The Niagara Parks Commission

2,4,5-T is a herbicide that was in common use from the 1950s through the 1970s. In 1985, the federal government delisted it for use in Canada. Last March, following media reports on the past use of herbicides by The Ministry of Natural Resources and government agencies such as the former Ontario Hydro, the provincial government established a fact-finding panel to review the use of herbicide 2,4,5-T.

The Niagara Parks Commission has conducted an exhaustive search of its records on the use of 2,4,5-T. This search included reviewing NPC day logs, journals, archives, staff/retiree recollections, and spray records up to and including 1985. Spray records or day logs for the Whirlpool Golf Course could not be located.

Based on this review, NPC was able to conclude that:

• 2,4,5-T was used by NPC, primarily to eradicate poison ivy on NPC grounds.
• The last time 2,4,5-T was reported to have been sprayed in the Park was in 1974, 11 years before it was delisted by the federal government.

Health Concerns

NPC’s first concern is for the health of current and past Niagara Parks employees.  If you have any health concerns and believe that these may be related to possible exposure to this herbicide, please call the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Occupational Disease Information line at 1-800-387-0750. Press 1 for English or 2 for French, then press 1, and then 416-344-4440 to reach an agent during business hours. This extension has been specifically set up to handle inquiries relating to this matter. You can also refer to the WSIB website http://www.wsib.on.ca

Additional information

The Ministry of Natural Resources has established a web site with information about the use of 2,4,5-T in Ontario at the following address: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/About/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_082257.html

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/About/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_083174.html