Transcript Slide 1

Pesticides in Schools
Understanding the Problems
Creating Positive Change
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
What Is A Pesticide?
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Why Should We Care?
 Children are particularly vulnerable to pesticides
 Pesticides can make school facilities unsafe
 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%
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Children are More Vulnerable
 Hand-to-mouth behavior and playing close to the ground
 Heavier exposures to environmental toxins, pound for pound,
compared to adults
 Developmental processes can be easily disrupted— “Early
windows of great vulnerability”
 Many hours spent indoors breathing air that is often 2-5x
more contaminated than outdoors
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
National Cancer Institute Statistics:
Percentage Rise in Cancer
1973-1995, Children 0-4
Percentage Increase
60
50
Brain/CNS
40
Acute Lymphoid
Leukemia
Soft Tissue
30
20
Kidney and Renal
Pelvis
10
0
Type of Cancer
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
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
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Pesticide-related Health
Threats

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.

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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
What Are You Really Spraying?
Skin, Eye
Irritation
Asthma
Birth Defects
Pesticides
Immunotoxicity
Cancer
Reproductive
Harm
Developmental
Toxicity
Disruption of
Endocrine
System
Neurological
Toxicity
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Pesticides as Asthma
Triggers

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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
What Are You Really Spraying?
 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
Courtesy of Colorado State Univ.
Cooperative Extension
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Effects on Cognition
 A groundbreaking social study between Mexican and
US universities examined Mexican preschool age
children and found:
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Effects on Cognition
Courtesy of Guillette, E., et al.
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Lingering Problems
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Environmental Factors
 The EPA has detected more than 132 pesticide-related
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
insects
beneficial
 Fish and bird kills documented
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
In Summary…
 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.
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Healthy Homes Program in Boston
Shows Less Severe Asthma with
IPM
Percentage Polled
Asthma
Rating 0-6 months After IPM
35
30
25
Very Mild
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Very Severe
20
15
10
5
0
Before IPM
After IPM
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Successful Examples
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Steps to a Successful IPM
Program
Most Important
 Adopt a School IPM Policy
Additional Steps
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls
Church,
VA | o 703-237-2249
|f 703-237-8389
| www.chej.org
Most Important: Adoption of An
IPM Policy
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
IPM Policy: 4 Key
Ingredients
Define

Create an enforceable list of pesticides that are acceptable for use in the school

List the alternative products that will replace toxic chemicals
Educate

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

Properly apply new products

Begin new cleaning/prevention strategies
Evaluate

Assess if the products are working effectively

Make changes accordingly
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Additional Steps to Make IPM A
Part of Your School
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
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
•Pest sighting log
•Artistic projects
•Articles in newsletters or papers
•Student research and presentations
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Celebrate!
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
How Do I Dispose of My
Current
Pesticide Supply?
EPA Guidelines:
 If the container is partly filled, contact your local solid waste agency.
If the container is completely empty, throw it in the trash.
 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.
 Do not pour leftover pesticides
down the sink, into the toilet, or
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Images Courtesy of UCIPM
Integrated Pest
Management
 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
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org
Questions?
P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA | o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org