The P-S Register

  Silent Spring or Sound Science: Between Alarm and Evidence on Pesticides Deck: Behind alarming headlines, regulators in Canada, the United States and the European Union weigh hazard and risk in different ways. The result is less dramatic—and more protective—than many believe. By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson , OTTAWA — October 23, 2025 Key Points Hazard is what a pesticide can do in principle; risk is the likelihood and severity of harm under real-world exposure. Most public debate confuses the two. Canada and the U.S. are predominantly risk-based: products are allowed only when use as labeled delivers a “reasonable certainty of no harm,” with large safety margins. The European Union adds hazard-based “cut-off” criteria for certain intrinsic dangers, alongside risk assessments, and applies the precautionary principle more explicitly. Across jurisdictions, protections for children, pollinators and water are built in...