Like all things it ain't quite what you think it is.

The ban primarily affects homeowners. When you get beyond them, commercial
applications are limited as far as what is considered cosmetic, but there
are waivers. Most interesting are all the "commercial applicator"
pesticides that still can be used, including Imid! Sorry Xerxes. It is not
banned.

Add that there are a load of properties that are exempt including golf
courses and playing fields. Also all public works (government property)
which have greater leeway on what is "cosmetic". There are even less
restrictions when you go rural. As usual, the government is looking out for
those who matter.

And the real stuff that is banned are mostly weed killers for the homeowner
and pesticides they once could buy off the shelf. The commercial applicator
purchases are categorized in different classes. Imid is class 3 for
commercial use.

So pesticides are not banned but regulated. Nothing new there only what is
regulated and who can use it. Even the home owner can buy some pesticides,
it is just they are not as effective as the old ones. It did not take long,
because now every chemical supplier has them on the market, so the chem
companies are not suffering. Even the landscape people can stay in
business, only they have to use the new chemicals. Plus, they can use the
old ones if the issues are not "cosmetic". With the new chemicals they will
have to come back more often, so life is still good. Apply acid, come back
with alkali, come back with acid .... repeat and rinse.

Again, the only one who is really hurt is the homeowner. More cost and less
effective.

I question the use of some of the approved chemicals, acetic acid being
one. We have enough acid soil as it is, so more acidity is not going to be
good for other organisms in the soil. Acids do work. Just look in your yard
at the place where a dog relieves themselves. The lawn eventually matches
the color of their pee. Lots of lime will be sold.

Some of the approved homeowner pesticides are dangerous, even though they
are "organic", like diatomacious earth, which I only used once and got rid
of it after reading the label-

Potential Chronic Health Effects:
> Very hazardous in case of inhalation. CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Classified 1
> (Proven for human.) by IARC, 1 (Clear
> evidence.) by NTP, + (Proven.) by OSHA, + (Proven.) by NIOSH
>

It is right down there for rugrats to inhale, plus the applier. I have seen
what asbestos can do, so anything solid that can be inhaled is anathema to
me. Silicosis is possible from this stuff. It is on the list because it is
organic and natural(ly dangerous).

Most of Ontario''s population resides within a stones throw of the US or
Quebec's border and you have a major problem with controlling the movement
of pesticides, as has been noted in Ontario papers. Remember, it is mostly
herbicides that are outlawed for the homeowner, and Roundup seems to still
be around, based on runoff reports.

In Ontario, if you want to control garden pests, many of the approved pet
sprays and household sprays will do as good a job as the banned sprays.
Check their ingredients.

I love the government. A source of constant amusement.

Thank you kindly,

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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