of toxicity, they are ductive and developmental toxicity, and nursing women, infants and children. subject to a cumulative risk assessment immunotoxicty, neurotoxicty, genotoxic- Infants and children have been a special in which the combined aggregate risks ity and endocrine disruption potential. consideration in health risk assessments are assessed. The PMRA assessments are also informed for many years. Recent advances in by epidemiological evidence, general scientific understanding reaffirm that scientific knowledge and published children are not “little adults” and must Re-evaluation of scientific information. be considered as a discrete subgroup. Organophosphate, Carbamate Two elements distinguish infants and and Lawn Care Pesticides The risk posed by a pesticide depends children from the adult population: on the toxicity of the pesticide and the Organophosphates Pesticides amount of pesticide to which a person is 1) Biological considerations. The devel- exposed. A pesticide with low toxicity oping fetus, infants, and children are in a Organophosphates (OPs) are a group of and high exposure may cause similar state of rapid growth with cells dividing closely related pesticides used extensively risks as a pesticide with high toxicity and and organ systems developing. Children in agricultural and non-agricultural sites low exposure. Therefore, as part of its have a higher ratio of skin surface area to that have potential to affect functioning assessments, the PMRA estimates the extent body weight than adults and on a weight of the nervous system. As a result of the to which a user and bystander(s) could for weight basis, children eat more food, common mechanism, a cumulative risk be exposed through use of the pesticide. drink more water, and breathe more air, assessment of these pesticides is being than adults. As a result of these biologi- conducted. Several of these pesticides In the exposure assessment, sensitive cal differences, children may absorb, have been voluntarily discontinued or populations and life stages are specifically metabolize, and excrete chemicals differ- have had their residential uses severely addressed, including infants, children, ently than adults do, potentially result- restricted. Completion of the re-evaluation and women of child-bearing age. ing in differing levels of susceptibility to of these pesticides and their uses is a Consideration is given to the different chemical hazards. priority of the PMRA. activities, dietary habits, food intake and body weight of children versus adults. 2) Unique exposures. In addition to Carbamate Pesticides A pesticide will only be registered if this exposure through minute residues that The N-methyl carbamates are a group of estimated exposure raises no concerns. may remain on some food, such as fruits closely related pesticides used in homes, Once this is determined, the PMRA will and vegetables, children may be exposed gardens and agriculture that have ensure the label directions indicate the to pesticide residues in breast milk and potential to affect the functioning of the appropriate use instructions to best formula, through skin contact with treat- nervous system. As with the OPs, a minimize exposure. Therefore, it is ed surfaces while crawling and playing, cumulative risk assessment of these highly important that the person using and through incidental ingestion from compounds is being conducted and the product carefully follow the label behaviours such as hand to mouth re-evaluation of these pesticides and their directions. transfer. uses is underway. Voluntary risk reduc- The PMRA also sets the maximum residue tion measures have been implemented limits (MRLs) on food commodities, which for carbaryl, including the discontinua- are enforced by the Canadian Food tion of pet care products, as well as Inspection Agency. For pesticide residues limitations on broadcast turf uses and MRLs are set only after the PMRA has dust formulations. confirmed that any pesticide residues that could be consumed are acceptable. Lawn Care Pesticides If you choose to use pesticides, use Poisoning There is an increased interest on the part products only for their registered and If is suspected, con- of the public regarding the urban use of intended uses while carefully following sult a physician immediately. Bring the pesticides, particularly for lawn care. the directions on the label. These direc- pesticide container or the label to the PMRA initiated a special review of four tions specify how you must use the prod- hospital. This may help in quickly and four insecticides uct so that it poses no health or environ- diagnosing and treating the patient. commonly used in lawn care. The mental concerns. To prevent accidents, re-evaluations are completed for four of pesticides should always be stored safely, If a pesticide poisoning or other incident the lawn pesticides. As a result of these in their original containers and out of occurs, including adverse effects to health re-evaluations, the insecticides chlorpyri- children’s reach. Minimize exposure to and the environment, it should be fos, diazinon and malathion (broadcast yourself and others by only using pesti- reported directly to the PMRA or, starting turf use), and the mecoprop are cides when necessary. in the spring of 2007, to the pesticide being phased out. The re-evaluation Food registrant. Under the new PCPA, regis- review for lawn and turf uses of 2,4-D trants will be required by law to report was released February, 2005, with an It is always a good idea to wash fresh pesticide incidents to the PMRA within update provided in August, 2006, and produce under running water and wipe a set time frame. the proposed decision following the dry. This will help remove any remain- review of the agricultural