Editor:
Before we call for a complete ban on all cosmetic pesticides I think it would be well to do some research on specific pesticides.
I am assuming that the proposed ban would include 2-4 D, the most commonly used control for broad-leafed weeds, and especially used for control of dandelions.
I quote from Health Canada, “Health Canada understands that the public may have concerns over the use of pesticides and would like to convey that all registered pesticides undergo a thorough science-based risk assessment and must meet strict health and environmental standard before being approved for use in Canada.”
More than 1,700 studies have been made on the safety of 2-4 D and none revealed any harmful effects when used as directed.
Then a study of the studies came to the conclusion that the studies were valid.
With evidence like this it seems to me completely unrealistic and undesirable to let our public parks and our gardens be invaded by dandelions.
Surely “someone thinks something” should not be sufficient proof that a product be banned when there is such an abundance of scientific evidence to the contrary.
Margie Kaufman
Williams Lake