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Oregon—School Policies

 

STATE SCHOOL PESTICIDE LAW

I. Restricted Spray Zones Around School Property

Overview

Pesticides move off the target site when they are sprayed, whether inside or outside. When sprayed outside pesticides drift on to nearby property resulting in off target residues. Buffer zones can eliminate exposure from spray drift on to school property. As a result, states require buffer zones around schools. In order to adequately protect against drift, buffer zones should, at a minimum, be established in a 2 mile radius around the school’s property. Aerial applications should have a larger buffer zone, at least 3 miles encircling the school. Buffer zones should be in effect at all times of the day. It is especially important for spray restrictions to be in place during commuting times and while students and employees are on school grounds.

State Information

Oregon does not have any statewide requirements regarding restricted spray zones around school property.

II. Posting Notification Signs for Indoor Pesticide Applications

Overview

States use different approaches in providing school pesticide use information to parents, students and staff. Some forms include the posting of notification signs and/or the distribution of notices directly to the affected population. Posted notification signs warn those in the school when and where pesticides have been or are being applied. This is a vehicle for basic right-to-know if the posting occurs in an area where it is easily seen by parents, students and staff. It is important to post signs for indoor pesticide applications because of the extensive period of time students and school employees spend at school. Signs posted prior to commencement of the pesticide application, not after, are more protective. The prior notification system effectively enables people to take precautionary action. Because of the residues left behind after an application, signs should remain posted for at least 72 hours. It takes time for pesticides to start breaking down and some pesticide residues can least for weeks. Signs should also be posted at all main entrances of the building and the specific area sprayed, on the main bulletin board, and, for more comprehensive notification, in the school newspaper or on the daily announcements. Posted signs should state when and where a pesticide is applied, the name of the pesticide applied and how to get further information, such as a copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and the product(s) label.

State Information

Oregon law requires signs to be posted for 24 hours prior to indoor school pesticide applications and remain for 72 hours.

III. Posting Notification Signs for Outdoor Pesticide Applications

Overview

For a wider range of protection, states should require posting pesticide notification signs for outdoor pesticide applications as well. Students who play sports or people continually on the lawns represent a high risk when applications occur on school property. Dermal exposure can occur when a football player gets tackled, a soccer player slides to make a block or a student sits on the grass to eat lunch or watch a game. Inhalation exposure can occur when a player breathes in kicked up dust and dirt and pesticide residues. Even spectators at a game or passersby face inhalation exposure to pesticides that volatilize or vaporize off the treated area.

State Information

Oregon law requires signs to be posted 24 hours prior to outdoor pesticide applications and remain for 72 hours.

IV. Prior Written Notification

Overview

Written notification of pesticide use is a good way to make sure that all parents, children and staff are aware and warned of pesticide use in the schools. Limited notification-based registries is a less effective means of notifying people and does not qualify as right-to-know because of its limited scope. Requiring that individuals place themselves on registries, sometimes only with a doctor’s letter, afford only those who already know about toxic exposure the opportunity to be informed about pesticide use in the school. Prior notification should be 72 hours in advance to make sure the information has been received, to get further information regarding the pesticide and to make arrangements to avoid the exposure, if necessary. Notification should include the name of the pesticide(s), a summary of the adverse health effects listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and label, the day and time, and area of the application and how to obtain a copy of the MSDS and label.

State Information

Oregon law requires schools to establish a parent and staff universal notice which provides 24 hour advance written notification of pesticide applications.

V. Prohibitions on Use

Overview

Limiting when and what pesticides are applied in and around schools is important to the reduction of pesticide exposure. Pesticides should never be applied when students or employees are in the area or may be in the area within 24 hours of the application. In reality, certain types of pesticides, such as carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, reproductive toxins, developmental toxins, neurotoxins, persistent compounds and substances, bioaccumulative compounds and substances, toxicity category 1 acutely toxic pesticides and ground water contaminants should not be used around children.

State Information

Pesticides may not be used for aesthetic/cosmetic purposes or on a routine, preventive basis. Carcinogens and EPA toxic category I and II pesticides prohibited.

VI. Integrated Pest Management

Overview

A good integrated pest management (IPM) program can eliminate the unnecessary application of synthetic, volatile pesticides in schools. The main elements of a good IPM program include: 1) monitoring to establish whether there is a pest problem, 2) identifying the causes of the pest problem, 3) addressing the cause by changing conditions to prevent problems, 4) utilizing pest suppression techniques, if necessary, that are based on mechanical and biological controls and 5) only after non-toxic alternatives have been tried and exhausted, use the least toxic pesticide. An IPM policy should include a written policy guide and a prohibited and acceptable materials list. Material that could be considered after using other methods include boric acid and disodium octoborate tetrahydrate, silica gels, diatomaceous earth, insect growth regulators, insect and rodent baits in tamper resistant containers or for crack and crevice placement only, microbe-based insecticides, botanical insecticides (not including synthetic pyrethriods) without toxic synergists, and biological (living) control agents.

State Information

Oregon State law requires that all pesticide applications made in schools (both public and private) be completed by a fully licensed applicator. Pesticides applied must be "low-impact" and schools must implement IPM practices.

COPY OF STATE SCHOOL PESTICIDE LAW
Integrated Pest Management in Schools

 

LOCAL SCHOOL PESTICIDE PROGRAMS

Portland Public Schools
Date Passed: May 2001
IPM: The IPM program requires schools to seek practical alternatives to pesticides in order to reduce and feasibly eliminate their use. Pesticides will not be used for aesthetic purposes and schools can request to be designated as a "pesticide free zone."
Posting Notification Signs: the school principal will post signs before and after pesticide applications (no time specified).
Prior Written Notification: the principal will be notified 7-10 days in advance, except in the case of an emergency (i.e. rodent infestation). It is the principal's responsibility to notify parents and students of pesticide applications before and after their use.
Prohibition of Use: EPA Group A (known) and Group B (probable) human carcinogens are prohibited.
Local Contact: For more information on the Portland School Board pesticide policy contact Becky Riley, Portland Parents for Alternatives to Pesticides at, [email protected].
School Contact: Patrick Wolfe, Portland Public Schools, Manager of Environmental Services, 501 North Dixon Street, Portland, OR 97227-1804. Phone: (503) 916-3449


Other Schools with IPM/Notification Policies:
Fernridge
Eugene Public Schools
Lincoln County

 


CONTACTS FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP)
PO Box 1393
Eugene, OR 97440-1393
Ph. 541-344-5044
Fax 541-344-6923
[email protected]
http://www.pesticide.org/

For more contacts for local organizations, visit our Links to Local Organizations.

 


For more information contact

Beyond Pesticides, 701 E Street, S.E., Suite 200, Washington, DC, 20003, [email protected]