Anti-pesticide campaigners in Richmond are hoping to bolster their numbers by screening a documentary that exposes pesticide use.

And the group, Richmond Pesticide Awareness Coalition (RPAC), intend to make a civic election issue out of its intended goal to have the use of cosmetic pesticides banned in the city.

The coalition has been pressing since earlier this summer for a ban on cosmetic pesticide use.

Next Tuesday, Oct. 21, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Ralph Fisher Auditorium in Richmond Hospital it's hosting a showing of the film The World According to Monsanto, in reference to a company that produces many commonly-used pesticides.

After the screening, the coalition will encourage discussion from the audience about pesticide use generally and then more specifically about its cosmetic use in Richmond.

"We hope, again, to raise the public's awareness about this issue," Michelle Li, RPAC chair, said.

"Monsanto makes a pesticide called Roundup, which is used by the city and many landscapers.

"This is a free event and we're expecting a big turnout."

With a civic election being held next month the coalition aims to focus its attention on council and mayoral candidates.

"We will be at as many of the all-candidates meetings as possible and we will be making this an election issue, for sure."

Cosmetic pesticides are substances that are intended to kill or control weeds, insects, fungi or pests.