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Earth Day Call to Action: Protect CT School Children from Toxic Pesticides
(Hartford, CT) In keeping with the spirit of Earth Day, Connecticut legislators, health professionals and child advocates gathered today to urge passage of bills that would help protect children from toxic lawn pesticides used on school grounds. Pesticides are associated with a range of health impacts and disorders including certain cancers, asthma, birth defects, nervous system damage, and disruption of hormones essential for growth and development. The bills, including H.B. No. 5234 (An Act Banning Pesticide Use on School Grounds), and H.B. No. 7096 (An Act Concerning Pesticide Applications at Schools and the Use of Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning and Maintenance Products in Schools), would require middle and high schools to replace toxic pesticides with organic methods to maintain school fields.
“As a physician, I think that passage of these bills that restrict the use of pesticides on school grounds is a clear prescription for children’s health protection,” said Jerome Silbert, M.D., Executive Director of The Watershed Partnership. “And schools that have already made the shift to organic lawn care are proving that there are safer, effective alternatives to pesticides.”
Children are considered more vulnerable to health damage from pesticides because their organs, nervous systems and immune systems are still developing; their higher rates of cell division and lower body weight also increase children's susceptibility to pesticide exposure and risks. They also have a higher respiratory rate and so inhale airborne pesticides at a faster rate than adults.
"Recent studies including those from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Academy of Science, show that children are more susceptible to toxic chemicals. Also that children ages 6-11 nationwide have significantly higher levels of residues from lawn pesticides in their bodies than all other ages,” Mary Jane Williams, of the Connecticut Nurses Association. “We must do more to prevent exposure to pesticides if we are to lay a foundation for health for school children and those involved in educating these children."
Nancy Alderman, president of Environment and Human Health, Inc., said, "Pesticides, including insecticides and herbicides, are intentionally toxic substances. These compounds are designed to kill living things and children may be especially susceptible to their adverse effects, especially to their immature endocrine, immune, respiratory, and nervous systems.”
Legislative champions are working to extend protections for elementary schools established during last year’s session to middle and high schools this year.
"In 2005, the Assembly took the important step of protecting elementary school children from pesticides on school grounds,” said Rep. Andy Fleischmann (D-West Hartford). “Middle and high school students deserve the same protection. Children who play sports and games on school fields should not have to deal with exposure to toxic pesticides and herbicides."
“Pesticides are known to be detrimental to humans of all ages, and we especially need to protect our young people from potential harm,” said Rep. Livvy R. Floren (R- Greenwich). “Extending the ban on pesticide use will provide a safe school grounds environment for more than 260,000 students in grades six through twelve.”
Groups across the state came out today to urge swift passage of these measures, and stressed the availability of safer methods to manage school grounds.
“The Connecticut Parent Teacher Association supports a greener approach to maintaining school grounds and school buildings,” said Marne Usher, spokesperson for Connecticut PTA. “Our children spend a great deal of their time there. It should be the healthiest environment we can create.”
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