Workplace Stress
Workplace stress is identified as the harmful physical and emotional response that can happen when there is a conflict between job demands on the employee and the amount of control an employee has over meeting these demands.
Workplace stress is identified as the harmful physical and emotional response that can happen when there is a conflict between job demands on the employee and the amount of control an employee has over meeting these demands.
How is the West Nile Virus spread?
What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?
What are the risks of West Nile Virus?
What are the safe alternatives to pesticides?
What is DEET and is it safe for humans?
Is the cure more dangerous than the disease? When it comes to prevention of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, many UFCW Canada health, safety and environmental activists will answer this question with a definitive yes — that is, if the contemplated cure is wholesale use of pesticides.
Mandated by provincial governments most cities across Canada have already administered larvicides such as metheprene on suspected mosquito-breeding sites (e.g., storm sewers and catch basins) in populated areas. Larvicides are chemicals in the form of pellets or briquettes designed to prevent the growth of mosquitoes from larvae to adults. They are purported to be safe for people and animals.
But now fueled by media hype some municipalities are contemplating more drastic measures still. In these instances, "fogging" populated areas with pesticides, or adulticides ike malathion, will be the weapon of choice. Adulticides are so called because they are designed to kill adult mosquitoes.
Scientist and broadcaster David Suzuki captures the thoughts of many who oppose these ‘weapons’: "To respond in this kind of sledgehammer way, I think it’s still probably way out of proportion."
Recently, even the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission has weighed in on this issue. In a letter to the Ministry of Health, the Commissioner states, "The Ministry as well as any municipality responsible for implementing the use of chemical insecticides, has a duty to provide accommodation to persons with environmental sensitivity. Failure to do so may contravene the Code."
Thus many are urging longer-term thinking. They point to several prevention alternatives that will not compromise our health or the health of our environment. Also, the West Nile virus isn’t likely to go away any time soon, especially in light of global warming. Climate change experts predict warmer winters, and hot dry summers in Canada. These weather conditions are ideal breeding grounds for exotic infectious diseases such as West Nile virus and malaria.
West Nile virus belongs to a family of viruses called Flaviviridae. It was first isolated in 1937 in the West Nile district of Uganda. The first recorded outbreak in North America took place in and around New York City in 1999.
In Canada, the virus was first discovered in birds in Ontario in 2001. The first human case was confirmed in 2002.
West Nile virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes feeding on the blood of a virus-infected bird (e.g., crow, sparrow, or blue-jay) will themselves become infected. The most common species known to carry the virus is the Culex pipiens (northern house mosquito). Culex pipiens are largely urban and suburban mosquitoes most active at dawn and dusk. They like to hide in tall grass and brush near inhabited locations, such as houses and other buildings.
Culex pipiens breed in standing water, especially in water containing decaying organic matter (plant debris, animal wastes) found in tires, eaves troughs, wading pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, garden containers and barbecues. They are predominantly bird feeders. However, they have been known to bite humans and domestic animals when there are no birds around to bite. Culexes detect humans by sight (they observe movement), by detecting infrared radiation emitted by warm bodies, and by chemical signals (attracted to carbon dioxide, lactic acid and other chemicals).
About two weeks after the mosquitoes are infected they become capable of passing the virus to people and animals by biting them. West Nile virus is also spread to individuals through blood transfusions and organ/tissue transplants; breast milk; a pregnant mother to her unborn baby; and needlestick punctures or small cuts (laboratory workers handling infected specimens).
There is no evidence to suggest that West Nile virus is spread by person-to-person contact. Likewise, there is no evidence as yet that health care workers can contract the virus by caring for patients with the virus.
Many infected people have no symptoms and do not get sick. Others have only mild symptoms. When infection does cause illness, symptoms will usually appear within two to 15 days. The extent and severity of symptoms vary widely from person to person.
Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph lands.
Severe Symptoms
Based upon past experience, scientists report that typically less than one in 1,000 of individuals bitten by infected mosquitoes develop any clinical signs of disease and of those who do develop disease symptoms most do not develop the more serious symptoms of encephalitis. However, up to 10 per cent of those who actually develop encephalitis may die of the disease.
Some individuals have weaker immune systems and are therefore at greater risk of developing more severe symptoms and health effects such as meningitis and encephalitis. These conditions can be fatal. In such cases symptoms can include: severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, coma, muscle weakness and paralysis.
