Subject: PEST CONTROL: ATTENDING SCHOOL MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov> Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read an article from THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL entitled: PEST CONTROL: ATTENDING SCHOOL MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH - Date: SUNDAY, November 5, 2000 Section: Living Page: G1 - Illustration: drawing - by Penny Wolfe - Source: By Lisa Jennings The Commercial Appeal - Edition: Final. At Bartlett High School, the pest-control contractor for Shelby County Schools sometimes uses a pesticide called Catalyst to deal with a recurring roach problem. But in Nashville schools, that insecticide wouldn't be allowed due to safety concerns. Catalyst is an organophosphate, the same category of pesticide as Dursban, which is being phased out as a potential danger to children. Though pesticides like Catalyst can be used in schools, local policy in Nashville prohibits the use of all organophosphates. Despite the differences in their approach to pest control, both school districts have what is called an "Integrated Pest Management," or IPM, plan. It's an increasingly popular concept - hailed by environmentalists - that aims to reduce children's exposure to the toxic chemicals used in pest extermination. The problem is that the interpretation of IPM varies widely. Such plans are not required in Tennessee, and many school districts find it easier to simply routinely spray for bugs the way they have for decades - despite growing concerns about the dangers of exposing children to pesticides. That's why environmental groups and parents are calling for stricter state and federal laws to better protect children from pesticides in schools. The Environmental Protection Agency lists the adverse effects of pesticide exposure as ranging from dizziness and nausea to serious, long-term neurological, developmental and reproductive disorders. And the EPA is now addressing concerns raised by scientists in recent years that chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine system, which could result in birth defects, immune suppression and other harmful effects. Pesticide exposure has been linked with a number of health problems, including childhood leukemia, soft-tissue sarcoma and brain cancer, asthma, developmental and neurological disorders, according to the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (NCAMP), a Washington-based group that advocates national standards for pesticide use in schools. Children are more vulnerable to pesticide poisoning than adults. Kids are more likely to crawl on the floor and put their fingers in their mouths. Their bodies are smaller, so it takes less toxin to have an effect. And because their bodies are still developing, exposure to certain chemicals could potentially alter development. Due to the concerns, 31 states have developed regulations to control school pesticide use. But only 20 of those address pesticide use indoors, according to NCAMP. Tennessee, for example, does not have school pesticide regulations. But there is growing interest in IPM plans among school districts, and all the major urban districts have one, including Memphis and Shelby County. Still, a 1998-99 survey showed that only 38 percent of the state's student population attended schools with IPM plans. That's a problem, said state Rep. Carol Chumney, who plans to hold hearings on the issue before the end of the year or early next year. Currently all that's required at the state level in Tennessee is that the person who applies pesticides in schools be licensed or at least under licensed supervision. In child care facilities, the only regulation limits spraying to after hours. "We need a more consistent statewide approach," said Chumney. "But we need to get more direct information about what's happening out there." A federal law in 1996 set tougher standards for new pesticide approval, forcing the EPA to evaluate the risks specifically to infants and children. By 2006, EPA must also review previously approved pesticides to make sure they meet tougher standards. But most of the pesticides on the market never have been fully tested for the range of potential human health effects, according to NCAMP. Earlier this year, the EPA announced it was banning the use of chlorpyrifos, commonly sold under the trade name Dursban and Lorsban. Both were among the most commonly used pesticides in homes and schools. The EPA determined that chlorpyrifos was dangerous to children even if used according to label directions. More than 2,300 pesticide poisonings in schools were reported between 1993 and 1996, according to a 1999 report by the U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO). But there is no nationwide reporting system for such cases, and most go unreported. Area health officials did not know of any local cases involving schools. Pediatrician Dr. John Ring said he has seen children near death from exposure to pesticides used in agriculture. Even tiny exposures can be clinically important to children, said Ring. "The big picture is (that) what happens to immune systems or cancer risk down the road is undefined," he said. "The earlier a child is exposed, the greater the risk." "All data available to us today suggest that children face hazards from pesticide use at school that are unacceptable," said a recent NCAMP report. NCAMP does not advocate banning the use of pesticides in schools. The chemicals are sometimes necessary to kill roaches, bees and spiders, which can also pose health hazards to children. It's a matter of weighing the risks. But NCAMP supports requiring certain controls in schools, such as:
For example, EPA recommends that classrooms be treated only when children are not present and that all treated surfaces be dry before students return. But that's not enough of a standard, according to the GAO report. Chemicals that are sprayed or used in foggers can fill the air and settle on desks and throughout the room. Residues can remain for days and sometimes break down to other dangerous compounds, according to NCAMP. -- Establishing IPM programs. Eighteen states define, recommend or require IPM in their state laws, according to NCAMP. "We think it's really important in these state laws that there is a strong, comprehensive definition of what IPM is," said Kagan Owens, NCAMP program director. Having an IPM plan does not mean a school district will no longer use pesticides. The goal of an IPM plan is to prevent infestation in the first place by improving sanitation and creating an environment unattractive to bugs. An IPM plan should establish that the least toxic measures be taken first. "We shouldn't be using high-hazard