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:
- Good Neighbour Campaign: Currently, TEA is working with Environment Hamilton and Environmental Defence 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.
- ChemTRAC: TEA is monitoring the implementation of the City of
Some of our past campaigns include:
- Community Right to Know: In 2004, TEA launched a campaign to raise awareness of toxic chemical releases across Toronto and 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 campaign was a success, and the bylaw, officially called the Environmental Reporting & Disclosure By-law was successfully passed in December 2008 and came into effect in January 2010.
- Creating a map of Toronto showing reported toxic releases in 2003.
- Working with the Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition to prevent environmental and occupational exposures to carcinogens.
- Pesticide By-law: TEA advocated for an end to cosmetic pesticide use on Toronto lawns - in response, the City passed Toronto Pesticide Bylaw in 2003.