Western Canada Wilderness Committee

Co-published with the Labour Environmental Alliance Society, this paper looks at the effects on human health and the marine environment of some of the most common toxins used in Canada. It also proposes some of the key actions that are needed to turn the tide on toxins.

Bio-accumulation: The general term for the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in organisms.

Carcinogen: A toxic substance that can cause cancer.

Endocrine Disruptor: A synthetic chemical that mimics or blocks hormones and disrupts the body's normal functions.

E-waste: Electronic waste such as discarded computers and cell phones.

PBDEs: Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers are highly toxic chemicals frequently added to foams and plastics as a fire retardant.

Persistent Pollutant: A toxin, such as mercury, that doesn't break down readily in the environment.

Reproductive Toxins: Substances that negatively affect reproductive capacity.