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Children and Schools 
Children's Health and Pesticides
Children face
unique hazards from pesticide exposure. They take in more pesticides
relative to their body weight than adults in the food they eat and
air they breathe. Their developing organ systems often make them more
sensitive to toxic exposure. The U.S. EPA, National Academy of Sciences,
and American Public Health Association, among others, have voiced
concerns about the danger that pesticides pose to children. The body
of evidence in scientific literature shows that pesticide exposure
can adversely affect a child's neurological, respiratory, immune,
and endocrine system, even at low levels. Several pesticides, such
as pyrethrins and pyrethroids, organophosphates and carbamates, are
also known to cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms.See Select
Studies on Pesticides and Children's Health.
Healthy Schools
The
Schooling of State Pesticide Laws - 2010 Update, examines
the patchwork of state school pesticide laws showing the need for a
federal law.
Beyond Pesticides' Healthy Schools Project aims to minimize and eliminate the
risks posed by pesticides through the adoption of school pest management
policies and programs at the local, state, and federal level, thereby
creating a healthier learning environment. Central to this effort
are activities aimed at public education on pesticide hazards and
efficacy of alternatives, and the continued development of model communities
that serve as examples.
Recognizing a
growing concern of school administrators, staff and parents regarding
the mounting evidence that pesticides pose a public health hazard
and a consequent commitment to non-toxic options, the implementation
of safer pest management practices by 27 school districts and schools
in 19 states are documented in Safer
Schools: Achieving a Healthy Learning Environment Through Integrated
Pest Management, a report by the School
Pesticide Reform Coalition and Beyond Pesticides. Written by a
broad group of individuals representing advocacy groups, state agencies,
pest control companies, and school staff, the report leverages schools,
states, and the federal government to adopt safer pest management
programs for schools and communities.
Safer
Schools provides comprehensive details of an integrated pest management
(IPM) program by: (1) explaining what an IPM program is and why it is
necessary; (2) highlighting 27 school districts and individual school
IPM policies and programs; and, (3) outlining the basic steps to getting
a school IPM program adopted. The report also includes a list of organizations,
pest management companies, and government and school contacts that can
provide a wealth of information on adopting a school IPM policy and
its implementation; a list of states and schools that have an IPM/pesticide
policy; and, a pest prevention strategies checklist.
Whether it is
advocating for the the adoption of the School
Environment Protection Act (SEPA) or local
and state policies, having examples of existing and economically
feasible programs is critical.
For more information,
see the latest
news on children's health and pesticide use in schools, information
on childhood asthma, current state/local policies, model
policies to pass in your community, information on school integrated
pest management and the School
Pesticide Reform Coalition. See also alerts, media (PSAs and press releases), publications (reports, factsheets and more), and resources.
Take Action
Support the School
Environment Protection Act (SEPA) of 2012. Federal legislation is needed to protect children from toxic pesticides used in and around schools.
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