Because the virus is an emerging disease, the long-term effects are not fully understood. But some studies show that sustained health problems are possible. They can include physical issues (long-term muscle weakness paralysis), and cognitive effects (confusion, depression, memory loss). Scientists do not know why some people recover while others do not.
There is no specific treatment, medication, or cure for West Nile virus. While there is a vaccine to protect horses from West Nile virus, scientists are currently working on a vaccine to protect people.
The risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus peaks during mosquito season (mid April to late October), although concern for exposure runs highest between late July and early August. Scientists say it takes this long for the virus to build in bird populations. The good news is mosquito populations are on the wane by then. Thus the odds of being bitten by a virus-infected mosquito are relatively low. Of the few individuals bitten, only about 20 per cent will develop mild flu-like symptoms. Less than one per cent will develop serious illness.
Regardless, human exposure is greater for those in areas where the virus has been detected. When it comes to workers, outdoor workers, handlers of dead birds or animals, laboratory and poultry slaughterhouse workers, or those working in close proximity to sites near stagnant pools, ponds, watering troughs, irrigation ditches, and rain barrels are perhaps at greatest risk. Many of these workers are UFCW Canada members.
Last year, more than 4,000 people in North America became ill after being infected with West Nile virus. To date about 1,000 people in the province of Ontario have sought medical treatment for West Nile virus. Last summer there were 307 confirmed cases, 83 probable cases, and 18 deaths. Outside of Ontario, two more Canadian fatalities were reported in Quebec.
Putting things into further perspective, some 60,000 Canadians die of cancer each year and another 2,000 die of influenza. Meantime, Canada’s compensation boards recognize annually some 900 worker deaths in total, while even the most conservative estimates peg mostly "unrecognized" (or to put it another way, uncompensated) occupational cancer deaths at approximately 5,500 each year.
Also consider, pesticides such as the adulticide, malathion pose the very real risk of chronic health effects. (As we will see below widely prescribed, DEET-containing bug sprays are also not without risk.)
For example, pesticides can affect a large number of adults and children with respiratory problems or environmental illness. Malathion is advertised as one of the most harmless of organophosphate pesticides, but it has been linked to birth defects, increased asthma rates, attacks to the nervous system, childhood leukemia, and endocrine disruption. At very high levels this adulticide may also cause paralysis or death.
As well malathion negatively impacts the environment. While it is designed to kill mosquitoes, it also kills bees and moths. This could adversely affect the delicate balance of our eco-systems with yet unknown consequences.
Although the risk is small, action is warranted. Like any hazard, West Nile virus is best dealt with at the source. (While eliminating global warming is beyond the confines of this bulletin, eliminating mosquitoes before they mature or before they reproduce is not.) This is accomplished by eliminating sources of standing or stagnant water — the prime breeding place of disease-carrying mosquitoes. The following are examples of what can be done:
Some are also promoting a soil bacterium, known as Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) as a natural and safer larvicide. Apparently it doesn’t harm humans, pets, fish or birds, but may be harmful to other species of insects.
Mosquitoes not eliminated at their source, should be prevented from entering the work or living area. Ensure all windows and doors are covered with screens in good condition to keep mosquitoes outdoors. Clip tall grass or weeds standing near workplace buildings, schoolyards, and parks. Gadgets like mosquito magnets (attract and destroy mosquitoes by emitting carbon dioxide, heat and moisture); electric Bug Zapper (draws mosquitoes to a blue light and kills them); or outdoor, yellow "bug" lights are also helpful to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Laboratory workers handling specimens should use universal precautions for blood and body fluids as when working with other infectious diseases.
Employers can help protect other workers by scheduling outside work to avoid dawn, dusk and early evening hours. Outside work is also best undertaken when it is cool, windy or sunny. Workers should also wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and full-length trousers. In some instances, it may be necessary to insist upon employer-supplied bug suits (made of mesh materials with elasticized cuffs and hoods); and mosquito netting over hat (protecting head, face and neck).
Health Canada recommends the use of insect repellants with DEET. But there are also non-DEET repellants on the market containing user-friendly citronella, lavender or eucalyptus oils, Avon’s Skin-So-Soft bath oil, and soybean oil. Scientists are also experimenting with a component in tomatoes called IBI-246, piperdine found in black pepper and catnip all thought to repel mosquitoes.
