Pesticide Use in Schools - Minimizing the Risk
Maine Board of Pesticides Control Requirements for Pesticide Application & Public Notification
287-2731 or [email protected]
Why be Concerned About Pesticide Use in Schools?
Kids are more sensitive to chemical exposure than adults
Acute Poisoning Delayed Effects: Tumors, cancer, birth
defects, blood and nervous system disorders.
Allergic Effects: Asthma and skin, eye and nose irritation.
Environmental Impacts
All Pesticides Pose Risk!
State Pesticide Regulations
Purpose: Manage pests to protect health, environment and property while minimizing risks of pesticide exposure.
1. Licensing (Chapters 10 & 31)
2. Integrated Pest Management (Chapter 27)
What are pesticides? Insect sprays, granules, dusts,
etc.: Raid, Safer Soap Weed killers: Round-Up,
weed&feed’ lawn products Plant disease protectants: rose
sprays Ant Cups Rat/mouse baits: D-con Insect repellents Mold/mildew products Disinfectants & bleaches: Lysol,
pine oil These and More!
State Pesticide Regulations
1. Licensing: Person applying pesticides on properties regularly used or occupied by students or staff of any school must have a valid Commercial Applicators License
With a few exceptions
What pesticides can school staff use without a license?
Disinfectants used in routine cleaning
Emergency stinging insect control
Repellants for personal protection If repellants are to be applied to
students by school staff, must have permission from the parent/guardian
Most repellant labels prohibit self application by children (under 18 years of age)
Non-powered application of wood preservative and other pesticide-containing paints/stains
No recommendations or endorsements intended
What applications require a licensed applicator?
Indoor pest control such as: Ant cups, baits or sprays Roach baits or sprays Mouse or rat poisons
Duct cleaning & mold remediation
What applications require a licensed applicator?
Outdoor pest control Weed control on lawns, athletic fields,
fence rows, parking lots Insect control on trees, shrubs, lawns or
around the building Mosquito or tick control Plant disease control Includes use of low risk or organic
pesticides like Weed & Feed, RoundUp, Safer Soap, Diatomaceous Earth, Bacillus Thuringiensis, mosquito dunks, etc.
No recommendations or endorsements intended
Standards of Pesticide Application in Schools (Chapter 27)
Applies to all Maine K-12 public or private schools and any nursery school that is part of an elementary or secondary school
Applies to applications done in school buildings and on school grounds
School Grounds Include:
Land associated with school buildings Playgrounds, athletic fields,
agricultural fields
Other outdoor areas used by students or staff that may be owned privately or by a municipality… That are regularly used for
school activities
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Required in Schools
a) Adopt IPM Policyb) Appoint IPM Coordinatorc) Notify Parents/Staff Annually
and before higher risk Pesticide Applications
d) Use IPM and ‘Least Risk’ Pest Control Practices
e) Keep Records for 2 Years
IPM Requirements For All Schools
a) Written IPM Policy Must be Adopted and Implemented
Sample Policies Available:1. MSMA - Policy ECB – www.msmaweb.com or
622-3473 2. MBPC – www.thinkfirstspraylast.org/schoolipm
or 287-2731
Integrated Pest Management Policy
What should an IPM policy include?
Pest management objectives Duties of an IPM Coordinator Education of the school
community Record keeping Posting & Notification Pesticide purchasing
& storage guidelines Licensing of applicators
All Schools Must Appoint an IPM Coordinator
Must be a school staff person who will:
Record pest sightings, Record all pest
management actions including pesticide use,
Keep parents, guardians or staff informed,
Coordinate with pest management specialists.
Integrated Pest Management Coordinator
Appoint a staff person as IPM Coordinator who will: Approve appropriate
pesticide applications, Assure all feasible IPM
recommendations are completed,
Assure posting & notices are done,
Evaluate effectiveness of the school’s IPM program regularly.
Annual Notice
All schools must send an annual notice to all school staff, parents and legal guardians within the first two weeks of the school year This notice must advise them:
about the IPM policy & where it can be viewed,
that pesticides may be applied, that notices will be given before
higher risk applications, that records of applications are
available for review, and a copy of “Chapter 27” is
available for review.
