Pesticides in Schools

1. Pesticides in Schools Understanding the Problems Creating Positive Change

2. 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

3. 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%

4. Why Should We Care? Caring for the Earth is a Moral Imperative. • God made the earth and is its rightful, ultimate owner. • God creates, sustains and values life.

5. Why Should We Care? We are stewards. • Humanity is an “embedded steward” called by God to care for the creation of which we are a part. • People grow spiritually through mindful consumption. Courtesy of Luther Seminary

6. 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

7. National Cancer Institute Statistics: Percentage Rise in Cancer1973-1995, Children 0-4 PercentageIncrease Type of Cancer

8. National Cancer Institute Statistics: Percentage Rise in Cancer1973-1995, Teenagers 15-19 PercentageIncrease Type of Cancer

9. Pesticide-related Health Threats • Pesticides can be asthma triggers. Nationwide1 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

10. What Are You Really Spraying?

11. 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

12. 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 • Of the 48 most commonly used pesticides in schools, the US EPA classifies 22 as possible or probable carcinogens! Courtesy of Colorado State Univ. Cooperative Extension

13. 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

14. Effects on Cognition Courtesy of Guillette, E., et al.

15. 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

16. 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 beneficial insects • Fish and bird kills documented

17. 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.

18. What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? • A proven alternative to pesticide use • Prevention is Key • Eliminate the Cause, Not the Symptom • Least ToxicPesticides Are the Last Option

19. Healthy Homes Program in Boston Shows Less Severe Asthma with IPM Asthma Rating 0-6 months After IPM Percentage Polled

20. 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

21. 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 • MaintainRight-to-Know for parents about pesticide policy and actions • Celebrate your success

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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 down a sewer or street drain. Pesticides may interfere with the operation of wastewater treatment systems or pollute waterways. Many municipal systems are not equipped to remove all pesticide residues. Images Courtesy of UCIPM

28. 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

29. You Have The Power To Make A Difference • “The designer and maker of the earth established the earth, not creating it to be a waste, but designing it to be lived in.”  Isaiah 45:18

30. Questions?