Schools to notify parents of pesticides

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Schools to notify parents of pesticides

By SETH SLABAUGH

MUNCIE - Information on pesticides used in local schools is available to

anyone who asks. But until new policies take effect when schools reopen

late this summer, good luck understanding it.

The Star Press asked to see examples of records documenting pesticides used

in Muncie schools.

The newspaper was shown an April 4 invoice for $1,440 from Arab Termite and

Pest Control, Indianapolis, for pesticide applications at numerous Muncie

schools during February and March.

The invoice indicated, for example, the application of:

1 1/4 gal Suspend s/c 0.03% in the Muncie Fieldhouse.

6 pk Contrac, 3 gm Drax protein, 5 gm Drax sugar, 4 oz Ficam, 3 gm Outsmart

and 8 gm Maxforce in Central High School.

3/4 gal Ficam, 10 gm Outsmart and 12 gm Drax sugar in Elementary

School.

What are these products?

" To be honest, I don't know what all the names mean, " said Reiter,

director of facilities for Muncie Community Schools.

Arab's Sid Shah declined comment, citing customer confidentiality.

By the numbers

Ed White, assistant pesticide administrator for the state chemist, said he

couldn't be certain what the products were without their U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency registration numbers.

" The single most important information is the EPA registration number, "

White said. " It's like an individual's Social Security number or an

automobile's Vehicle Identification Number. We've got 13,000 to 14,000

pesticide products registered in Indiana. "

Some research by White indicated the products used in Muncie during February

and March were probably dust, spray, gel, wax, powder, syringes and bait

stations containing active ingredients such as the rodenticide bromadiolone

and insecticides such as boric acid (one of the least toxic pesticides),

hydramethylnon, fipronil and deltamethrin.

" We don't yet have the kinds of records we will be keeping this fall, "

Reiter said.

For example, he said, " As far as I can tell, the invoices do not include any

EPA registration numbers. "

When classes resume after summer vacation, schools in Muncie and many other

communities throughout the state will begin implementing policies and

regulations to prevent students from being exposed to pesticides - and

pests.

Ants, flies, yellow jackets, roaches and mice are the most common pests in

Indiana schools.

A new approach to pest control, aimed at eliminating unnecessary and routine

use of toxic pesticides, is being adopted by school districts throughout the

country in response to the threat of state and federal laws mandating they

take action.

Muncie's policy, based on a model drafted by the Indiana Pesticide Review

Board and endorsed by the Indiana School Board Association, requires at

least 2 days' advance notice of pesticide applications to parents who want

to be notified.

Other sections of Muncie's 5-page policy and regulations deal with issues

such as who can apply pesticides, when they can be applied and where they

can be stored.

The policy also requires Muncie schools to keep records containing the date

and time of pesticide applications, pests found during inspection, brand

name and active ingredient, EPA registration numbers, areas treated, the

name of the applicator and other information.

The Indiana House adopted a resolution this year calling for the state

chemist and each school to report to the Legislature no later than Dec. 1 on

progress toward adoption of policies to protect kids from pesticides.

This week the U.S. Senate adopted a bill known as the School Environment

Protection Act to promote safer pest management practices in schools.

Integrated management

Traditionally, Indiana schools hire contractors to show up monthly and spray

for " whatever ails you, " regardless of whether pests are present, said Dave

, pesticide administrator for the state chemist.

" Now, schools will probably start looking more critically at what

contractors do, " said. " I think schools will ask contractors to help

them inspect and tell them if they have a pest problem, and if so, how to

focus the treatments.

" That will take as much or more time, to stop and look and ask questions and

talk to folks, as opposed to walking in at the appointed time and spraying

the baseboards. "

State officials, besides providing model policies, are offering pest control

education to local schools, such as a recent regional workshop at Northside

Middle School.

Through Purdue University, the state also has created a technical resource

center and a web site for integrated pest management for schools.

By eliminating potential food, water and living space for pests, and sealing

up entry routes into buildings, integrated pest management strategies reduce

the need for pesticides, according to the center.

Pesticides are used only when a confirmed pest problem is present, and the

least hazardous pesticides are applied in targeted areas not accessible to

children.

A national group known as Beyond Pesticides/National Coalition Against the

Misuse of Pesticides has been pushing for integrated pest management,

pesticide bans in schools and notification programs for years, said.

According to the coalition, the pesticide lobby has tried to convince

schools that pesticides pose no risk to the health of children, that without

pesticides pests pose a serious health risk to children, that pesticides are

extensively tested and regulated, and that parental notification is a scare

tactic by environmentalists.

Ron Craig, coordinator of buildings and grounds at Jay Schools, summed up a

growing attitude toward pest control in schools.

Though his school corporation hasn't officially adopted a pesticide policy,

the unofficial policy is, " We don't want pests nor do we want pesticides in

our buildings, " Craig said.