Pesticides and human health: why public health officials should support a ban on non-essential residential use

The College of Family Physicians of Ontario recently released a comprehensive report on pesticide exposure and health risk, concluding that various pesticides had adverse health effects. The pesticide industry says that pesticides are "safe" when used as directed because they are studied and approved by governmental agencies. Yet many municipalities, including Canada's three largest, and the province of Quebec have enacted bans on cosmetic use of pesticides, largely in response to health concerns. Reviewing the report, the status of regulation of pesticides and the limitations of studies and of regulation in Canada, it appears that on the basis of evidence available to date, public health officials should support a ban on cosmetic use of pesticides.