Director under the Pesticides Act - Addition or removal of an active ingredient to the List of Active Ingredients Authorized for Cosmetic Uses (Allowable List)

Summary of comment(s) received

One comment was received from a member of the public expressing concerns regarding the potential human health and environmental risks associated with the use of this active ingredient, as well as implications resulting from its broad use by the general public, including potential contraventions with label directions.

The comment shares scientific information and references regarding the acute toxicity and persistence of the chemical and poses numerous questions on how the pesticide will be used (application equipment, site of use, buffer zones, use near water, licensing etc.). Concerns were expressed with the potential for accidental exposure to humans, pesticide movement to neighbouring yards (e.g. vegetable gardens and pools) and wildlife incidents (e.g. birds’ nests in treated shrubs). Concerns were also raised about consumer intentions (“to drive out all animal life from their yards”) and potential for misuse. Finally, alternative solutions (e.g. fencing) were presented.

Response

The management of pesticides is a joint responsibility of the federal and provincial/territorial governments.

Ontario relies on Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to review the health and environmental impacts of pesticides before they are approved for sale and use across Canada, by ensuring that they pose minimal risk to human health and the environment, when used according to label requirements.

While Denatonium Benzoate is of moderate acute toxicity, the PMRA has determined that the product is used in such a manner as to not result in significant human or environmental exposure.

Like other provinces, Ontario is responsible for regulating the sale, use, storage, transportation, and disposal of pesticides, including issuing licenses and, where applicable, permits to protect human health and environment.

Under Ontario’s cosmetic pesticides ban, pesticide products that only contain active ingredients listed in the Allowable List are allowed for cosmetic purposes, such as to control weeds and insects in lawns. Active ingredients on the Allowable List are active ingredients that include biopesticides and non-conventional pesticides that pose a low risk to human health and the environment based on consideration of factors such as having low toxicity and not persisting in the environment.

This allows anyone in Ontario to use these pesticides to control weeds and other pests on lawns, gardens, driveways and other areas such as in parks or around the home.

Federally approved pest control product label includes instructions on how a pesticide is to be used to ensure that it does not cause any adverse impacts. These federally approved labels include mandatory instructions, such as requirements for personal protective equipment when applying to protect the applicator’s health; instructions to prevent damage to non-targets, as well as statements on how the pesticide is to be applied to prevent adverse impacts to neighboring properties and the environment due to drift.

Federally approved label instructions are enforceable, and the ministry continues to respond to incidents and reports of suspected non-compliance and to ensure compliance with requirements under the ban.

Any person applying a pesticide must comply with the pesticide product’s federally approved label as well as provincial requirements that apply. The public can report a suspected improper pesticide use to the ministry’s Spills Action Centre (1-800-268-6060 or https://www.ontario.ca/page/report-pollution-and-spills) or to the nearest regional or district office (https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-environment-conservation-and-parks-district-locator).