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2007-8-28 16:16:56 |
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Pesticides in schools are a pervasive, unnecessary health hazard, Marc Lame, an entomologist and professor in Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, said in a July 17 press release. Use of pesticides is common in the U.S. schools. "Over 80 percent of schools in America are applying pesticides on a regular basis, whether they have a pest problem or not," Lame said. "This is tragic not only because of the well-documented link between pesticides and health problems in children, such as asthma and neurological disorders, but also because pesticides generally do not work in a preventive manner in the school environment. Applying pesticides does not prevent pests from coming in, so using them when pests are not present does nothing other than expose children and staff to toxic chemicals." According to Lame, the most widely used insecticides are nerve poisons, which cause nerves to fire in an uncontrolled manner and disrupt endocrine (hormone) systems. Exposure to these pesticides can result in similar effects on the human nervous system, with symptoms ranging from vomiting to severe breathing problems. Research is limited, but ADHD, autism, interfility and dementia may have something to do with pesticide exposure. Children are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides, according to charityguide.org . Studies have found higher risk of brain cancer, leukemia and birth defects in children with early exposure to pesticides, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council . "The thing to remember is that it is not just a question of children being smaller than adults and getting more exposure pound-for-pound. The even more serious issue is that their nervous systems are still developing, so they are especially susceptible to nerve poisons," Lame said. Lame was cited as saying "pest problems are better managed with an integrated approach that involves recognition and remediation of conditions that attract pests or allow pests to enter facilities." "It's common sense pro-action rather than toxic reaction," he said. Lame serves as a consultant for schools and environmental health agencies around the country, helping them implement such programs through a process known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). He is also the author of a book on pest management in schools, A Worm in the Teacher's Apple: Protecting America's School Children from Pests and Pesticides (Authorhouse, 2005). |
