E-mail your Member of Provincial Parliament
Take charge on toxics campaign is concerned about toxic chemicals being used and released where Ontarians live, work and play.
Take charge on toxics is a campaign comprised of a broad coalition of respected health, environment and labour organizations aimed at ensuring Ontario's Toxic Use Reduction legislation reduces Ontarians risk of developing cancer by effectively addressing toxic chemicals where people live, work and play.
The campaign is supported by:
- Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division
- Canadian Environmental Law Association
- Ontario Public Health Association
- United Steelworkers
- Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition
- Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
- Ontario College of Family Physicians
Many individuals question the role environmental carcinogens play in causing cancer. Due to varying definitions of environmental exposures, the exact percentage of cancers linked to the environment is not known. However, research indicates percentages could range from 5 per cent to as high as 18 per cent. Looking at the most conservative percentage (5 per cent), an estimated 3,150 Ontarians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and 1,365 will die as a result of environmental carcinogen exposure. Eighteen per cent is the equivalent to 11,340 people being diagnosed with cancer and 4,914 deaths. (Source: Canadian Cancer Society & National Cancer Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008, Toronto, Canada, 2008.)
Cancer, asthma, infertility, learning problems and birth defects have been increasingly linked with our exposure to toxic chemicals, although more research is needed. It is also important to note that environmental and occupational carcinogens disproportionately affect certain sectors of Ontario's labour force as well.
Take charge on toxics strongly supports measures to reduce toxic chemicals in the environment and the potential cancer-causing burden such toxic chemicals impose on human health. In this regard, the campaign congratulates the provincial government on their commitment to implement Toxic Use Reduction legislation.
To provide the strongest health protection for Ontarians the proposed toxic use reduction strategy should be enhanced by including measurable targets for reducing toxic chemicals, substitution requirements where possible, implementation of a third party institute and clear information for consumers.
We need your help to ensure the Ontarian's health is protected from toxic chemical being used and released where we live, work and play.
We have a short window of time to make our voices heard. If you share the concerns of the Take charge on toxics campaign, please send a letter to your MPP copying the Premier and Ministers.
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