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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about pesticide use in and around schools, an dhow you can learn more and work to lessen their use.
How do I find out what pesticides are used at my school?
Just ask! To fully comply with state law and to provide parents with the information they need, all districts must fully implement the provisions of the Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Act (36kb PDF file). Districts must comply with the notification and record-keeping requirements of this law by keeping complete and accessible records of all pesticide applications, notifying interested parents and teachers prior to any pesticide application, and creating accurate and timely annual pesticide-use summaries. You can ask your district's maintenance director about pesticide use and notification. For a worksheet to help you in asking the right questions about pesticide use and pest management in your district, check out our School Pest Management Evaluation (40kb PDF file).
Are pesticides hazardous to my child's health?
Pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and other pest control chemicals, can cause a variety of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) health effects. Possible acute symptoms of exposure include headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, skin irritation, and respiratory irritation. Scientific studies link certain pesticides to cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders, reproductive problems, endocrine (hormone) disruption, and immune deficiency. For more information on the health effects of pesticides, click here.
What can I do about pesticide use at my school?
A lot! You can use the School Pest Management Evaluation (40kb PDF file) to find out more about the pesticide use and pest management practices in your district, and determine if there is a need to implement a pest management policy. You can follow these Ten Steps to a Healthy School (44kb PDF file) to begin working for healthy schools in your district, and you can contact the Washington Toxics Coalition to help. Now you are on your way to a healthier school environment!
Are there examples of districts that don't use high hazard pesticides?
Yes! A growing number of districts in Washington state and around the country have adopted policies that successfully eliminate the use of all or most pesticides. Here are a few examples of successful school districts in Washington (click on them to read brief descriptions):
What is IPM?
Least-toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emphasizes non-chemical means of preventing and reducing pest problems. These practices can drastically reduce or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides while reducing pest problems in schools. IPM can bring other benefits as well, including better energy efficiency, structural maintenance/building repairs, better indoor air quality, and cost savings. Schools around the country are finding that effective pest control is possible without the use of toxic pesticides and that better practices can save money in the long run.
What is the Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Act?
Washington's Children's Pesticide Right to Know Act (under RCW 17.21), which became effective in July 2002, gives parents, teachers, and school staff members information about pesticide use in their schools. Parents can better protect their children from pesticide exposure and can more easily obtain information about pesticide use and seek reductions by their school districts. For information on the specific requirements of the law, download our factsheet What Is the Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Act? (36kb PDF file)
Why should schools develop a pest management policy?
Decreasing pesticide use is key to protecting our children's health, but despite good intentions to simply reduce use, experience shows that adopted policies are necessary to ensure best practices in the long run. Adopted policies eliminate the use of the most hazardous pesticides, outline specific steps to solving pest problems, ensure complete implementation, and guarantee that pesticides will not be used even when changes in staff occur.
To assist community members in reducing pesticide use in schools, the Washington Toxics Coalition has created a Healthy Schools Pesticide Action Kit (128kb PDF file). It contains fact sheets, reference tables, and resource lists to help pass a strong policy for your local district. It also includes a model policy for school districts.
For more information on districts with strong policies, please visit our Success Stories page.
