Schools Around Here Using Them Regularly (Pesticides) - Some Can Have Adverse Health Effects

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SCHOOLS AROUND HERE USING THEM REGULARLY - SOME CAN HAVE ADVERSE HEALTH

EFFECTS

Wisconsin State Journal

10-15-1998

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A number of pesticides that can have adverse health effects are used

regularly in area public schools, according to an analysis of a survey by

the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Many south-central Wisconsin schools reported using pesticides such as

Roundup, 2,4-D, and Trimec, according to the survey results, which were

analyzed by the Wisconsin State Journal. These pesticides and a number of

others for controlling insects or weeds have toxic health effects that range

from mild to acute and some, such as 2,4- D, contain ingredients that are

suspected carcinogens.

Although the department conducted the survey earlier this year, the names of

schools that responded were withheld until a lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin

Environmental Decade forced their release two weeks ago. The state has said

it will release specific data on private schools later.

The survey results show what pesticides are used in the responding schools.

But gaps in the results show how little is known about pesticide use in the

state's schools.

The survey, the first of its kind, was voluntary. And schools aren' t

required to report their pesticide usage to the state. The state only

requires that certified pesticide applicators keep such records. As a

result, the state knows more about the application of pesticides on farms

and golf courses than it does on school property.

Some districts, including the Madison School District, have drastically

reduced their use of pesticides, according to the survey, and others use

amounts that pose little danger. And the department, in releasing the

survey, said it ``has no information suggesting that Wisconsin school

children or staff face a significant risk due to pesticide use in and around

schools.''

Completed surveys were returned by only 36 percent of the state' s 2,071

public schools and only 20 percent of the 188 private schools in Wisconsin.

In Dane County, for example, the Madison and Belleville school districts

were the only public school districts that responded to the survey.

And information supplied by schools that did respond -- information such as

frequency of pesticide application and amounts applied -- is often sketchy.

The survey was undertaken by the state agency after hearings earlier this

year on proposed changes to the state's pesticide rules. Several people who

spoke at those hearings asked that pesticides in schools be either banned or

more strictly controlled. But agency officials said not enough information

about pesticide use in schools was available to make such a decision.

Despite schools' poor response to the survey and gaps in the information

they provided, the state agency is moving ahead with plans to ask schools to

implement voluntary programs to reduce their pesticide use.

A committee formed to study the issue and come up with a voluntary program

met for the first time in Madison this week. Ed Bergman, a supervisor with

the Agricultural Chemical Management Bureau who is working with the

committee, said he expects a recommendation from the group by the end of the

year.

But Pam Porter, executive director of the Wisconsin Environmental Decade,

said the state will be making a mistake if it goes with a voluntary instead

of a mandatory program.

``Our position,'' Porter said, ``has always been that pesticide exposure in

schools is a problem. And that the data is alarming

All children should be protected.''

Bergman said the department is convinced a voluntary program will be more

successful.

``Our position right now is that we'd like to see it be voluntary, ''

Bergman said. ``If you go out there and say `Thou shall not use, ' in some

of our minds, it would probably get no attention.

``The reality is there is some pesticide use in schools and there are ways

to control pests short of saying, `Don't use pesticides.' '' According to

the survey results, 79 percent of the schools where the staff applies

pesticides reported that they keep no record of pesticide applications.

Bergman said that while training and record-keeping are likely to be part of

the recommendations from the committee, it is unlikely that either will be

mandatory.

Porter said both record-keeping and certification of janitors who apply

pesticides should be mandatory.

Porter added that the Enviromental Decade is preparing a World Wide Web page

on which state residents can look up the results of the pesticide survey by

searching for their local schools.

Memo: Reporter Andy Hall contributed to this report.

Copyright © 1998 Madison Newspapers, Inc.