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Tillicum PTA Resources >> Toxic Pesticide Use on School Grounds Toxic Pesticide Use on School Grounds The Issue
At the Tillicum PTA General Meeting (March 21, 2007), Roshni Tewari and Liz Taqieddin gave a presentation about their efforts to convince the Bellevue School District to reduce (and eventually replace) the use of Tier-1 (high toxic and likely cancer-causing) chemicals when treating school properties.
They explained they have been trying to convince the school district to amend their policy, but that the district has been reluctant to do so (and has not let the committee present to the school board).
House Bill 1806 has been drafted to stop the use of these chemicals in all schools, but has not successfully passed. Some other districts have taken voluntary action to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the use of the hazardous chemicals.
Goals of the committee include:
* Stop use of high hazard pesticides (not asking for a complete ban on pesticide use). These include carcinogenic (causes cancer), endocrine disruptor (affects hormones), neurological hazards (affects nervous system), and other than affect reproductive processes in pregnant women and development processes in kids.
* Adopt Integrated Pest Management ... an approach that utilizes regular monitoring to determine if/when teatments are needed, with a focus on biological tactics to keep pest populations low and prevent intolerable damage or annoyuance. Chemicals may still be used as a last resort.
* Allow pesticide use if there is an immediate risk to the health of students, staff, or community (bee hives, etc.)
History
At the Bellevue Council PTA meeting on Monday, April 2nd, experts from Washington Toxics, a landscape specialist from Lake Washington Technical College, and three people from the Bellevue School Board presented their perspectives on the issue. The District representatives pointed out that progress is being made toward addressing the concerns raised about potentially hazardous chemicals; and has been making changes. Their concerns are (a) They do not want to make changes to a standing policy that is in compliance with State and Federal laws (although the policy does not mandate specific chemicals or specific procedures that are at the core of the debate); (b) They are reluctant to add an "oversight group" when their efforts are already moving toward convergence and compliance with the wishes expressed at the meetings.
The PTA Council approved a resolution to encourage the district to avoid use of potentially harmful chemicals. Representatives from BSD who were in attendance also felt the resolution was appropriate, as did the visiting specialists speaking out against the use of highly toxic chemicals.
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