Overview

School districts throughout Washington routinely use pesticides both inside school buildings as well as on school grounds. The majority of districts use pesticides, known as "high hazard pesticides," which are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, nervous system harm, and hormone disruption.

Since children are especially vulnerable to pesticides, it is clear that schools, where children go every day to learn, should be environments that are free from pesticides. That's why the Washington Toxics Coalition is working to make schools safer for children by promoting alternatives to toxic pesticides and encouraging school districts to adopt least-toxic pest control policies. Working with parents and other community leaders, we have succeeded in passing a number of school district policies that emphasize pest prevention, least-toxic alternatives, and restrictions on high-hazard pesticides.

For more information on the information in this Healthy Schools section, and on how you can get involved to reduced the pesticide use in your child's school district, contact Environmental Advocate, Michael Grenetz, at mgrenetz@watoxics.org or at 206-632-1545 ext. 117