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Virginia—School Policies

 

STATE SCHOOL PESTICIDE LAW

I. Restricted Spray Zones Around School Property

Overview

Pesticides move off the target site when they are sprayed, whether inside or outside. When sprayed outside pesticides drift on to nearby property resulting in off target residues. Buffer zones can eliminate exposure from spray drift on to school property. As a result, states require buffer zones around schools. In order to adequately protect against drift, buffer zones should, at a minimum, be established in a 2 mile radius around the school’s property. Aerial applications should have a larger buffer zone, at least 3 miles encircling the school. Buffer zones should be in effect at all times of the day. It is especially important for spray restrictions to be in place during commuting times and while students and employees are on school grounds.

State Information

Virginia does not have any statewide requirements regarding restricted spray zones around school property.

II. Posting Notification Signs for Indoor Pesticide Applications

Overview

States use different approaches in providing school pesticide use information to parents, students and staff. Some forms include the posting of notification signs and/or the distribution of notices directly to the affected population. Posted notification signs warn those in the school when and where pesticides have been or are being applied. This is a vehicle for basic right-to-know if the posting occurs in an area where it is easily seen by parents, students and staff. It is important to post signs for indoor pesticide applications because of the extensive period of time students and school employees spend at school. Signs posted prior to commencement of the pesticide application, not after, are more protective. The prior notification system effectively enables people to take precautionary action. Because of the residues left behind after an application, signs should remain posted for at least 72 hours. It takes time for pesticides to start breaking down and some pesticide residues can least for weeks. Signs should also be posted at all main entrances of the building and the specific area sprayed, on the main bulletin board, and, for more comprehensive notification, in the school newspaper or on the daily announcements. Posted signs should state when and where a pesticide is applied, the name of the pesticide applied and how to get further information, such as a copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and the product(s) label.

State Information

The Virginia Pesticide Control Board passed a resolution that recommends schools consider posting permanent pesticide application signs at a central bulletin board and near places that receive frequent pesticide applications. The Board also recommends schools consider posting signs at the main entrance of the school or in a "visible" location at the time of a pesticide application. These recommendations do not apply to the use of pesticide gels, baits or pastes.

III. Posting Notification Signs for Outdoor Pesticide Applications

Overview

For a wider range of protection, states should require posting pesticide notification signs for outdoor pesticide applications as well. Students who play sports or people continually on the lawns represent a high risk when applications occur on school property. Dermal exposure can occur when a football player gets tackled, a soccer player slides to make a block or a student sits on the grass to eat lunch or watch a game. Inhalation exposure can occur when a player breathes in kicked up dust and dirt and pesticide residues. Even spectators at a game or passersby face inhalation exposure to pesticides that volatilize or vaporize off the treated area.

State Information

The Virginia Pesticide Control Board passed a resolution that recommends schools consider posting permanent pesticide application signs at a central bulletin board and near places that receive frequent pesticide applications. The Board also recommends schools consider posting signs at the main entrance of the school or in a "visible" location at the time of a pesticide application. These recommendations do not apply to the use of pesticide gels, baits or pastes.

IV. Prior Written Notification

Overview

Written notification of pesticide use is a good way to make sure that all parents, children and staff are aware and warned of pesticide use in the schools. Limited notification-based registries is a less effective means of notifying people and does not qualify as true right-to-know because of its limited scope. Requiring that individuals place themselves on registries, sometimes only with a doctor’s letter, afford only those who already know about toxic exposure the opportunity to be informed about pesticide use in the school. Prior notification should be 72 hours in advance to make sure the information has been received, to get further information regarding the pesticide and to make arrangements to avoid the exposure, if necessary. Notification should include the name of the pesticide(s), a summary of the pesticide's adverse health effects, the day and time, and area of the application and how to obtain a copy of the MSDS and label.

State Information

The Virginia Pesticide Control Board passed a resolution that recommends schools consider providing prior notification to all students, staff and parents. Notification can take the form of, a statement that pesticides may be applied periodically on school property during the school year, statement that pesticides may be applied in an emergency situation without prior notification and notice that pesticide product labels will be made available for review by parents, staff or students. The Board also recommends schools should consider establishing a "Pesticide Notification List" of parents guardians and staff who request prior notification of pesticide applications.

V. Prohibitions on Use

Overview

Limiting when and what pesticides are applied in and around schools is important to the reduction of pesticide exposure. Pesticides should never be applied when students or employees are in the area or may be in the area within 24 hours of the application. In reality, certain types of pesticides, such as carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, reproductive toxins, developmental toxins, neurotoxins, persistent compounds and substances, bioaccumulative compounds and substances, toxicity category 1 acutely toxic pesticides and ground water contaminants should not be used around children.

State Information

Virginia does not have any state laws restricting school pesticide use.

VI. Integrated Pest Management

Overview

A good integrated pest management (IPM) program can eliminate the unnecessary application of synthetic, volatile pesticides in schools. The main elements of a good IPM program include: 1) monitoring to establish whether there is a pest problem, 2) identifying the causes of the pest problem, 3) addressing the cause by changing conditions to prevent problems, 4) utilizing pest suppression techniques, if necessary, that are based on mechanical and biological controls and 5) only after non-toxic alternatives have been tried and exhausted, use the least toxic pesticide. An IPM policy should include a written policy guide and a prohibited and acceptable materials list. Material that could be considered after using other methods include boric acid and disodium octoborate tetrahydrate, silica gels, diatomaceous earth, insect growth regulators, insect and rodent baits in tamper resistant containers or for crack and crevice placement only, microbe-based insecticides, botanical insecticides (not including synthetic pyrethriods) without toxic synergists, and biological (living) control agents.

State Information

Virginia does not have any statewide requirements for implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). If you have any information please contact us at [email protected].

COPY OF STATE SCHOOL PESTICIDE LAW
Virginia Pesticide Control Board: Recommended procedures for posting and notification of pesticide applications

 

LOCAL SCHOOL PESTICIDE PROGRAMS

Falls Church
Fairfax County Public Schools


CONTACTS FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Center for Health, Environment and Justice
PO Box 6806
Falls Church, VA 22040
Telephone: 703-237-2249
Email: [email protected]
http://www.chej.org/

Virginia Health and Environment Project (VaHEP)

Julie Jones
P.O. Box 1434
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 242-6344
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

For more contacts to local organizations, visit our Links to Local Organizations.

 

 

For more information contact
Beyond Pesticides, 701 E Street, S.E., Suite 200, Washington, DC, 20003, [email protected]