seventy-two hours. It takes time for pesticides to break down and some pesticide resi-
dues can last 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 pes-
ticide applied, and how to get further information, such as a copy of the material
safety data sheet (MSDS) and the product(s) label.Posting Notification Signs for Outdoor Pesticide
Applications—RecommendationsFor a wider range of protection, states should require posting pesticide notification
signs for outdoor pesticide application as well as indoor spraying. Students who play
sports or people continually on the lawns are at greater 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 eating lunch or
watching 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 inha-
lation exposure to pesticides that volatilize or vaporize off the treated area.Prohibition on Use—RecommendationsLimiting when and what pesticides are applied in and around schools is important
to the reduction of pesticide exposure. Pesticides should never be applied when stu-
dents or employees are in the area or may be in the area within twenty-four hours of
the application. In reality, certain types of pesticides, such as carcinogens, endocrine
disrupters, reproductive toxins, developmental toxins, neurotoxins, and persistent
compounds should not be used around children.^35Sample IPM Notification LetterA standard IPM notification letter to school districts explains the following details:
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s):
The Peters Township School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
approach for managing insects, rodents, and weeds. Our goal is to protect every stu-
dent from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management. Our
IPM approach focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable
habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hid-
ing and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and mainte-
nance. We routinely monitor the school building and grounds to detect any pests
that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our maintenance personnel
and building staff. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator, who evaluates
the ‘‘pest problem’’ and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to
address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying
storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.130 | Pesticides