Resolution - 2008.03 Submitted by: New Brunswick Provincial Council Whereas, Many household products contain known toxic substances that are not prohibited by Health Canada; and Whereas, Toxic substances found in many household products can be detrimental to one's health; and Whereas, Current legislation does not require labels on household products to list suspected toxic substances and their related health risks; therefore, be it Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 88th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to:
Some household products contain known or suspected toxic substances that have long-term or delayed health effects. "Some ingredients may be carcinogens or reproductive toxins. Some may be endocrine-disrupting chemicals?" (Labour, Toxins In , p. 1). Household products do not need to contain toxic substances to be effective, as evidenced by the many household products without toxic substances that are available on the market or made by consumers in their homes. Prohibiting the use of toxic substances and identifying suspected toxic substances in household products could result in a decrease in health problems and related health care costs. Consumers would develop a greater awareness of the health risks and be better able to make informed choices with ingredient labelling. Consumers tend to rely on government agencies to regulate chemicals, especially those posing health risks. "At the federal level, our health and environment is protected through numerous laws that govern chemical substances, including those in food, drugs, pesticides and products" (Government of Canada, Canada's Approach , p. 1). Product labelling is the responsibility of government. "Individuals should be able to read a label that says 'contains epichlorohydrin, a suspected carcinogen' and choose to not buy the product. Most individuals wouldn't know what epichlorohydrin was if it simply appeared on an ingredients list" (Wooley, p. 2). Private member's Bill C-553, An Act to ensure that warning labels are affixed to products containing toxic substances, which received first reading in the House of Commons on May 29, 2008, is a first step. Although this shows some initiative, further concerted efforts are required.
REFERENCES Government of Canada. Bill C-553 An Act to ensure that warning labels are affixed to products containing toxic substances. Short title, Toxic Substance Labelling Act. First reading May 29, 2008. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3525643&Language=e&Mode=1. Government of Canada. Canada's approach on chemical substances. (Chemical substances: an ecoACTION initiative.) http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/substance/what-quoi/index_e.html. Hillborn, Dan. Hazards of Commercial Household Cleaners, http://leas.ca/Hazards-of-Commercial-Household-Cleaners.htm, November 7, 2005. Labour Environmental Alliance Society. Labour Environmental Alliance Society. Toxins in Household Products. http://leas.ca/Toxins-in-Household-Products.htm, December 14, 2005. Labour Environmental Alliance Society. Top Toxic Targets. http://leas.ca/top-Toxic-Targets.htm, October 13, 2005 . Labour Environmental Alliance Society. Toxins Table. http://www.leas.ca/Toxins-Table.htm, October 13, 2005. Woolley, Pieta. Avoid toxins by thinking like a scientist, http://www.straight.com/article-146395/you-can-avoid-toxins-thinking-a-scientist, May 22, 2008 .
Requested Members' Action:
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