We know the toll toxic substances can take. Science has helped us to establish those and other facts over time. Scientific research conducted in the 1980's showing the harmful effects of even small amounts of lead on human health and especially children, preceded banning the use of lead in gasoline. Scientists in the 1970's and 80's showed the devastating effects PCBs had on the reproduction of the Herring Gulls. This research contributed to the eventual prohibition of of these compounds.
Sound science is at the heart of Canada's strategy to deal with toxic substances.
We are proving this through the Canadian Environmental Protection Act now before Parliament. Bill C-32 is on the leading edge of environmental protection and legislation worldwide. This new Act, for example, stipulates that further research into the effects of endocrine disrupting chemical substances on wildlife and humans must be undertaken in order to fully understand their effects and to determine the measures which must be taken in order to ensure the health of Canadians. Under the new CEPA, a streamlined predictable process will be put in place to speed up the development of control actions on substances declared toxic under the Act. There is still much to learn on toxics, the environment and health.