Government
Open Letter to all MPPs
Open letter to all Members of Provincial Parliament
As you are no doubt aware the ACPO has been seeking licensure for chemists in Ontario for the last fifteen years since obtaining the right to title for the profession in 1984 (Pr. Bill 9). Recently, a bill has been introduced to licence geoscientists and, according to the Minister in charge, the bill's intention is to "protect the investors in Ontario" from potential financial harm. This is indeed a valuable goal, but it can become an even better one if the focus of the legislation is also directed towards the protection of ordinary citizens. Most people may not have large sums of money to invest, but they do care deeply about the safeguarding of life, health, property, and the public welfare in general.
And who better than a professional chemist to ensure that these values are well looked after? Who better indeed?
You will find below the major areas in Ontario where professional chemists are involved.- Who tests your Drinking Water?
Chemists are responsible for developing analytical tests and setting acceptable standards to ensure that drinking water is free from harmful contaminants. - Who tests your food for the presence of bacterial and harmful contaminants?
Most foodstuffs are analyzed to establish their purity. Chemists, who also develop and improve test procedures, do this work. - Who carries out blood and urine analysis?
Clinical Chemists have the responsibility to analyze blood and urine as a means of detection of health problems. - Who conducts mineral assays?
Remember Bre-X? If unqualified, inexperienced personnel, who are not governed by a code of ethics, carry out mineral analysis, there is a risk of error or fraud, which can be costly to the investing public. Mineral assays are carried out in laboratories by chemists who not only test, but also develop the methods of analysis. The Chair of the Toronto Stock Exchange wrote to the Attorney General in 1997 recommending specifically the licensure of chemists. - Who formulates and tests pesticides and herbicides?
Chemists carry out the formulation and compliance testing of these valuable tools for agriculture and horticulture. Irresponsible development and use of some pesticides and herbicides has lead to environmental catastrophes. - Who does soil analysis for site remediation?
Even if engineers are involved in site remediation, it is the chemist who does the soil testing, and who has specific knowledge concerning sampling procedures and interpretations of test results. - Who is responsible for product stewardship in the chemical industry?
The chemical industry in Canada has been pro-active in proposing that no chemicals or chemical products should be produced commercially unless there is a plan for their ultimate safe disposal. Chemists employed by the chemical industry are the people who have the skill, and knowledge to ensure that chemicals introduced to the market place will not result in long term environmental problems. - Who formulates rubber, plastics and coatings products?
Chemists are responsible for the formulation of products produced by these industries, and also have a responsibility to the employees for the safety of the in-plant environment. - Who is responsible for air, soil and water testing?
The air you breathe, the water you drink, and the soil which nurtures crop and livestock growth has to be tested to ensure that no hazardous contaminants are present. This work is the responsibility of the chemist. - Who develops genetically modified crops?
Genetic modifications of vegetables and other agricultural produce have raised many questions. Chemists are involved in this development work and should be self regulated in the interests of public well being. - Who develops explosives?
These potentially harmful chemicals are very important to the mining industry, construction and highway industries and also the military. Chemists, who also make recommendations for safe handling and disposal, carry out development of these materials. - Who conducts drug and drug metabolites testing?
Chemical analysts may be involved in developing test procedures and testing for the presence of drugs. Errors in these tests, producing false negative or false positive results, can cause irreparable harm to individuals and the public. In athletics and in horse racing "dope testing" protects the integrity of the sport. - Who develops food additives?
Food chemistry is an important contributor to the nutrition of the public. Chemists develop coloring agents, preservatives and flavours, which are safe for food use. - Who protects the public from wrongful incarceration?
DNA testing, developed and applied by chemists has resulted in several innocent people being released from prison. Chemists are also involved in forensic science. - Who develops protective materials?
Fire retardant coatings for clothing and Kevlar for bulletproof vests are products of a viable chemical industry, which contribute to the safety of the public. Fire extinguishing materials are also developed and improved by the chemical profession. All new material is the result of chemical research. - Who develops and tests pharmaceuticals?
The pharmaceutical industry is a large contributor to the Ontario economy. All of the products of this industry are the result of the knowledge and skill of chemists. - Who oversees the disposal of hazardous chemicals?
Unfortunately it is not always a chemist who dictates where chemicals will be dumped when no longer required. Hazardous materials, such as poisons, toxins, flammable solvents, heavy metals, and nuclear waste need special handling and disposal and this should be done and supervised by regulated chemists in a licensed profession. - Who has the knowledge to predict the by-products, which would be produced in a chemical plant fire?
The Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario has been working on a task force with the Fire Marshal’s office to undertake this task, which should be part of the fire planning procedures of all premises where bulk chemicals are stored.
The foregoing points illustrate the value of the Chemist in protecting the public. Currently anyone in Ontario, regardless of qualifications, training or experience can practise the profession of chemistry without regard to the consequences. Licensure is needed to protect the public. The Association of the Chemical Profession in Ontario already has in place a rigid accreditation process to examine qualifications of its members, and also has a code of ethics and a disciplinary committee.
Your ideas as to how the licensure of Chemists can be included in the current legislation would be much appreciated.
Best regards,ACPO President and Council of the association