Pennsylvania limits use of pesticides in schools
Click Here to Add CommentSubject: Pennsylvania limits use of pesticides in schools
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 10:21:05 -0400
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of
California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Posted on Tue, Apr. 23, 2002
Pa.
limits use of pesticides in schools
New laws require districts to cut back on their use and to
apply them when students are not around.
Inquirer Staff Writer
Gov. Schweiker has signed two laws requiring schools to sharply curtail their use of pesticides, and, in most cases, to apply them at least seven hours before children are present. The laws will take effect Jan. 1.
The legislation also requires schools to notify parents and employees at least 72 hours before any spraying, except in the case of an emergency application. Schools can choose to notify all parents, or simply those who have requested it at the beginning of the year.
Supporters hailed the measures, noting that some pesticides have been linked to asthma, nausea and cancer. Schweiker signed the legislation on Thursday.
"Our hope is that the combination [of tactics] . . . will make schools safer for kids," said Bob Wendelgass, Pennsylvania director of Clean Water Action, a national environmental group.
The legislation requires school districts to reduce pesticide use through "integrated pest management" - an approach that emphasizes preventive measures such as cleanliness and the sealing of cracks through which rodents and insects can enter. Once pests are in the building, traps are favored over spraying.
Wendelgass estimated that one in five districts in the state use this approach already, among them Philadelphia. New Jersey does not require schools to use this method, but several school districts are using it on a pilot basis, and the state also forbids spraying during school hours.
Philadelphia school officials said that they began using integrated pest management more than five years ago, and that it worked better than frequent spraying.
"I remember 15 years ago guys walking around with backpacks on their backs," recalled Philadelphia schools facilities manager Arnold Haskin. "They looked liked they were scuba divers, but it was just loaded with chemicals. It was just spraying, spraying, spraying and you couldn't spray enough."
Now the district sprays in fewer than 5 percent of cases, and the amount of pests is down, he said.
"The reports we get now are it's better than it's ever been," Haskin said.
With the city's school buildings more than 70 years old, on average, aggressive maintenance is key, Haskin said. It is important to repair water and steam leaks quickly because moisture attracts some pests, he said.
Filling holes with caulk, foam and mortar is critical, said pest control foreman Joseph Bondiskey, who has a staff of six.
Enforcement of the new laws is the responsibility of the state Department of Agriculture.
Wendelgass said that, in reality, it would be up to parents, teachers and activists to report any violations to the state.
The new laws were passed by the General Assembly and Senate earlier this month. One law calls for the notification and the seven-hour limit, and the other mandates the reduction of pesticides.
The old regulations also prevented students from entering a room within seven hours of spraying. The new law is stronger because it also prevents spraying within seven hours anywhere else in the building, even where students won't be present, unless that area has separate ventilation and is separated by a fire door. The new law also adds a similar prohibition to spraying on school grounds
Contact Tom Avril at 215-854-2430 or tavril@phillynews.com.
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