Application Specific Notification
During the regular school year, schools must provide written notices at least 5 days before pesticide applications with a higher risk of exposure Notices may go by backpack or email,
etc. Notice may be given “universally,” or The school may establish a notification
“registry”
Some flexibility for agricultural fields, orchards, nursery or greenhouse “classrooms”
Download sample notice at www.thinkfirstspraylast.org/schoolipm
Mr./Mrs. Smith
Xyz Street
YourTown, ME
Board allows enforcement discretion for school Ag and Hort programs
Reduces the scope of the notification requirements…
When pesticides are applied to remote fields or detached greenhouses as part of a high school program, and
Students are trained as Agricultural Workers according to the EPA Worker Protection Standard
Need only send 5 day notification to staff and parents or guardians of students that regularly enter those areas
Definition of Regular School Year
Approximately last week of August to third week of June
Does not include week-long vacations or summer school
No more exceptions for applications done on nights or weekends
Application Posting
All year round, schools must post signs 2 working days before higher risk pesticides are applied and leave them up for 48 hours
81/2 x 11 inches min
4 x 5 inches min
Indoor sign Outdoor sign
Pesticide Uses Exempt from Specific Notification
All uses exempt from applicator licensing, plus…
Pesticides injected into cracks, crevices or wall voids,
Bait blocks, gels, pastes, granular and pelletized materials placed in areas inaccessible to students,
Indoor application of a pesticide with no re-entry interval specified on the label but entry to the treated area is restricted for at least 48 hours.
No recommendations or endorsements intended
Pest Management Requirements
Before pesticides may be used, the school must:
Monitor for pests Identify pests Assess & document pest severity Use non-pesticide control measures
Pesticide Choice
When pesticides must be used, lowest risk treatments available must be chosen
No recommendations or endorsements intended
Indoor Applications
Must be limited to baits, wall void, crack & crevice and pool or spa treatments
Unless the pest threatens the health and safety of staff or students
House Mosquito(Culex pipiens)
Reduce Exposure Indoors
Only apply pesticides when students or staff are not in the same room
May set out bait blocks, pastes or gels when informed staff are present
Indoor applications should be planned to occur on weekends or during vacations
Reduce Exposure Outdoors
Only apply pesticides when students or staff are not in the target area or close enough to be exposed to drift or vapors
Ideally, schedule for maximum drying time before re-entry
Avoid broadcast treatments
If Contracting for Pest Control Services:
Develop written IPM contract (sample contract available from Safer Pest Control Project http://spcpweb.org/
Specify how contractor will: Inspect and monitor for pests make recommendations for sanitation,
maintenance, prevention. Use pesticides only where and when there is
demonstrated need and a pest identified Use least-risk methods available
Pesticides must NOT be applied on regular basis or as a preventative.
Record Keeping
Keep records for 2 years Pest monitoring records Pesticide application records MSDS and Label for each
pesticide used Provide to public and BPC
inspectors upon requestPesticide Application Records
Labels & MSDS
Pesticide Application Records
Pesticide Storage
Must be in original container, with MSDS and product label, in secure enclosure, maintained to prevent unauthorized use, mishandling or loss; and to prevent contamination of the environment and risk to public health.
If no licensed staff – don’t store pesticides!
School IPM Web Site
http://www.thinkfirstspray last.org/schoolipm/
Why should schools comply?
Reduced liabilities
Reduced health risks
Improved indoor air quality
Better facilities maintenance Reduced energy
costs
Why should schools comply? Practicing IPM instead of scheduled
treatments provides for… Effective, long-term pest control A healthier learning environment More efficient use of school funds
save $$$ in the long run
Help is available
Education, consultation, referral 287-2731, [email protected] or [email protected]
Pest identification (1-800-287-0279)or [email protected]
Other resources How-to manuals, fact sheets, checklists, templates,
sample IPM plan, workshop announcements
http://www.thinkfirstspray last.org/schoolipm/