GREENLEAF SCHOOL
PESTICIDE BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
HARRISBURG – Governor Schweiker has signed into law Senate Bill 705, a
proposal offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to reduce exposure to pesticides
in schools.
The measure and a companion House bill sponsored by Rep. Carole Rubley,
which was signed into law as well,
are aimed at protecting children and school personnel by means of utilizing a
variety of pest control methods and by setting notification standards for
chemical applications.
Greenleaf’s
legislation will require school districts to adopt integrated pest management (IPM)
plans by January 1, 2003, in accordance with the policy currently in use by the
Department of Agriculture until regulations are promulgated.
Under the law, the Department will designate an IPM coordinator to assist
schools in the adoption and administration of IPM plans.
The concept of IPM is to utilize the least toxic method of pest control
that proves effective. Under such
programs, physical plant improvements such as caulking and removing potential
attractions for insects and rodents are often used as the first line of defense.
Chemical control of pests is not excluded under IPM plans, but consideration
must be given to the use of the least toxic chemicals that will control pest
populations.
“IPM plans require building and property administrators to think
through pest control programs, rather than just scheduling pesticide
applications. Entities utilizing
these programs generally save money along with protecting occupants from
needless exposure to chemicals,” Greenleaf said.
The new law offered by Rep. Rubley will provide for notification to
students’ parents of pesticide treatments in buildings or on grounds at least
72 hours in advance. It will also
prohibit pesticide applications in areas where children are expected to be
present within a time period of seven hours.
“Rep. Rubley and I have worked hard to develop legislation to protect
children and school employees. After
many years of effort on this issue, I look forward to
enactment of both these bills in the interest of the health
and safety of school children and staff,” Greenleaf said.
