New pesticides law perplexing to many school officials
Parents have a right to know at least 72 hours in advance when pesticides may be sprayed in schools, according to a state law that goes into effect Jan. 1. However, a survey by the American Lung Association and the environmental group Clean Water Action reveals school districts are not all ready to comply.
“It certainly seems a lot of school districts are not sure what to do about this state law. We’d like to educate school districts about the issue more. That’s the primary thing,” said Myron Arnowitt, western Pennsylvania director of Clean Water Action.
The Pesticide Notification Act will require school districts to notify parents and guardians before the spraying of pesticides in their children’s schools. However, school districts may choose to notify all or some parents.
The notification can be made through normal school communications, referred to in the survey as “universal” notification, or through a registry of parents who request the notice. The existence of the registry must be advertised to parents before Jan. 1 to give them a chance to sign up.
The organization’s survey revealed about 32 percent of the state’s 501 school districts made no response to the survey, while 25 percent have not yet decided how to respond to the law. Another 25 percent said they would use the universal notification, and 18 percent chose the registry. Southwestern Pennsylvania school district statistics showed little fluctuation from the overall numbers, with 32 percent offering no response, 29 percent not decided, 24 percent choosing universal notice and 15 percent opting for the registry.
“We think it’s important to notify all parents of pesticide spraying,” Arnowitt said.
Local results are mixed.
Connellsville Area, Laurel Highlands, Uniontown Area, Central Greene and Jefferson-Morgan school districts indicated a choice for universal notification. Carmichaels Area School District chose the registry option.
Albert Gallatin Area, Frazier, Southeastern Greene, Bethlehem-Center, California Area and Belle Vernon school districts did not respond. Brownsville Area and Southmoreland school district officials noted they were undecided on how they may comply.
Arnowitt said Clean Water Action is sharing materials with officials of the school districts that knew little about the law. He said the issue is important because pesticides may harm children.
“Children are often more susceptible to harmful chemicals because of their smaller body size and how kids operate by putting their hands in their mouths. Kids are vulnerable and still developing their immune systems. Developmental problems are on an increase now, and there are a lot of concerns,” he said.
Clean Water Action, Parent Teacher Association District 10 and Learning Disabilities Association of America representatives were among those who recently announced the results of the survey in Pittsburgh. The results were updated as of Nov. 15.
Pat Chapaitas of PTA District 10 said that group is concerned about making sure parents are fully informed about pesticide application, and Kathy Lawrence of the Learning Disabilities Association of America focused on the importance of the law in the protection of children’s health.
The law was adopted in April in an effort to reduce children’s exposure to pesticides.