A public symposium examining the health risks associated with cosmetic use of pesticides will be held at UBC Okanagan on Saturday, Sept. 22.
The Inconvenient Truth About Pesticides, What Industry Isn’t Saying is sponsored by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies’ Cultural Studies program and the Faculty of Health and Social Development at UBC Okanagan, in conjunction with the Canadian Cancer Society.
“This symposium discusses the health risks associated with pesticides and the need to enact the precautionary principle to protect citizens, especially children, from potential harm,” says Daniel Keyes, Chair of UBC Okanagan’s Cultural Studies program and one of the symposium organizers.
The symposium will be moderated by John Wagner, Assist. Professor with UBC Okanagan. Wagner, who teaches environmental anthropology, has conducted research in Canada and Papua New Guinea on a variety of resource management issues including fisheries, agricultural systems and conservation projects. Currently, he is conducting a long-term study of water management and development in the Okanagan Valley.
Expert speakers joining Wagner are
- Paul Hasselback, a Medical Health Officer with Interior Health with responsibility for the Central Okanagan, will present Pesticides and Health – the Battle on the Front Lawn.
- Dr. Warren Bell, a family physician and past president of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, will present What We Don’t Know about Pesticides Can Hurt You.
- Lisa Weber, Canadian Cancer Society Health Promotion Coordinator, will present Pesticides and Cancer; The Need for an Effective Bylaw.
The symposium is open to the public, and runs from 2 to 4 p.m. in UBC Okanagan’s Arts Building room ART 366.
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