|
Recommendations
Environment and Human Health, Inc. investigated the use of pesticides
in Connecticut schools. We found that many children are exposed to
pesticides at school. We recommend that the following steps be taken
to reduce pesticide exposures at school.
- A statewide program of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should
be adopted, with the goal of reducing or eliminating children’s
exposure to pesticides at school. IPM educational materials and workshops
with hands-on experience should be offered to school personnel, including
those responsible for the maintenance of the athletic fields.
- At the beginning of each school year, parents, guardians and school
personnel should be notified of the school’s pest control policy.
- Notification of parents, guardians and school personnel should
take place before pesticides are used in schools.
- Only trained and certified applicators should spray pesticides
in and on school grounds.
- A copy of the record of each pesticide application, including
date, location, name of chemical used, and the material safety data
sheet, should be kept in the school nurse’s office or, if there
is no school nurse, in an office designated by the school principal.
- Warning labels should be posted around the treated areas of the
school.
- Schools should not be treated with pesticides while school is in
session.
- Schools should never use pesticides for merely aesthetic reasons,
such as on their playing fields.
|
