Today, April 5, is National Healthy Schools Day, a day for public awareness coordinated by the Healthy Schools Network since 2003.   According to the campaign, “Across the U.S., there are 130,000 public and private K-12 schools enrolling some 55 million children and employing about 7 million adults–in all 20% of the total US population is in schools every day. Yet, EPA reports that half of all schools have problems with indoor pollution, a complex problem attributable to various sources, such as poor siting or engineering, leaky roofs, deferred maintenance and repairs, and the use of toxic products indoors and out.”   You can take part in National Healthy School Day by encouraging schools to reduce pesticide use. Continue reading

The EPA has released a preliminary pollinator risk assessment for a neonicotinoid insecticide called imidacloprid. This pesticide has been implicated in several major bee kill events in Oregon and elsewhere. Imidacloprid is sold as Admire, Gaucho, Merit and other trade names. In home and garden products, this active ingredient is often in products labeled “Systemic”.  The EPA is soliciting public comment on its risk assessment until April 14, which examines risks of agricultural uses of imidacloprid to bees. The risk assessment makes no regulatory suggestions; those come later in the registration review process. However, assessment identifies a nectar residue level for imidacloprid of 25 ppb, above which the EPA believes that effects on pollinator hives are likely. These effects may include reduction in numbers of pollinators as well as the amount of honey produced.   Continue reading

By Megan Dunn, Healthy People & Communities Program Director In Washington State, workers and residents are asking for stronger protections from pesticide drift. According to the Department of Health, cases of pesticide related illness are being reported by farmworkers, residents living near farms, and recently a school[i]. (Details in the pie chart below). Farmworkers on conventional farms have an increased risk of diabetes[ii]and certain cancers, and children of mothers who live near agricultural areas, or who are otherwise exposed to certain pesticides during gestation may be a increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders[iii]. Continue reading

Happy New Year! For 2016, we are resolved to protect more communities, inspire more change and reduce more pesticide use. A few important topics are already emerging and below are some of our plans for the upcoming year's three program areas.  Continue reading

NCAP volunteer and recently elected board member Jessica Rojas reflects on her passion for plants and how they brought her to know and value NCAP.  Continue reading