Transcript Pesticides in Schools - Center for Health, Environment

Pesticides in Schools
Understanding the Problems
Creating Positive Change
What Is A Pesticide?
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A chemical agent used to
kill insects, rodents,
molds/fungi, plants
Fungicides, herbicides,
insecticides, rodenticides
Pesticides are
created to be toxic.
Image Courtesy of Purdue University
Why Should We Care?
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Children are particularly vulnerable to pesticides
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Pesticides can make school facilities unsafe
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Pesticides create adverse environmental effects – air and
water
2005 study published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association documents widespread pesticide use
and poisoning in schools—Classrooms, cafeterias,
playgrounds, playing fields, and school lawns
Integrated Pest Management can improve health and cut
costs by 30%
Why Should We Care?
Caring for the Earth is a Moral Imperative.
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God made the earth and is its rightful,
ultimate owner.
God creates, sustains and
values life.
Why Should We Care?
We are stewards.
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Humanity is an “embedded
steward” called by God to
care for the creation of which
we are a part.
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People grow spiritually
through mindful consumption.
Courtesy of Luther Seminary
Children are More Vulnerable
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Hand-to-mouth behavior and playing close to the
ground
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Heavier exposures to environmental toxins, pound
for pound, compared to adults
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Developmental processes can be easily disrupted—
“Early windows of great vulnerability”
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Many hours spent indoors breathing air that is often
2-5x more contaminated than outdoors
National Cancer Institute Statistics:
Percentage Rise in Cancer
1973-1995, Children 0-4
60
Percentage
Increase
50
Brain/CNS
40
Acute Lymphoid
Leukemia
Soft Tissue
30
20
Kidney and Renal
Pelvis
10
0
Type of Cancer
National Cancer Institute Statistics:
Percentage Rise in Cancer
1973-1995, Teenagers 15-19
Percentage
Increase
140
120
Ovarian
100
non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma
Testicular
80
60
Bone and Joint
40
Thyroid
20
0
Type of Cancer
Pesticide-related Health Threats
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Pesticides can be asthma triggers. Nationwide 1 in 13
children have asthma, and a study at UMDNJ found
that 1 in 8 children in New Jersey have it. Asthma is the
primary factor for school absenteeism and hospital
admission among chronic conditions.
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Pesticides can increase childhood learning disabilities
and hyperactive behavior
“Overall evidence strongly suggests that a poor
environment in schools, due primarily to effects
of indoor pollutants, adversely influences the
health, performance, and attendance of students”
–US Department of Education report, 2004
What Are You Really Spraying?
Skin, Eye
Irritation
Birth Defects
Asthma
Pesticides
Immunotoxicity
Cancer
Reproductive
Harm
Developmental
Toxicity
Disruption of
Endocrine
System
Neurological
Toxicity
Pesticides as Asthma Triggers
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Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health have shown that pesticides cause the airway to
contract and restrain airflow
Pesticides can also trigger asthma attacks by directly
damaging cells that line the lungs
Landmark 2004 study published in the Environmental
Health Perspectives journal found children exposed to
herbicides during their first year of life are 4.5 times more
likely to get asthma before the age of five
For example: Glyphosate, also known as
Roundup has been linked to pneumonia
and damage to the upper respiratory tract
Image Courtesy of HealthyTexas.org
What Are You Really Spraying?
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The National Institute for Medical Research in France found
children exposed in the womb or during early childhood to
household pesticides are 2X as likely to get leukemia
A University of North Dakota study found pesticide exposure
connected to lower IQ
Hyperactivity: Some commonly used pesticides
cause lifelong hyperactivity in rats if
administered on a critical day of development
Of the 48 most commonly used
pesticides in schools, the US EPA classifies 22
as possible or probable
carcinogens!
Courtesy of Colorado State Univ. Cooperative
Extension
Effects on Cognition
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A groundbreaking social study
between Mexican and US
universities examined Mexican
preschool age children and found:
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Children exposed to pesticides had
cognition problems as compared to
those without exposure
Pesticide exposure connected to
impaired stamina, motor coordination,
memory and drawing ability, as well as
differences in play behavior
Effects on Cognition
Courtesy of Guillette, E., et al.
