Comprehensive
Review of Pesticide Research Confirms Dangers
Press Release /
Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) 23apr04
Family doctors
highlight link between pesticide exposure and serious illnesses and disease;
children particularly vulnerable.
[Complete
paper 179 page PDF 1.01 MB at OCFP website]
Toronto, ON— The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) is strongly
recommending that people reduce their exposure to pesticides wherever possible
after releasing a comprehensive review of research on the effects of pesticides
on human health. Released today, the review shows consistent links to serious
illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases, among
others. The study also shows that children are particularly vulnerable to
pesticides.
The review found consistent evidence of the health risks to patients with
exposure to pesticides. “Many of the health problems linked with pesticide use
are serious and difficult to treat – so we are advocating reducing exposure to
pesticides and prevention of harm as the best approach”, said Dr. Margaret
Sanborn of McMaster University, one of the review’s authors.
Principle Findings of the Review:
- Many studies reviewed by the Ontario College show positive associations
between solid tumours and pesticide exposure, including brain cancer,
prostate cancer, kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer, among others.
- Previous studies have pointed to certain pesticides, such as 2,4-D and
related pesticides, as possible precipitants of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
(NHL), and the findings of the College’s review are clearly consistent
with this.
- It is clear from the review that an association exists between pesticide
exposure and leukemia. According to the College, the implication of
pesticides in the development of leukemia warrants further investigation and
also, political action.
- The review team uncovered a remarkable consistency of findings of nervous
system effects of pesticide exposures.
- Occupational exposure to agricultural chemicals may be associated with
adverse reproductive effects including: birth defects, fetal death and
intrauterine growth retardation. …more 2 Pesticide Effects and Children:
Children are constantly exposed to low levels of pesticides in their food and
environment, yet there have been few studies on the long-term effects of these
exposures. Nevertheless, the College reviewed several studies that found
associations between pesticide exposures and cancer in children. Key findings
include:
- An elevated risk of kidney cancer was associated with paternal pesticide
exposure through agriculture, and four studies found associations with brain
cancer.
- Several studies in the review implicate pesticides as a cause of
hematologic tumours in children, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and
leukemia.
- Some children have overall increased risk of acute leukemia if exposed to
pesticides in utero or during childhood, especially for exposure to
insecticides and herbicides used on lawns, fruit trees and gardens, and for
indoor control of insects.
What the Public Should Do:
Given the wide range of commonly used home and garden products associated
with health effects, the College’s overall message to patients is to avoid
exposure to all pesticides whenever and wherever possible. This includes
reducing both occupational exposures, as well as lower level exposures that
occur from the use of pesticides in homes, gardens and public green space. The
College also advocates exposure reduction techniques such as:
- Researching and implementing alternative organic methods of lawn and
garden care and indoor pest control.
- Proper use of personal protection equipment, including respirators for
home and occupational exposures.
- Education on safe handling, mixing, storage and application when pesticide
use is considered necessary. …more 3 What Family Physicians Should Do:
- In the wake of this systemic review, the College is advocating that family
physicians take the following measures:
- Screen patients for pesticides exposure at a level that may cause
significant health problems, and intervene if necessary.
- Take patient pesticide exposure history when non-specific symptoms are
present — such as fatigue, dizziness, low energy, rashes, weaknesses,
sleep problems, anxiety, depression.
- Focus efforts on prevention rather than on researching the causes of
chronic or terminal disease.
- Consider high-risk groups (e.g. children, pregnant women, seniors) in
their practices.
- Advocate reduction or pesticide risk/use to individual patients.
- Advocate reduction of pesticide risk/use in the community, schools,
hospitals and to governments.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians is a provincial chapter of the
College of Family Physicians of Canada and is a voluntary, not-for-profit
association that promotes family medicine in Ontario through leadership,
education and advocacy. The OCFP represents more than 6,700 family physicians
providing care for remote, rural, suburban, urban and inner-city populations in
Ontario. The OCFP is the voice of family medicine in Ontario. At the heart of
the organization is the building and maintenance of high standards of practice
and the continuous improvement of access to quality family practice services for
all residents of Ontario.
For more information contact:
Josh Cobden or Jennifer Casey
Environics Communications
416-920-9000
jcobden@environicspr.com
Jan Kasperski
Ontario College of Family Physicians
416-867-9646
jk_ocfp@cfpc.ca