Finally, all workers who are at risk of exposure to mosquitoes should receive hazard training on West Nile virus, and its control. Contact your UFCW Canada Local or the UFCW Canada National office for information on education programs offered.
DEET is the common name for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. DEET-based products are designed to control biting insects and ticks. DEET disrupts the ability of biting insects to detect the source of carbon dioxide, which is what attracts mosquitoes and other insects to us. Insects aren’t killed by DEET; they just can’t locate their prey for a period of hours.
Health Canada, the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. recommend DEET-based repellants as safe for humans. But they strongly urge consumers to follow manufacturers’ directions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. says DEET products are intended only for "spare and infrequent use."
Adults should not use products containing more than 30 per cent DEET. Children should not be given repellants with over 10 per cent. And it should never be used on pregnant women or infants. DEET should not be applied directly to hands, face or on broken skin. It should not be used under clothing. All treated areas of skin should be washed with soap and water after returning indoors.
In rare cases, use of DEET has been associated with both dermal and neurological reactions in humans, affecting the central nervous system. According to 1998 findings by the EPA, exposure to concentrations of as little as 15 per cent or less have resulted in acute health problems, including encephalopathy, with symptoms of weakness, disorientation, seizures and in rare cases death.
NOTE: We would like to acknowledge the Workers Health and Safety Centre for the use of this resource paper.
What type of working conditions can aggravate prolonged standing?
How does the body respond to prolonged standing?
What are the health consequences of prolonged standing?
How are the feet affected by prolonged standing?
What legislation is available to deal with prolonged standing at work?
What can be done to minimize or prevent prolonged standing?
We've all felt it -- sore feet, stiff legs and low back pain, all resulting from long hours of standing at work. While they may not be considered major workplace injuries they do have adverse health and safety consequences for workers. Workers who are tired and suffering are less alert increasing the risk of incidents.
European studies report one third to one half of all workers spend more than four hours a day on their feet, standing and/or walking. The largest portion of these workers work in the manufacturing and service industries, which include, retail sales associates, industrial workers (machine operators and assembly-line workers), supermarket workers (especially cashiers), and food services staff. Others such as casino dealers, mail carriers, large scale laundering workers, teachers and health care workers also spend a large percentage of time on their feet.
A U.S. study confirms that prolonged standing is especially risky for pregnant workers and their unborn children. Working in a standing position for six or more hours per day while pregnant has been linked to pre-term births, low birth weights and high blood pressure for the mother.
Generally, the effects of prolonged standing can be eliminated or reduced through work organization and workstation design. A well-designed workstation with a well-designed job, make it possible to work in a balanced position without unnecessary strain on the body.
In an ideal workplace, everyone would have the choice of standing or sitting in a properly adjusted ergonomically designed chair and resting when necessary. All the tools required to complete their tasks would be within easy reach.
Standing for long periods of time can cause the posture to become progressively worse. Typically, workers will begin to slouch and shift their weight from one foot to another to alleviate strain. Slouching promotes a posture, which is static and causes the worker to become less alert and active. If this uncomfortable position is maintained for long periods, it can lead to circulation problems such as swollen feet and legs.
The physical layout of the workstation, tools, placing of keys, controls and displays determine the body positions workers will assume when performing their tasks. If the workspace is inadequate for the task, workers will have less freedom to move around and refresh tired muscles. They may also be forced to assume awkward positions. This lack of flexibility in choosing body positions contributes to health problems.
Workplace flooring also has an impact on health, especially on the feet. Hard unyielding floors such as those made of concrete or metal are the least comfortable surfaces to work on. Working on a hard floor has the impact of a hammer, pounding the heel at every step.
These conditions commonly occur when the job is designed without considering characteristics of the body. When the job design ignores the basic needs of individual workers, work can cause discomfort in the short term and can eventually lead to severe and chronic health problems.
Joint Compression
Each body part is compressed by all of the sections of the body above it. For example, the head, arms and torso compress the hips, but the feet are compressed by the weight of the entire body. Compressing a joint is like squeezing a sponge -- body fluids are squeezed out of the space in the joint. Without body fluids and circulation, joints become malnourished, and cannot continue to support the weight of the body. Wear and tear of body parts occurs.
