Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why do parents have a right to know?

A. It is amazing that most schools require written parental consent for school personnel to give our kids an aspirin, but can expose our kids to dangerous chemicals without even notifying us. Notices are invaluable to parents with children who have asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities, allowing parents to take precautions to protect their children’s health. Notices also allow parents to identify possible causes of “mystery” health problems that might arise after pesticide use.

Q. Why are children more vulnerable to dangerous chemicals and other toxins?

A. Children drink more, eat more, and breathe more per pound of body weight; consequently, they have an increased chance of exposure to dangerous chemicals and other toxins in the air and water, and they absorb a greater proportion of many pollutants from the intestines and the lungs. Children are also smaller and closer to the ground, play in the dirt, handle more objects, and put their hands and objects in their mouths more often than adults do. Children’s bodies are still developing and, thus, are more susceptible to major damage, even from seemingly insignificant exposure to toxins. Proper development of children’s immune system, nervous system, lungs, and reproductive organs is easily disrupted, and toxic exposure during brain development can prevent the brain from developing and functioning properly.

Q. What are the dangers to children?

A. Based on documented incidents, children and school staff have commonly experienced difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, dizziness, eye irritation, headaches, nausea, skin irritation, rashes, and sore throat after exposure to dangerous chemicals at school. Pesticides are suspected to have caused or been a factor in cases of neurological damage and even death. Studies show that children living in households where pesticides are used suffer elevated rates of leukemia and brain cancer. The National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides has compiled scientific reports showing that, of 48 commonly-used pesticides in schools, 22 are probable or possible carcinogens, 26 have been shown to cause reproductive effects, 31 damage the nervous system, 31 injure the liver or kidneys, 41 are irritants, and 16 can cause birth defects.

Q. Why should records be kept of what dangerous chemicals are used?

A. Few states currently require schools to keep records of what pesticides or other dangerous chemicals are used. In some states, if certified applicators are used, they are required to keep records of the pesticides used, but those records can be difficult to obtain. Proper diagnosis and treatment of any dangerous chemical exposure may be dependent on the availability of information about the history of exposure and what chemicals were used.

Q. Do schools have alternatives to using dangerous pesticides?

A. Yes. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses a combination of common sense along with natural and least-toxic controls to minimize or even eliminate pesticide use in schools. Most IPM plans do not allow the use of pesticides unless pests are present. Most IPM plans prohibit the use of the more dangerous pesticides and others encourage the use of non-chemical alternatives. Dade County, Florida – the fourth largest school system in the United States – has implemented an IPM program with the goal of eliminating all pesticide use in its public schools. The development of IPM plans also encourages parents, teachers, and other school staff to participate in policy decisions regarding pest management. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that one of its “highest priorities is protecting children’s health from unnecessary exposure to pesticides that are used in their schools to control pests. EPA is encouraging school officials to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to reduce children’s exposure to pesticides.”