The School Environmental Protection Act (SEPA)
A new bill that would provide a minimum national standard to protect kids by reducing pesticide use in their places of learning.
The School Environment Protection Act of 2012 (SEPA), which will be
introduced by Representative Rush Holt in January 2012, ensures a
healthy learning environment for children through the management of
school buildings and school grounds without toxic pesticides. Please
contact Rep. Holt's office and sign-on as an original cosponsor of this
important legislation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), National Academy of Sciences, World Health Organization (WHO),
and American Public Health Association, among others, have voiced
concerns about the danger that pesticides pose to children. Children are
especially sensitive to pesticide exposures as they take in more
pesticides relative to their body weight than adults and have developing
organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic
chemicals.
Pesticide poisoning of student and school staff is not
uncommon. A 2005 study published in the Journal of American Medical
Association finds that students and school employees are being poisoned
by pesticide use at schools. The study authors noted the lack of
protection for school children and employees under federal law, pointing
out that state laws provide some protection but are varied, thus
leaving large gaps. SEPA would require all public schools adopt
integrated pest management (IPM) programs that emphasize non-chemical
pest management strategies and only use defined least-toxic pesticides
as a last resort.
Please contact Rep. Holt or Aisha Morris in Rep. Holt's office to sign-on as an original cosponsor.
