Toxics in Toronto
From chemical pesticides to industrial pollutants, Toronto's air, water and land are laced with toxic chemicals that endanger human health and the environment.
Torontonians deserve an environment free of toxic chemicals. By reducing our own use of such substances and urging industries and facilities to use less toxic substances, we can make Toronto a safer place to live.
The Toronto Environmental Alliance is working to reduce and eliminate the impact of toxic chemicals on our health and environment:
- Currently, TEA is working with Environment Hamilton and Environmental Defence on the Good Neighbour Campaign to organize and support community groups to create productive relationships with local industries to reduce pollution and protect human and environmental health. To read more about the theory, the campaigns and the results, see our Good Neighbour Campaign website.
- TEA is monitoring the implementation of ChemTRAC, the City of
Some of our past campaigns include:
- Working with the Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition to prevent environmental and occupational exposures to carcinogens.
- Advocating for an end to cosmetic pesticide use through the Toronto Pesticide Bylaw, adopted in 2003.
- Encouraging City Council to pass a Community Right to Know Bylaw to give residents access to information about toxic chemicals used, stored, and released in their neighbourhoods. The bylaw, officially called the Environmental Reporting & Disclosure By-law was successfully passed in December 2008 and came into effect in January 2010.