Pesticide Use in Schools - Minimizing the Risk

Maine Board of Pesticides Control Requirements for Pesticide Application & Public Notification

287-2731 or gary.fish@maine.gov

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, gary.fish@maine.gov or kathy.murray@maine.gov

Pest identification (1-800-287-0279)or ckirby@umext.maine.edu

Other resources How-to manuals, fact sheets, checklists, templates,

sample IPM plan, workshop announcements

http://www.thinkfirstspray last.org/schoolipm/