A Vernon parent is wondering why school playing fields are still being sprayed with pesticides as communities across the country have discontinued using chemicals to control weeds.

In a presentation to trustees at last month's district board meeting, Kerry Bokenfohr explained her concerns about the use of pesticides even as the Canadian Cancer Society has determined they are unsafe.

"I was completely shocked to find out they were still doing it," she said.

"I was originally part of a delegation who presented to the board almost eight years ago, so this issue has been a long-standing concern of many parents."

Bokenfohr said there are now 154 cities and towns across Canada with partial or full bans on pesticide use, with most bylaws phased in to educate residents and businesses about less toxic use.

Both Ontario and Quebec now have province-wide legislation in place banning the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.

In March, the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District passed a policy that bans the cosmetic use of pesticides on school property.

Bokenfohr said the district's policy on pesticides/herbicides states that their use will be reviewed every two years.

"Back in 2001, we left it with the district and they were going to look at the situation," she said. "I remember back then, a trustee said kids might trip on weeds. There has been no reported case in North America of someone tripping on a weed and being sued."

Jerilyn Kiely is community action co-ordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society, Interior Region.

In her presentation to the board, she said the society is calling for a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides on private and public lands.

"The Canadian Cancer Society does not come out with a position unless it's backed by research, and in this case, there's enough research out there that says precautions need to be taken," she said.

"It mirrors the way things were with the tobacco industry, a long time ago people were making links with tobacco and cancer and here we are, all these years later, and the whole issue of tobacco is still not over.

"Once again we have a substance that is widely used, with increasing evidence linking exposure to certain cancers, and where use is known to adversely impact innocent bystanders, particularly pregnant women and children."

Much like current fears of unemployment and loss of business by lawn care companies, widespread fear by bar and restaurant owners led to their opposition of tobacco bans.

"Today we know that the opposite is true. Restaurants and bars have adapted and today we all enjoy a tobacco-free meal when dining out."

In her presentation, Kiely cited several studies linking use of pesticides to cancer.

She said the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the U.S. National Toxicology Program 11th Report on Carcinogens report growing evidence linking pesticide exposure with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adult and childhood leukemia, brain cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and some lung cancers.

"There are sustainable, non-toxic practices and alternatives for cosmetic pesticides," she said.

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