Insufficient Blood Return in the Legs
Gravity pulls blood down into the feet. One way that blood returns to the heart is through cyclic muscle contractions. When muscles are engaged in one long contraction to keep a person standing, it hinders proper circulation of body fluids. This can result in blood pooling in the legs, which can eventually lead to varicose veins.
Postural Muscle Fatigue
Postural joints and muscles keep the body from falling over while a person is standing or walking. These joints and muscles need nourishment, which they get from circulation. Muscles also need rest breaks to recoup from bouts of work. Standing or walking for a long time, forces muscles and joints to work nonstop without nourishment. Without rest muscles become exhausted, resulting in pain.
Standing is a natural human posture and by itself poses no particular health hazard. In fact, when standing for short periods of time, the body is in one of its most comfortable positions. The lumbar curvature is naturally maintained, the spinal column is properly supported and the body's internal organs are in a relaxed, natural position. However, working in a standing position on a regular basis can cause the following:
Keeping the body in an upright position over time requires considerable muscular effort that is particularly unhealthy even while standing motionless. When muscles are constricted, blood flow to the load-bearing muscles is reduced. These are the muscles used to maintain an upright position. This causes muscular strain in the legs, back and neck.
Insufficient blood flow accelerates the onset of fatigue and causes pain and even permanent damage to body tissue. This results in injuries such as varicose veins, arthritis in the knees and hips, plantar fasciitis (inflammation of a tough band of tissue on bottom of the foot), heel spurs, flat feet, high blood pressure and low back pain.
Prolonged and frequent standing, without some relief by walking, causes blood to pool in the legs and feet. When standing occurs over prolonged periods without some relief by walking, it can result in inflammation of the veins. This inflammation may progress to chronic and painful varicose veins. Excessive standing also causes the joints in the spine, hips, knees and feet to become temporarily immobilized or locked. This immobility can later lead to rheumatic diseases related to degenerative damage to the tendons and ligaments.
The foot has dozens of bones, joints, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and layers of fascia (connective tissue). When the body tissues are sufficiently stressed, they become swollen and/or inflamed. Chronic inflammation may create scar tissue and changes to bony structures. The bones of the foot form arches that are supported by ligaments and muscles. These arches contribute to the strength, stability, mobility, and resilience of the foot. During standing, walking, running or jumping, the arches serve as shock absorbers, spreading energy before it is transferred higher up the leg.
If arches are lost (for example through conditions of flat feet, overpronation [flattening of the arch and inward tilting of the ankle]), the shock-absorbing quality of the arches disappears. This affects the feet, knees, hips and spine. Losing the arch in the foot also changes the position of the knee and hip, which makes them more vulnerable to injury from working while standing for long period.
Britain, Sweden, Australia, Japan and the European Union are among the many jurisdictions with ergonomic regulations addressing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as those resulting from prolonged standing.
Of these, Sweden's is perhaps the most comprehensive. Legislated in January 1998 the regulation sets an ambitious target: "The purpose of the Provisions is for workstations, jobs and work environment conditions to be designed and arranged in such a way that risks of physical loads both static and dynamic which are dangerous to health or unnecessarily fatiguing or stressful are averted." Employer duties include among other things a responsibility to ensure that "work which is physically monotonous, repetitive, closely controlled or restricted does not normally occur." Also spelled out are models for assessing the work and a checklist for identifying potentially dangerous load factors.
Federal Legislation
Here in Canada regulatory action has progressed. Amendments in 2007 to Part XIX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHS) call on employers to incorporate ergonomic-related hazards responsible for the development of MSDs into their legally mandated Workplace Hazard Prevention Program (Section 125(1)z.03, Part II, Canada Labour Code).These amendments outline the details employers must incorporate in the prevention program including a hazard identification and assessment process, development of preventive measures along with ergonomics training. Employers are also required to develop, implement and monitor such a program in consultation with and with the participation of the policy committee, or, if there is no policy committee, the workplace committee or health and safety representative. As well employers are required to submit, at least every three years, an evaluation report of effectiveness to the Ministry of Labour.
Provincial Legislation
Among provincial jurisdictions British Columbia has the most comprehensive ergonomic regulation. It requires employers to consult joint health and safety committee members and affected workers in identifying, assessing and controlling the risks associated with the development of musculoskeletal injuries. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have also enacted ergonomic regulation. In Ontario, ergonomic interventions are legislated only for those in the health care sector and are especially limited in scope. Still concrete steps have been taken to address ergonomic related injuries in Ontario workplaces. In 2007 the Ministry of Labour (MOL) released two MSDs prevention resource documents developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO).
