Reducing Toxics Use

Toxic substances (toxics) are part of our everyday modern life – they exist in our air, water and soil, and in many of the products that we use at home and work.

There are thousands of toxics – most of which are man-made chemicals – with many having the potential to harm the environment and living organisms, including humans, wildlife and plants.

We can all help reduce the amounts of toxic substances by:

• educating ourselves on the chemicals in the products we use;
• purchasing natural, chemical-free products whenever possible; and
• properly disposing of any potentially harmful substances we may have.

For tips on what you can do to reduce toxics use in your life, you can visit Web MD’s Healthy Home.  And for more information on toxics you can read Toxics, the Environment and Your Health: A Toxics Reduction Strategy for Ontario.

Banning Cosmetic Pesticides

Many of the pesticides that are used for lawn and garden care contain chemicals that can be harmful to human health and the environment.

The Ontario government has passed a law banning the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes on lawns, gardens, parks and school yards, and includes many herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.  For more information, visit ontario.ca/pesticideban.