uses is targetted ing surface pesticide residues, and more Storage for 2007. The proposed decision for the importantly, it will help to remove any Store pesticides out of the reach of herbicide MCPA was published April 2006, dirt or bacteria that may be on the sur- children and pets, and away from feed, and the herbicide dicamba is slated for face of the food. From the time when it food or water. publication in 2007. The assessment of is picked to the time it arrives in your the carbaryl is underway, and kitchen, produce can come in contact Disposal with different environments and be is expected to be completed in 2008. The best solution to the problem of handled by many people. pesticide disposal is good planning. It is Minimizing Your Risk Using Personal Insect Repellents essential to purchase only the required Safely quantity for a specific problem. Contact Responsible Use of Pesticides your municipal officials to inquire Parents and caregivers have always tried It is good practice to reduce or eliminate about a collection site for household to protect their children from mosquito hazardous waste. any unnecessary exposure to pesticides. bites. Now that mosquitoes can carry Canadians can and should seek opportu- the West Nile virus, there is even more nities to minimize their exposure to concern about their bites. For most Role of Governments and reduce their reliance on pesticides. Canadians, the risk of illness from West As such, the PMRA supports integrated Nile virus is low, and the risk of serious Federal Responsibilities pest management practices, an approach health effects is even lower. Pesticides must be registered under the combining biological, cultural, physical PCPA before they can be imported, and chemical tools to manage pests. To help prevent mosquito bites, the use manufactured, sold or used in Canada. In doing so, pest control benefits are of a personal insect repellent should be Registration under the PCPA requires a maximized, while health and environ- considered. Never use personal insect thorough scientific evaluation by the mental risks are minimized. repellents on children under six months PMRA to determine if new pesticides are of age, and for children under two years acceptable for a specific use and if regis- Pesticide Use In and Around of age it is advisable to use mosquito tered pesticides remain acceptable for use the Home netting around their carriages rather once on the market. If Canadians A homeowner must decide how much than personal insect repellents, unless a choose to use pesticides, they can only damage from pests can be tolerated before high risk of complications from insect use a pesticide registered by the federal control is necessary. Before purchasing bites exist. government for the pests and treatment any pesticide product or hiring a pest areas listed on the label, and use them control operator, check on possible alter- Read the label carefully before using. according to the label directions. natives that may be available to control Pay special attention to the maximum the pest. Some pests may be controlled number of applications allowed per day, by using traps and physical barriers or by the age restrictions for use, and the sealing cracks and crevices that may protection times. allow pests to enter the home. Provincial Responsibilities Need More Info? The provinces and territories are able to enact regulations to restrict or prohibit The following links on the Health Canada PMRA website provide further the use of products that are registered information on the topics discussed in this document: under the PCPA in their jurisdictions. These regulations can be more restrictive Pesticide Risk Assessment Process than the PCPA or other federal regula- tions, but not less restrictive. For exam- Fact Sheet on the Regulation of Pesticides in Canada ple, provinces and territories may be www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/fact/fs_pestreg-e.pdf involved in the following:  require pesticide use permits and Roles of the Three Levels of Governments Regarding Pesticides in Canada impose additional use restrictions; www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/infonotes/InfoNote-GovtRoles-e.pdf  regulate the transportation, sale, use, or for more details on the PMRA and pesticide regulation in html format storage and disposal of pesticides; www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/aboutpmra/about-e.html  regulate the training, certification and licensing of pesticide applicators and vendors; Science Policy Notice SPN2000-01—A Decision Framework for Risk Assessment and Risk Management in the Pest Management Regulatory Agency  respond to spills or accidents. www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/spn/spn2000-01-e.pdf Municipal Responsibilities Provincial and territorial governments Science Policy Notice SPN2003-03—Assessing Exposure from Pesticides in may also allow cities, towns and Food A User’s Guide municipalities to enact bylaws to set www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/spn/spn2003-03-e.pdf further regulations, including use restric- tions, on pesticide use based on local considerations. Science Policy Notice SPN2002-01—Children’s Health Priorities within the Pest Management Regulatory Agency www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/spn/spn2002-01-e.pdf

Responsible Pest Management Healthy Lawns Strategy www.healthylawns.net

Pest Notes www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/consum/pnotes-e.html

Action Plan on Urban Use Pesticides www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/hlawns/hl-ActionPlan-e.pdf

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Health Canada, 2007

HC Pub.: 4464 Cat.: H128-1/07-496-5E ISBN: 978-0-662-44816-7