Pesticides: What do Health Canada scientists do? - Described video

Transcript

Transcript - Pesticides: What do Health Canada scientists do? - Described video

Narrator: Pesticides and other pest control products touch many aspects of your everyday life - from growing healthy food, to making sure your home is clean and safe, to keeping pesky rodents away.

Described Video: A mother and her son are in the kitchen. The son grabs an apple and leaves the scene as various bubbles with images such as a farmer, a man painting a wall, a hand cleaning the counter with ants in the background, a mouse and someone spraying insect repellent onto their arm appear on screen.

Now, you may be wondering 'should I be worried about this?'

You shouldn't.

Health Canada scientists are working to make sure that all pesticides made and sold in Canada can be used safely.

But how?

Described Video: The mother in the kitchen transitions to her job as a scientist standing in an office within a laboratory. She walks over to a beaker filled with liquid and picks it up.

Narrator: Before a pest control product can be put on the store shelf, Health Canada scientists evaluate hundreds of different scientific studies so that they can be sure it can be used safely, and that human health and the environment will be protected.

Described Video: A man and his dog are sitting on a backyard deck. The screen zooms into two bubbles that show the man's hand painting the fence and putting a flea collar on the dog. The man throws a ball into the house and the dog chases it. The scene transitions to his job as a scientist and is standing in an office with a laboratory and looking at his laptop.

These scientists need to be convinced that no harm is going to result from the proper use of a product before Health Canada will approve its use.

Described Video: The male scientist picks up a file folder and starts reading it. A thought bubble appears with farm crops within it and a green check mark is placed over top.

Narrator: Science is constantly improving and we continue to learn more and more about how the world around us works.

Described Video: Another male scientist is in an office within a laboratory thinking back to his daughters playing in the pool while he barbeques. A dotted line appears from the pool to a bubble with a hand placing a jug of pool cleaner on a table and a green check mark appears over the kids playing in the pool.

So how can you be sure that an older pesticide that was once considered to be safe is still safe today?

Health Canada scientists use the latest scientific knowledge and procedures to re-evaluate authorized pesticides on an ongoing basis. If they're no longer safe, they will have to be changed or taken off the market all together.

Described Video: The male scientist is reading through a file folder and places it in a file box marked with a green check mark. He starts reading another file and places it into another box marked with a red X.

Narrator: Only authorized pesticides can be sold or used in Canada, and they must be used as directed.

Described Video: Four scientists are talking.

Health Canada compliance inspectors conduct regular inspections of workplaces and retailers. They make sure that only authorized products are being sold in Canada and that they are being used correctly. This can include examining documents, labels and facilities and gather samples to be tested.

Described Video: A female scientist is on a farm talking with a farmer and collecting samples.

Narrator: So, the next time you need to purchase a pest control product, read the label and look for the registration number to make sure the product is authorized for use by Health Canada.

Described Video: A female character and a toddler are in a store looking at insect repellent. A close-up of the insect repellent bottle shows the registration number on it.

Remember, all of these steps are taken to protect you, your family and the environment.

Described Video: All four of the scientists are standing on a farm.

For more information visit canada.ca/pesticides

Described Video: For more information visit canada.ca/pesticides appears on screen.