According to the National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that nearly 50 million pounds of pesticides are used in schools, hospitals, homes, and workplaces each year.
National PTA pesticide page.
Even after pesticides sprayed indoors have dried, they can travel and attach to toys and other objects. The chemicals seem to have an affinity for soft plastic and plush materials. A Rutgers University study found that "the plastics and foam continued to accumulate the pesticides up to two weeks after the apartments were sprayed."
National Wildlife Federation article on Rutgers study.
In Michigan, schools must notify parents within the first month of school about their right to join a notification registry which will alert them prior to any pesticide application.
Michigan Department of Agriculture Integrated Pest Management page - scroll down to Schools/Daycare Centers Only section.
Michigan law (Regulation 637) requires that all school districts have an integrated pest management (IPM) policy in place and that any and all pest management programs consider "... all available pest management methods... and... the impact on human health and the environment..."
The School Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) was passed as part of the Farm Bill by the United States Senate on February 13, 2002 and now goes to a Senate-House Agriculture Conference Committee. SEPA requires nation wide implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) in schools. IPM capitalizes on good sanitation practices and other low- to non-toxic methods of pest control. SEPA also requires that parents be notified prior to school pesticide use; that occupied grounds not receive pesticide applications; that 24 hours pass between a pesticide application and use of treated grounds; and that signs be posted when and where pesticides have been sprayed. This is the second time the U.S. Senate has passed SEPA. Last year the U.S. Senate passed SEPA as a part of the Senate Education Bill. In November 2001, however, the U.S. House of Representatives Education Conference Committee voted to exclude SEPA from the Education Bill. SEPA lost by one vote. Michigan is one of the few states with laws that already require policies similar to those in SEPA. Beyond Pesticides Homepage.
Many governmental and educational organizations support and promote the use of integrated pest management in schools.
The sign on the left signals that pesticides have been sprayed inside a building. This sign should be placed on the front door of a treated building and is about 4 inches by 4 inches in size.
The CAUTION sign on the right is a flag that should be placed on a lawn or playing field that has recently been sprayed with pesticides.
LocalMotion has created an IPM Resource Guide for schools and concerned parents who want to learn more about integrated pest management and actions that schools can take to reduce their use of pesticides.
If you are chemically sensitive or have a medical condition that could heighten and complicate your reaction to pesticides, you may sign up to be notified about pesticide use near your residence.
Michigan Department of Agriculture: pesticide notification registration
