February 2024
This 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 day (04 February) take a little time to pause & contemplate the precious time lost to a person diagnosed with cancer & to their families and how their lives will be impacted...forever.
If adults fear cancer, how do you think children feel, being told they have cancer ...?
With not many of us untouched by cancer , we are proud to say that the community of Balerno have been taking proactive steps since 2020 to rid our community streets of the well known cancerous chemical Glyphosate -which was used by the council simply to treat the street weeds !
Balerno have been using manual methods to remove the weeds whilst awaiting the introduction of safe alternatives like foamstream/hot water from the council. Safe alternatives are already used successfully around the U.K.
Glyphosate is the main ingredient in most weedkillers used by U.K. councils Edinburgh council are aware of its harmful nature and have been discussing this issue since 2016 when WHO announced the chemical was a probable carcinogen . Glyphosate has attracted much media attention over recent years , following several high-profile legal cases
Pesticides can cause harmful effects on our health over an extended period, usually following repeated or continuous exposure even at low levels. Low doses don’t always cause immediate effects, but over time, they can accumulate and can contribute to cause very serious illnesses just like cancer.
Long term pesticide exposure has been linked to the development of Parkinson’s, asthma, allergies, respiratory problems, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and cancer, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Vulnerable members of society are particularly susceptible to pesticide exposure, babies, children, those pregnant/nursing mothers, the disabled, those susceptible to chemicals, chronically ill, and the elderly.
Governments, local councils, schools, and companies across the world are more and more taking proactive changes away from the unnecessary use of pesticides in our public spaces to treat weeds.
We can congratulate ourselves here in Balerno for our community being progressively Streets Ahead!!