GREENLEAF SCHOOL
PESTICIDE BILL MOVES FORWARD
HARRISBURG – The House Education Committee has approved Senate Bill
705, a proposal offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to reduce exposure to
pesticides in schools.
The measure, which passed the Senate and now is expected to be considered
by the House of Representatives, would require school districts to adopt
integrated pest management (IPM) plans by July in accordance with the policy
currently in use by the Department of Agriculture until regulations are
promulgated.
Under the bill, the Department would 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 Greenleaf legislation is expected to move through the General
Assembly in concert with a related bill offered by State Rep. Carole Rubley—House
Bill 1289, which is currently in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee. Rubley’s bill would
provide for notification to students’ parents of pesticide treatments in
buildings or on grounds at least 72 hours in advance.
It would 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 workable legislation to
protect children and school employees. After many
years of effort on this issue, I now look forward to passage
of this legislation by the House and Senate,” Greenleaf
said.