chemicals in school environments," said Owens. Memphis City Schools have had an IPM plan since 1994, when a group of concerned parents and activists pushed for more control over school pesticide use. The parents "were very concerned about us spraying in schools, and so were we," said Mike Frey, city schools general manager of facilities services. In Memphis schools, the eight-person in-house pest control staff use a "low spray/no spray" approach, said Frey. Most of the spraying is limited to kitchen areas, and it's done only after hours or during summer breaks. School kitchens are visited every two weeks to monitor for pest activity. Cracks and crevices are filled to remove bugs' favorite habitats. And the staff tries to rely more on baits and traps, which are less toxic. And it works, said Frey. Roaches, which are the No. 1 pest problem in Tennessee schools, are now "few and far between" in city schools, he said. Under the plan, if fields are sprayed for weed control, principals are supposed to make an announcement to keep people away from the area for 24 hours. Pest control supervisor Bill Spitznas said only the least toxic pesticides are used and only then when other measures have been exhausted. But the IPM plan does not specify approved or prohibited chemicals. Spitznas said chemicals known as synthetic pyrethroids, for example, might be used. NCAMP is opposed to school use of synthetic pyrethroids, which are a neurotoxin that could affect a child's nervous system. Dr. Peter Chyka, director of the Southern Poison Center, said synthetic pyrethroids are safer than organophosphates. "But you're not going to find a risk-free pesticide. These compounds are made to kill something," he said. Karen Vail, an entomologist who wrote state guidelines for IPM plans in schools, is opposed to listing what's OK and not OK to use. "All these things are toxic, and they need to be applied safely," said Vail, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service in Knoxville. Notification is also problematic. It's not clear what parents are supposed to do with the information, and it could be used as an excuse for students to feign illness, she said. In Shelby County schools, pest control is handled under contract by Critter Ridders. Owner John Simmons said his company practices IPM principles, as required by the contract. Sometimes it's difficult to get the school district to take necessary steps. Budget constraints sometimes prevent the filling of cracks and crevices, for example, which is a crucial preventive measure, said Simmons. In Shelby County, school officials do most of the monitoring for pests. They call Critter Ridders when there's a problem. "We don't get near the calls we used to," said Simmons. "But when we get called now, it's bad." If spraying is necessary, Simmons said crews try to do it after hours, or at least when children and staff are not in the area. "Sometimes, we have practically had to scream at them to get them out of the building," he said. Simmons, whose company used to hold the pest-control contract for city schools, says the EPA has overreacted in pulling pesticides like Dursban off the market. "What makes a product safe is how you apply it," he said. (It is against the federal law to state that even the labeled use of any "registered" POISON is "safe"!) "There's always a concern that store-bought products will be used, rather than calling a professional," Simmons added. Memphis and Shelby County school officials say there have been cases where teachers took it upon themselves to buy commercial products and use them in classrooms - though this is strictly prohibited. School officials said regulation of pesticide use in schools isn't the answer. In a more progressive school district like Memphis, "it would make our job a little harder," said Frey. There is a point where the risks associated with the bugs themselves might be worse than the risks of using a pesticide, said Dudley Akin, director of maintenance for Shelby County Schools. "I know the Health Department will shut us down if they see roaches in the kitchen, but we're not going to get shut down for using pesticides," he said. Akin worries that state regulation might tie the hands of pest-control managers. "If we couldn't use any chemicals, the roaches would just take over." To reach reporter Lisa Jennings, call 529-2378 or E-mail jennings@gomemphis.com Keywords: SHELBY CO SCHOOL HEALTH HAZARDOUS MEMPHIS TN STATISTIC ENVIRONMENT ======================================================= PART 2 FOLLOWS. ======================================================= THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL PARENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT PESTICIDES IN SCHOOLS -
Lisa Jennings Principals say parents in Memphis tend to be more
concerned about bugs than their children's exposure to pesticides. But parents who would like to know more about the
chemicals used in their children's schools simply have to ask. In Memphis City Schools, for example, principals
have records on file listing the pesticides used, when and where
treatment was made. In Shelby County, the district school office has on
file the "material safety data sheets (MSDS)," which give
label information on chemicals that contractor Critter Ridders may use
in schools. To find out more about the specifics of treatment
at particular schools, contact the district maintenance office at
752-6400. If you feel your child has suffered an adverse
reaction to the use of a pesticide, find out the name of the chemical
used and contact your doctor or the Southern Poison Center at (901)
528-6048, or (800) 288-9999 (in Tennessee only). The Pesticide Action Network also offers a helpful
database online (http://www.pesticideinfo.org). The National Coalition Against the Misuse of
Pesticides (NCAMP) offers the following list of least toxic pesticides:
For more information, call NCAMP at (202) 543-5450.
All content © 2000 THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL and may
not be republished without permission. Well Mr. Helliker, there is an old saying:
"Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your
door." I have built, researched, developed, patented, field tested
and/or written about over 1,700 safe and far more effective
(unregistered) pest control alternatives and the world is still killing
and/or injuring themselves with your "registered" POISONS.
We have safely and effectively removed all pest problems inside
and outside in over 350 schools and have never needed to use any of your
dangerous, volatile, "registered" pesticide POISONS.
When do you think it will be "legal" to use them to
actually control pest problems in California and elsewhere? |