The MSD Prevention Guideline and Resource Manual provide workplaces with a framework for addressing MSDs in the workplace. This was followed by the 2008 release of an accompanying MSD Prevention Toolbox which as the name suggests contains different tools designed to aid workplaces in assessing, implementing and monitoring their MSD prevention programs.
The guideline, resource and toolbox also speak specifically to the importance of providing MSD prevention training to all workers ensuring their participation in the MSD prevention process.
Without specific ergonomics legislation UFCW Canada members and their representatives must rely on the employer's general duty clause in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). This clause requires employers to take every precaution reasonable for the protection of workers.
In the absence of specific legislation, workers and workplace representatives can minimize the risks associated with prolonged standing through workstation design, job design, flooring, anti-fatigue mats and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Workstation Design
Proper design of the workplace will alleviate the hazards associated with prolonged standing. This includes a well-designed workstation, which has the following:
Job Design
Basic principles of good job design for standing work include the following:
Flooring
Materials that provide flexibility such as wood, cork, carpeting, or rubber are gentler on workers' feet. Concrete or metal floors can be covered with mats. Mats should have slanted edges to help prevent tripping. However, thick foam-rubber mats should be avoided. Too much cushioning can cause fatigue and increase the risk of tripping.
Anti-fatigue Matting
Anti-fatigue matting may also alleviate foot discomfort and fatigue. It encourages subtle movement of the leg and calf muscles, which in turn promotes an easier flow of blood back to the heart reducing foot fatigue.
PPE (personal protective equipment)
The health effects of prolonged standing can also be minimized with the use of adequate footwear. Footwear should not change the shape of the foot, have enough space to move toes, have shock absorbing cushioned insoles and heels no higher than 5 cm (2 inches).
EDITOR'S NOTE: We would like to acknowledge the Workers Health and Safety Centre for the use of this resource paper.
What are the health effects of pesticides?
How are children affected by pesticides?
What laws regulate pesticides?
What is happening locally around pesticides?
Are there safe alternatives to pesticides?
Municipalities have the right to implement by-laws protecting public health and safety. So ruled the Supreme Court of Canada in their landmark decision upholding a by-law passed in Hudson, Quebec that banned the cosmetic use of pesticides within municipal boundaries.
Buoyed by this decision, the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) passed a resolution at its annual general meeting urging the restriction of non-essential use of chemical pesticides on public and private lands. The meeting, which was part of OPHA’s 52nd Annual Conference, drew 500 community and public health professionals who discussed the issue of pesticide use. The resulting resolution asserts that many scientific and medical studies have demonstrated an association between pesticides and numerous health effects and therefore it is prudent for municipalities to use the precautionary principle when it comes to the use of pesticides on household lawns and public lands.
Also encouraged by the Hudson case, many local health, safety and environmental activists are renewing their efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate exposures to pesticides in their workplaces and communities.
As a union UFCW Canada also supports this initiative as many of our members are exposed to pesticides do to their jobs. This in turn will protect the health and safety while on the job not just for our members but for all workers, for those who work on farms, live in our communities, and play in our parks.
Pesticides are substances designed to kill, injure, repel and neuter living organisms that some have determined to be pests. These pests might include insects, plants, fungi, moulds and/or rodents. The term "pesticides" refers to a wide range of products, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. They are available in a variety of formulations including sprays, dusts, powders, granulars, concentrates, liquids, pastes, pellets, pressurized products and tablets.
There are approximately 6,000 pesticide products registered for use in Canada. Most came into the market following World War II. The World Wildlife Fund has calculated that at least 50 million kilograms of these products are used in Canada each year, at a reported value of one billion dollars a year. They are used in agriculture, in fish farming, in homes, in day cares, in parks and recreational fields, on residential lawns, on golf courses, on pets, and even on children to combat head lice. They are also used widely in industries such as food service and textile industries.
Acute or short-term effects of pesticides can result in the following:
Long-term health consequences can also be devastating. A recent study of individuals newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease has found that home pesticide use and exposure is associated with a substantially
increased risk of developing this disease.
