“We are conducting a vast toxicological experiment in which our children and our children's children are the experimental subjects." Dr. Herbert Needleman

Dr. Herbert Needleman belatedly received the Heinz Award in the Environment for his extraordinary contributions to the understanding and prevention of childhood lead poisoning. This award was given years after Dr. Needleman’s reputation and research were attacked by the lead industry. The threatened lead industry hired public relations firms and scientific consultants to denounce Dr. Needleman’s work. This is a classic example of how an industry seeks to shape science and threaten those who want to expose the truth.

That is why as individuals, it is our lifework to seriously oppose the upside-down values of our world today - taking action every way we can. One way is opposing the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.

Every Monday and Thursday my husband and enjoy a morning walk to our local farmer’s market where we appreciate buying local, organic produce. Our enjoyment was cut short one day this fall seeing several red, stop-sign, shaped signs driven into the grass on Alexis Park School property.

Upon further investigation we were shocked to discover grim, skull and cross-bones upon the signs warning us to stay off the lawns. The lawns had been sprayed with 2-4D, Mecoprop, and Dicamba (common cocktails used in Killex, Par III weed control for lawns). These ‘stop’ signs, with their specters of death warning us of the poison while children played upon the nearby playground were testimony to a world and community with upside-down values. Cosmetic pesticides before children.

Erroneously, my husband and I thought 2-4D had been banned - as years ago we had heard of its toxicity. The Sierra Club has extensive research on the toxicity of 2-4D since the late ‘80’s. To quote them “Despite industry efforts claiming the safety of this chemical, there is a large body of evidence indicating major health effects, from cancer to immunosuppression, reproductive damage to neurotoxicity. Environmental contamination, particularly in wetlands has also been demonstrated, in direction infringement of the Fisheries Act R.S., c. F-14, s. 36.”

In a media release on the www.cancer.ca website, Dr. Barb Whylie, Director of Cancer Control Policy, of the Canadian Cancer Society says “the Cancer Society fully supports a ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides for ornamental purposes, stating there are better options for weed control.” The cancer society wants this stuff banned yet we are saying it’s OK to spray it on playgrounds? What is wrong with this picture?

Both Ontario and Quebec have province wide bans on cosmetic pesticide sale and use. The Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa (CHO) says, “Pesticides are among the most widely used chemicals in the world, and also among the most dangerous to human health. They are a leading cause of poisonings here in Canada and have been estimated to account for thousands of deaths each year globally. Pesticides can also cause chronic health effects due to both acute poisonings and from chronic long-term exposure.” To read the scientific abstracts for further proof go to the Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa.

Personally, I would rather my child roll in weeds than pesticides. Not to mention how these toxins break down and enter our lakes and bodies.

When did our values become so upside-down we said “O.K.” to lawn beautification at the cost of toxins burdening our environment, our bodies and that of our children? You can make a difference by refusing to support this toxic trade in your yard. There are many Lawn and Garden Tips like, “Find out about organic lawn care for the cheap and lazy,” at the Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa site mentioned above.

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.~ Albert Einstein

Through researching cosmetic pesticides I have discovered I am not alone. This is a hot topic in Vernon, B.C. Canada with many people working hard toward change. The city is proposing to eliminate cosmetic pesticides on public land in 2010 and on private property in 2012... My concern is the word “proposing” and the belated time line.

Our city needs your input. I am encouraging each and every one of you to let City Council know that you want to see the end of cosmetic pesticides sales and use in Vernon public and private properties NOW rather than two years later. Personally, I would like to see our entire valley turned into an organic farming belt.

In the Bill Moyer NOW PBS documentary, “Are we Poisoning Our Children,” Dr. Steingraber said, “our children have home and garden pesticides in their urine…(and)...that children serve as canaries in a coal mine.”

Are we willing to allow our children, and children’s children to be the canaries in the coal mine?

****************************************************************************

********************************************************************************

If you're enjoying our site and would like nudges calling you back to your true self you'll appreciate reading our “Living Your Lifework” E-book.

Like our site the articles within this e-book are about living our daily lives with depth and sacredness. We are all being called to listen to our spirit, heart, intuition, intelligence, life wisdom and soul to live authentic lives and follow our deepest calling.

Please read the Table of Contents, including the recently added chapter on “Reclaiming Your Passion” at "Living Your Lifework" e-book.

In purchasing this e-book you are helping us to continue operating this site as it costs money to do so. We thank you, deeply for your contribution.

With warmest regards,

My Lifework Mentoring program is about you uncovering your answers from within. It is not about me supplying so-called 'expert' answers for you.

My Lifework Mentoring is about creating sacred space wherein your soul feels safe enough to speak its truth. I’ll reflect your inner wisdom – your holy music - back to you. Through listening to our soul speak we come to know our truth and then, can more readily follow our deepest calling.

Each of us has our answers within - sometimes we just need to listen more deeply, practice more patience, solitude, reflection, contemplation and sharing with someone who listens and cares. For many people - friends and family cannot offer this type of mentoring or support when the time has come to listen to one's own truth above all else.

Within my Lifework Mentoring I offer suggestions and practices for you that have brought me closer to my True Self, and have resurrected my mission and my passion from the ashes. Most of us simply need someone who can reflect our “holy music” back to us and encourage us to follow our True Self. It is so easy to overlook our own ‘God-ness.’

Please visit me at "Lifework Mentoring" if you would like to find out about our introductory, 30 minute, complimentary Lifework Mentoring session.

Click here if you want to know more about toxins and cosmetic pesticides in our bodies and the world and, what you can do.