Lingering Problems
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One study showed a
single spraying of
chlorpyrifos remained
on surfaces for 2 weeks
2,4-D can be tracked
from lawns into
facilities, and estimates
show it can stay in
carpet for up to one year
Image Courtesy of Project Clean Water
Environmental Factors
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The EPA has detected more than 132 pesticiderelated compounds in ground water
Recent studies of major rivers and streams
documented that 96% of all fish, 100% of all
surface water samples and 33% of major aquifers
contained one or more pesticides at detectable
levels
Reproductive problems in wildlife
Potential cause of increasing amphibian declines
and deformities
Decline of pollinator and other
beneficial insects
Fish and bird kills documented
In Summary…
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Pests are not the only ones affected
Pesticides are designed to be toxic.
Pesticides are linked to various health
ailments and environmental problems
The good news:
safer alternatives exist.
What is Integrated Pest
Management (IPM)?
A proven alternative to pesticide use
 Prevention is Key
 Eliminate the Cause, Not the Symptom
 Least Toxic Pesticides Are the Last Option
Healthy Homes Program in Boston
Shows Less Severe Asthma with IPM
Asthma Rating 0-6 months After IPM
35
Percentage Polled
30
25
Very Mild
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Very Severe
20
15
10
5
0
Before IPM
After IPM
Successful Examples
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Cape May County, NJ: In 1992 routine applications
of pesticides were permanently discontinued. When
chemicals are deemed necessary, an entomologist
determines the least toxic option. Cumulative
savings to date amount to $44,551!
Monroe County, Indiana achieved a 92 percent
reduction in pesticide use, enabling them to also
direct their cost savings to hire a district-wide
coordinator to oversee pest management in the
schools.
-- Monroe County Community Schools Corporation,
Indiana
Steps to a Successful IPM
Program
Most Important
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Adopt a School IPM Policy
Additional Steps
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Notification of school community when
pesticides are used
Provide Resources to school community
about the pesticides used
Record pesticide usage in a log
Maintain Right-to-Know for parents about
pesticide policy and actions
Celebrate your success
Most Important: Adoption of An
IPM Policy
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Explain the reasons for and
objectives of the policy
Outline requirements for elimination
of pesticides
Present guidelines for handling pests
Communicate these ideas to the
school community
IPM Policy: 4 Key Ingredients
Define
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Create an enforceable list of pesticides that are acceptable for use in the
school
List the alternative products that will replace toxic chemicals
Educate
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CHEJ/GreenFaith can train the IPM coordinator and facilities
maintenance personnel about the new guidelines
Provide an educational assembly for the school community on IPM and
the purpose and content of the policy
Implement
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Properly apply new products
Begin new cleaning/prevention strategies
Evaluate
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Assess if the products are working effectively
Make changes accordingly
Additional Steps to Make IPM A
Part of Your School
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Notification: 72 hour notification to
community if pesticides are to be used,
via signs and letters
Provide Resources: Provide resources to
parents explaining health and toxicity
information of pesticides used
Record: Accurate record keeping helps
to identify problems and treat them
with minimal chemical usage
Maintain Right-to-Know: Annual
distribution of IPM policy and pesticide
usage to parents
Students Can Get Involved!
There is a tremendous opportunity to
make IPM a part of any school’s
curriculum
Dr. Daniel A. Suomi, Pest Control Operator Specialist,
WSDA
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Pest sighting log
Artistic projects
Articles in newsletters or papers
Student research and presentations
Celebrate!
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Communicate your
successes to the entire
school community
Publicize in local media to
lead others schools by
example
Welcome visitors to your
school to showcase your
success
How Do I Dispose of My Current
Pesticide Supply?
EPA Guidelines:
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If the container is partly filled, contact your local solid waste agency. If the
container is completely empty, throw it in the trash.
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To identify your local solid waste agency, look in the government section of
your phone book under categories such as solid waste, public works, or
garbage, trash, or refuse collection or you can call 1-800-CLEANUP.
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Do not pour leftover pesticides down the sink, into the toilet, or down a
sewer or street drain. Pesticides may interfere with the operation of
wastewater treatment systems or pollute waterways. Many municipal
systems are not equipped to remove all pesticide residues.
Images Courtesy of UCIPM
Integrated Pest Management
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A proven alternative to pesticide use
Prevention of the cause rather than
treatment of the symptoms
Improves indoor air quality, saves
money, and is just as effective as
pesticide usage!
IPM: Stewardship of creation
and the future of your
students
You Have The Power To Make A
Difference
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“The designer and maker of the earth
established the earth, not creating it to
be a waste, but designing it to be lived
in.”
Isaiah 45:18
Questions?