What are environmental contaminants and toxic chemicals?
Synthetic chemicals are part of modern life. They originate from industrial processes, fossil fuel extraction and use, plastic production and its breakdown products, food production and processing, and from many other sources.
The short- and long-term toxicity and impacts are largely unknown. Some of these chemicals may be short-lived, and others highly persistent, or they can break down into other substances that may or may not be harmful. They are present in air, water, soil, our food and our bodies.
Impact to people and the environment
Many of these products were released into the environment before modern testing and regulation. Many of these chemicals are still used. Many non-pesticidal chemicals are either not tested or undergo very limited assessment before they’re released to the market. Pesticides are the most regulated of any synthetic chemicals, but there remain unanswered questions about their health and ecosystem impacts - particularly from real world conditions where there are often exposures to multiple chemicals.
What can we do to reduce exposure?
There are actions we can take to reduce exposure to chemicals by the products we use in everyday life including our food choices, how we clean our homes, care for our yards, by reducing plastic use and overall consumption. The resources below provide tips and resources to avoid unnecessary exposure. Visit the city’s Sustainable Yard and Pest Management webpage for practical resources to manage your grass organically, safely control rats without chemicals and more.
Ways the City reduces toxics in the environment
The City develops policies and programs with community partners to help people reduce plastics, re-use construction materials, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and care for city-owned land in ways that work with nature and reduce chemical use.
The city uses Ecological Integrated Pest Management (link to program webpage) to reduce and eliminate chemical exposures, using an ecosystem management approach that safeguards our environment and the community. A rigorous screening process is used before herbicides or other pesticides are approved for use. City staff predominantly use non-chemical land management tools. When they do apply pesticides, staff use targeted application methods to decrease the potential for exposure to people and the environment. Signs are also posted at least 24 hours in advance at the sites where pesticides are used. In addition, all herbicide and pesticide applications are provided on the dashboard below to provide advance notification to the community for any application on city properties.
