Ban on endosulfan a significant step forward

Breast Cancer Network NZ Inc Media Release – 16 December 2008

For immediate release

ERMA’s ban on the use of endosulfan a significant step forward for New Zealand women

Breast Cancer Network NZ is delighted that ERMA has decided to ban the pesticide endosulfan in New Zealand. This chemical is acutely toxic and has hormone-mimicking qualities that are of great concern to Breast Cancer Network. Early exposure of our children and young people to endocrine-disrupting compounds may play an important role in New Zealand’s high incidence of breast cancer.

Endosulfan has been used so widely that it is not only found in our food and water, but is a contaminant of animal tissues all over the world. By banning endosulfan, ERMA has taken a step towards protecting the health of our population, especially its most vulnerable members.  

Breast Cancer Network (NZ) is a nation-wide independent group of New Zealand women, most of whom have experienced breast cancer. They work towards prevention of breast cancer as well as cure, and have called on the Government to introduce a strategy towards this end which recognises the role of environmental chemicals. By reducing endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as endosulfan in the environment, there will be a better chance of reducing the incidence of breast cancer in our country, which at present has one of the highest rates in the world. 

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