Pesticide Use in Schools

Despite the hazards to children and the environment, pesticides have become a preferred approach to controlling pest problems in many schools and school districts. Toxic chemicals are being used on school athletic fields, shrub beds, parking lots, tracks, play areas, and in cafeterias, classrooms, gymnasiums and restrooms. Too often, pesticides are applied by unlicensed personnel, or applied on a calendar basis whether pests are present or not.

Resources for Changing School Policy

Concerned parents, teachers, groundskeepers and others who want to reduce pesticide use on school grounds will find useful information below on hazards of pesticides to children, pest control alternatives, model policies, and information on how to take action for change at their schools.

• Restoring Healthy School Landscapes
• Unthinkable Risk: How Children Are Exposed and Harmed When Pesticides Are Used at School.
  Unintended Casualties: Five Stories of Children Whose Lives Were Profoundly Affected by Exposure to Pesticides at School
• Steps Parents and Teachers Can Take to Reduce School Pesticide Use. Start here for an overview that includes most of the links below, and many more!

• Doctors Recommend Pesticide Use as Last Resort in Schools, 2005. PDF

• Beyond Pesticides Healthy Schools Project
  The 'Resources' page has links to a number of organizations currently working on reducing pesticides in schools
• California School IPM Program
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools.