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HAMILTON, Ontario, Apr 24, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Canadian doctors are advising people to limit their exposure to pesticides because studies link pesticide exposure to several difficult to treat diseases.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians said Friday a wide range of studies link pesticide exposure to cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases and since most of those health problems are difficult to treat, the doctors recommend limited pesticide exposure, reported the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
"Perhaps most striking is that work exposure among parents can result in an increased risk of significant health problems, including kidney cancer and brain cancer, in their children," said study author Dr. Margaret Sanborn, of McMaster University, in Hamilton.
"A few studies show even pesticide exposures caused by home and garden use, likely to be considerably less intense or frequent than work exposure, is associated with problems including brain cancer, childhood leukemia and a neurodegenerative disease."
The pesticide industry has said banning lawn chemicals is unnecessary because Canada's regulatory system ensures the products are safe if properly used.
Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