Previous studies have also found a relationship between pesticide exposure and neurological disorders, negative effects to the immune system, liver and kidney damage, respiratory ailments, infertility and cancers, including brain, lung, prostate and breast cancers.
Children from conception to sexual maturity are most vulnerable to pesticides. The Environmental Health Committee of the Ontario College of Family Physicians report a higher incidence of leukemia, brain cancer and soft tissue sarcomas in children exposed to herbicides and insecticides. Emerging science has also linked a wide variety of health problems in children to their parent’s exposure to pesticides, including birth defects, premature birth, learning and behavioural problems.
These latter effects were central to yet another recent study involving pesticides, this time conducted by U.S. anthropologist, Dr. Elizabeth Guillette. Guillette investigated the effects of pesticide exposure on preschool children from the Yaqui region of Mexico. The study had been prompted by earlier reports from the region of the high levels of multiple pesticides in newborns’ cord blood and in breast milk. It concluded, "Functionally, the exposed children demonstrated decreases in stamina, gross and fine eye-hand co-ordination, 30 minute memory and the ability to draw a person."Videotaped sessions with the children also visually demonstrated the heart breaking effects of pesticide exposure.
The Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) regulates pesticides in Canada. Passed in 1969, it has never been systematically revised. But the need to update the Act has been recognized and advocated for years. To this end, Marlene Jennings, a Liberal member of parliament for the Quebec riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce — Lachine, has recently introduced a Private Members’ Bill that prohibits use of pesticides for non-essential purposes. In effect, this bill shifts the burden of proof to producers by placing a moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides in the home and garden and on all recreational facilities, until such time that scientific evidence showing use to be safe is presented to parliament and concurred by a parliamentary committee.
Of particular interest to workers is another proposal to bring pesticides within the framework of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), requiring all pesticides to meet WHMIS requirements, including those for labelling, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Currently pesticides are exempt from WHMIS laws.
Pressed by health, safety and environmental activists many Canadian municipalities are not waiting for other government jurisdictions. They have already moved to protect their workers, environments and citizens by passing bylaws to reduce or outright ban the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes. Most are limited to uses on public property, but with the recent Supreme Court ruling upholding a municipality’s right to implement measures protecting the health of citizens, up to and including restrictions on private property, others are looking to broaden their approach.
Prompted by concerns about the health impacts of pesticides on municipal workers and the public, the City of Waterloo was one of the first municipalities to adopt effective alternatives for the management of green spaces. Twenty years ago more than 70 per cent of Waterloo’s green space was sprayed with pesticides. Today only 0.05 per cent of Waterloo’s parks and fields are sprayed, primarily for outbreaks of poison ivy. Based on Waterloo’s example, the following steps comprise a natural approach also known as Integrated Pest Management:
Insect infestations that threaten the health of your lawn or garden can be treated without harmful pesticides as well. The following are a few tips for the most common pests:
Organic farming uses similar principles. Concerned about their health and the environment, larger numbers of consumers are turning to organically grown food. For similar reasons and to meet consumer demand, farmers are rediscovering more natural farming methods. Other practical considerations also come into play. Only about one per cent of a pesticide actually reaches its target. Many pesticides are losing their effectiveness as the bugs and plants they are designed to eliminate develop resistance. (Already 504 insect and mite species, 150 plant diseases, and 188 weed species have developed resistance.) Further, even though farmers have increased their usage of pesticides, they are still losing about 20 per cent of their crops to weeds and insects, the same proportion as they lost in 1930.
In buildings most have found the best way to eliminate pests is to eliminate the conditions under which they thrive. For instance, the Metropolitan Toronto Separate School Board first introduced an Integrated Pest Management System in 1995, again in response to worker concerns for their health and the health of students. This system included:
With food disposed of properly, desks and lockers cleaned nightly, unwanted books and papers recycled and dead plants removed, pest populations fell sharply and immediately — within six months. Last reported, pest sightings were virtually eliminated.
Treatment for head lice also enjoys simple alternatives. While there are many pesticide-free shampoos on the market now, Dr. Moshe Ipp of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children recommends massaging in a 50:50 combination of mineral oil and vinegar. Cover with a shower cap. Wait one hour. And remove nits with a vinegar soaked comb. Wash with regular shampoo.
NOTE: We would like to acknowledge the Workers Health and Safety Centre for the use of this resource paper.
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United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union