Effective Earth Day, the province of Ontario is embarking on a pesticide ban, dubbed as one of the largest movements in North American environmental initiatives.

Beginning April 22nd, Ontario government banned the sale and use of over 250 pesticides for cosmetic purposes, including most lawn care items.

The ban prohibits the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes on lawns, gardens, parks and school yards, and includes many herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. Over 250 products will be banned for sale and more than 80 pesticide ingredients will be banned for cosmetic uses.

Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen understands the short and long term risks, explaining they’ve eliminated them not just for the environment but for families and children, also.

It does include exceptions, among them maintaining specialty turf, and controlling poisonous plants such as poison ivy.

Many retail stores have already removed the offenders from their shelves, including large chains such as Canadian Tire, allowing the switch to be easy to see what’s available in store.

Read more about the ban at the Ministry of the Environment’s website

Image courtesy of toxicnation.ca

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