Insecticide used in Winnipeg 'probably' cancer-causing: WHO

Monday, March 23, 2015, 2:24 PM - The city of Winnipeg is evaluating the use of a particular insecticide after a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer says it potentially causes cancer.

Winnipeg uses the pesticide malathion to kill adult mosquitos, but a report released Friday by the IARC, an arm of the World Health organization, says the substance is "probably carcinogenic to humans."

"There is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate cancer," the report reads. "The evidence in humans is from studies of exposures, mostly agricultural, in the USA, Canada, and Sweden published since 2001. Malathion also caused tumours in rodent studies."

The use of malathion to control mosquito populations has been controversial in the city, with opinions divided between those who don't want the agent sprayed near their homes, and those who want lower mosquito numbers in the summer.

Last year, the city's former chief medical officer of health said the insecticide's harmful effects would be kept relatively low if it is properly used.

A spokeswoman for the city told the Winnipeg Free Press this weekend that they would be taking a look at the WHO report.

"The City of Winnipeg public service will be reviewing the WHO report in consultation with Health Canada, which licenses and regulates the use of malathion by municipalities," spokeswoman Michelle Finley said.

The IARC's report also lists the herbicide glyphosate and insecticide diazinon as probably carcinogenic to humans.

SOURCE: IARC | Winnipeg Free Press | CBC

WATCH BELOW: Why do mosquitos seem to LOVE you?