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Pesticides and Schools - Parent notification law
As of July 2002, public schools and licensed daycare facilities in Washington are required to notify parents and employees about pesticides used on their grounds. The law requires the following:
- Schools and licensed daycare facilities must provide parents, guardians and employees with an annual written notice about pest control policies and methods and must tell interested parents how they will be notified.
Information about pesticides used on the premises must be posted at least 48 hours before application of the pesticide.
The Revised Code of Washington at RCW 17.21.415 sets out the provisions of the law. Schools and daycares are exempt from following these provisions when students aren’t in school for at least two consecutive days after application of a pesticide and in case of an emergency that poses an immediate threat to human health or safety. One example is the application of a pesticide to control stinging insects.
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is working to help school districts understand these legal requirements and to promote the use of alternatives to pesticides, such as integrated pest management, or IPM. While integrated pest management may require more effort and increased tolerance for weeds on the part of staff, students and parents, it can protect the health and safety of people and the environment.
Resources for schools and daycare facilities
The following resources can help schools and daycare facilities comply with pesticide regulations and find alternatives to pesticide use:
- “Compliance Guide for the Use of Pesticides at Public Schools (K-12) and Licensed Daycare Centers” published by the Washington Department of Agriculture
- Article on how school districts can comply with the law, published by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
- “Integrated pest management: How to deal with problems with pests (including weeds) in a smart, safe manner” published by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
- Natural Yard Care Web site, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. Many of the strategies used for homes can be used successfully on school and business grounds.
- Federal Way Public Schools Integrated Pest Management Policy
- Bainbridge Island School District “Integrated Vegetation and Pest Management Policy and Procedures”
- Model Least-Toxic IPM Policy published by the Washington Toxics Coalition
- “School pesticide use: Resources for promoting healthier schools” published by the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
- Integrated Pest Management fact sheets developed by the Seattle Green Gardening Program
- The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. Web site
IPM and other resources for parents
Parents interested in pesticide use at their child’s school can contact the school to find out about its notification policy.
To learn more about particular pesticide products—especially if these are being used at the local school or daycare facility—contact the Garden Hotline at 206-633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org .
For more information about IPM, see two resources developed by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County:
“Integrated pest management: How to deal with problems with pests (including weeds) in a smart, safe manner”
Natural Yard Care Web site
Parents (and students) can volunteer to help with weed management. Many schools have Adopt-a-Flowerbed programs.
Other Resources
For information on Integrated Pest Management and answers to landscape-related questions, contact the Garden Hotline at 206-633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org.
Other resources include:
City of Seattle's Pesticide Reduction Program
www.cityofseattle.net/environment/pesticides.htm
Seattle Public Utility’s Green Gardening Program and Integrated Pest Management fact sheets
www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/For_Landscape_Professionals/Integrated_Pest_Management/index.asp
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
www.pesticide.org/schools01.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (Region 9) IPM for Schools: A How-to Manual
www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/schoolipm/index.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s IPM in Schools
www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/
Washington State PTA
www.wastatepta.org
Washington Toxics Coalition
www.watoxics.org
