Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Environment

Schools Urged To Reduce Pesticide Use

by Britt E. Erickson
January 12, 2009 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 87, Issue 2

[+]Enlarge
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock

EPA, USDA, and integrated pest management (IPM) organizations have released a strategic plan to reduce pests and pesticide use in schools by 70% over the next six years. That goal has been easy to achieve in pilot school IPM programs throughout the U.S., according to EPA. The plan calls for schools to use commonsense strategies to reduce the availability of food, water, and shelter for pests in and around school buildings. It does not call for an elimination of pesticides, but rather for schools to adopt an IPM program that relies on all pest-management strategies and uses pesticides only when necessary. Studies have shown that schools that adopt IPM practices have less pesticide residue, fewer pests, and lower allergen levels, with no overall increase in costs, according to EPA.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.