School pesticide policies and programs are being adopted in every state and community across the country. A number of state and local regulations for school IPM programs exist and can serve as models for developing school IPM projects. As these examples change, and the numbers of states with school IPM regulations increase, these states will be referenced. Criteria for content will include changes in regulatory legislation as well as media releases and case studies that pertain to ongoing developments in school IPM at federal, state, and local levels.

In 2005, more than two thirds of the states had enacted some legislation containing policies regarding integrated pest management. These policies might require implementation of IPM programs, pesticide bans, and ?right-to-know? procedures. Additionally, more than 400 school districts across the country are known to have policies at the district level. These policies are designed to protect children and to create safe learning environments that are free of pesticides and free of pests.

The number of states with legislation applicable to school IPM has been increasing. Learn about the status of legislation for school IPM in the following states:

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Wisconsin

To learn more about the status of legislation in another state, visit the Beyond Pesticides Web page of state and local school pesticide policies. Click on the state you are interested in learning more about.

Right-to-know procedures vary from state-to-state and from one school district to another within the same state. The basic premise is to implement an IPM plan for the school and to inform parents, students, and staff prior to application of pesticides, thus allowing concerned parents and staff an opportunity to take necessary precautions. In some situations, schools might notify parents, students, and staff following the application. Posted signs generally need to be visible for at least 72 hours.

Not all states have restricted spray zones around schools. Nor do they all require written notification for pesticide use. Regulations prohibiting when and where pesticides can be applied also vary. Only a few states require that schools adopt an integrated pest management plan. Standards have been developing; however, at this time, there are no consistent national standards for IPM.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA): FIFRA (enacted 1947) has been amended several times. All schools that use pesticides are subject to provisions under this act. FIFRA governs licensing of pesticides and gives U.S. EPA the ability to approve all pesticides before they become available for sale. Each designated use for a pesticide must receive EPA approval, and all pesticides must receive and display an EPA registration number. These rules make it possible for EPA to make sure the pesticide will not cause "unreasonable human health or environmental effects."

Additional federal acts exist to control pesticides, but these are more applicable to landscaping and agriculture as well as to the production of pesticides. An introduction to these regulations is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/laws.htm

Resource: EPA Pesticide Classification Explained (FIFRA), IPM in Schools, Southwest Technical Resource Center at schoolipm.tamu.edu/resources/fedlawsandreg.htm

Proposed: School Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) is legislation introduced in February 2005. This act recognizes the heightened sensitivity children have to toxic pesticides and that their risk is increased through exposure. Children breathe more air and eat more food relative to their body weight. As a result, residual pesticides in school environments pose greater risks to children?s health. The bill proposes that public schools use the safest methods of pest control in school buildings and on school grounds.This is proposed legislation and its status can be monitored at SEPA.

Parents must have access to information about pesticide management in their children?s schools. The bill explicitly states a parent?s right-to-know about pesticide application and management at the school.

• Legislation proposes establishment of a 12-member National School IPM Advisory Board that will be responsible for establishing a set of uniform standards for implementation of school IPM programs.