VICTORY FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH!

Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Act Passes Legislature

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VICTORY FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH!

Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Act Passes Legislature

The Washington State Legislature has moved to protect children's environmental health by passing the Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Act, SSB 5533. The Act requires that school districts post notices warning students and staff whenever pesticides are used in and around schools, and provide advance notification to interested parents.

The Toxics Coalition has been seeking advanced notification of parents when pesticides are used in schools for a number of years. While the Act as passed does not go as far as we had hoped, it is a significant step forward in giving parents the information they need to protect their children.

The bill's key provisions include:
o posting of notices indoors when pesticides are used (currently, none are required)
o improvement of notices posted outdoors
o establishment of a system to give advanced notice to interested parents
o requirement for schools to publish an annual report of their pesticide use

Many thanks to the hundreds of Toxics Coalition members and others that have worked to pass this legislation by contacting their legislators and attending hearings. WashPIRG, the Lutheran Public Policy Office, Washington Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters, and Washington State PTA all worked hard for the bill's passage.

Rep. Mike Cooper (D-21) and Sen. Tracey Eide (D-30) were the prime sponsors of the legislation. Rep. Cooper said, "Pesticides can cause cancer and other serious health problems. This is a really important step that will let parents to know what their children are being exposed to at school."

"This bill ensures that parents know when their children will be exposed to pesticides," said Sen. Eide. "In the past, many parents simply didn't know when these chemicals, which can be very harmful to children, were being used. Now, parents will be fully notified in advance so they can make informed decisions for their kids."

Because the bill provides parents with a fundamental right-to-know about school environments, it received bipartisan support. Supporters included the co-chairpersons of the House Agriculture and Ecology Committee, Rep. Gary Chandler (R-13) and Rep. Kelli Linville (D-42), as well as Rep. John Pennington (R-18).

Currently, no posting is required when pesticides are applied inside school buildings, and signs posted for outdoor spraying state only that the area has been "treated." Signs will now clearly state that pesticides have been used. In addition, school districts will prepare an annual report clearly summarizing their pesticide use.

The bill now goes to the Governor's desk for signature. If signed, its provisions go into effect July 1, 2002, in time for the 2002/03 school year.

Erika Schreder, M.S.
Staff Scientist
Washington Toxics Coalition
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Suite 540-East
Seattle, WA 98103
(206)632-1545 ext 19 phone
(206)632-8661 FAX
http://www.watoxics.org
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The Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting public health and preventing pollution in industry, agriculture, and the home. WTC's work is supported in part by dues from our members. If you are not already a member, please consider joining! Our dues are $30 per year, $15 limited income. Members receive our quarterly newsletter "Alternatives" as well as periodic action alerts.

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