NIOSH FACT SHEET
735E07007
Reducing Pesticide Exposure
at Schools
Summary
Pesticides play an important role in food supply
protection and disease control, but they can also
be harmful to human health. The term pesticide
applies to insecticides, herbicides, fungicides,
disinfectants and various other substances used
to control pests. Pesticides are often applied at
schools to help maintain sanitary conditions and
suppress rodents and insect populations. Expo-
sures and potential health risks to children and
school staff can be reduced by avoiding routine
pesticide applications through an Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) program.
IPM is an alternative pest-control technique that
manages and suppresses pests by preventing their
access to food, water and shelter. These strategies
can be more cost-efficient than traditional pest
control options.' Using IPM at schools can reduce
pesticide exposure of workers and students.
Pesticide Exposure at Schools
Exposure to pesticides at schools has been associ-
ated with illnesses among employees and students,
although infrequently. Rates of illness from pes-
ticide exposure at schools have been shown to be
higher in school staff than in children because staff
members are more likely to handle pesticides.2
However, children may be particularly susceptible
to pesticide toxicity because many of their organ
systems have not reached developmental maturity.3
Exposures to pesticides can produce cough, short-
ness of breath, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and
eye irritation.2 There is also mounting evidence
that long-term pesticide exposure in adults is as-
sociated with chronic health effects such as cancer,
neurologic problems and reproductive problems.43
IPM can be useful to promote a safe
learning environment
A Multifaceted Approach Needed
to Manage and Suppress Pests
Although pesticides temporarily control pest pop-
ulations, pests often return to the same location
because food, water and shelter are still available.
Consequently, additional actions are necessary to
control pests in settings such as schools, workplac-
es, and homes. A multifaceted approach, such as
an IPM program, is essential to effectively manage
and suppress pests in any environment.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
CDC
Workplace
Safely and Health
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Recommendations for Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest-control alternative to routine pesticide use. IPM emphasizes several
elements to successfully manage and suppress pests from an environment without relying on the regular use of
chemicals. The use of IPM reduces the use of pesticides at schools compared to traditional pest-control options. To
implement IPM at your school, you can start by developing a written policy and procedural guidelines for school pest
management.6 This policy, accompanied by its procedural guidelines, should incorporate the following 8 IPM steps:
1. Appoint a pest manager
• The pest manager should be a knowledgeable person
or company competent to carry out pest manage-
ment duties, such as a member of the custodial staff, a
company contracted to perform pest management at
the school, or another appropriate person. Please see
the sidebar on page 3 for more information on how to
choose a pest manager
2. Monitor for pest problems
• The pest manager should routinely inspect the build-
ing, including entrances, food/water storage sites and
restrooms for pest activity.
• The pest manager should respond to any pest com-
plaints reported by students, staff, parents and others.
3. Identify the nature of any pest problems
• The pest manager should find the origin of a pest
problem (for example, food crumbs, cracks in walls)
and identify the type of pest.
4. Eliminate the source(s) of the problems without
using pesticides
• The pest manager should modify the habitat by using
methods such as repairing cracks and crevices, sealing
doors, moving trash receptacles away from the build-
ing and ensuring sanitary conditions.
5. If nontoxic methods fail or are impractical use
pesticides following these principles:
• Use the least toxic pesticide that is effective and ap-
proved application techniques that minimize expo-
sure (try to avoid using pesticides labeled "Warning"
or "Danger").
• Only trained and qualified workers should handle and
apply pesticides. Read and follow the directions on the
pesticide container. Ensure the pesticide applicator uses
the appropriate personal protective equipment.
6. Keep accurate records to document and evaluate
the effectiveness of the IPM program
• Record the types of pests detected before and after
any habitat modification or pesticide treatment.
• Document measures taken to control the pest(s).
7. Educate the school community about pesticides
and IPM
• Involve and educate stakeholders, including admin-
istration, instructional and support staff, parents and
students.
• Distribute the school's pest-control management pol-
icy to school stakeholders periodically, for example,
by including it in parent handbooks and teachers
manuals.
Educate students and teachers on how their behavior
contributes to pest problems (food in classrooms/
cubbies, gum under desks, paper clutter, etc.).
Involve students and staff in pest monitoring activi-
ties. A school employee should always be present to
watch over all IPM service provider visits.
8. Notify and provide reentry recommendations
when pesticides are used
• Consider providing written notification of any up-
coming pesticide application to all students, parents
and staff.t At least 19 states have laws that require
schools to provide some type of written notification
before a pesticide application.7 Many of these states
require that notification be made at least 24 hours
before an application.
Specify the type of pesticide to be used, if possible.
The pest manager should be available to provide more
specific information on the pesticide.
Post notices around the perimeter of the application
area and leave these notices in place for 48 hours after
the application.
Avoid spraying pesticides when children and staff are
present. Pesticides shouldn't be sprayed during school
hours or when school activities are taking place. Ap-
plications on Friday evenings are ideal if no weekend
school activities are scheduled.
Restrict staff and students' access to the treated area
until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recom-
mended on the pesticide label.
'Baits or other types of gels and pastes in areas inaccessible to staff and
students maybe exempt from these notification guidelines.
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References
1. EPA [2006]. Integrated pest management (IPM) in
schools. Washington, DC: United States Environ-
mental Protection Agency [www.epa.gov/pesticides/
ipm/].
2. Alarcon WA, Calvert GM, Blondell JM, et al
[2005]. Acute illnesses associated with pesticide
exposures at schools. JAMA 294(4) :455-465.
3. National Research Council [1993]. Pesticides in
the diets of infants and children. Washington, DC:
National Academy Press [www.nap.edu/catalog.
php?record id=2126#toc].
4. Alavanja MC, Hoppin HA, Kamel F [2004]. Health
effects of chronic pesticide exposure: Cancer and
neurotoxicity. Ann Rev Pub Hlth 25:155-197.
5. Garcia AM [2003]. Pesticide exposure and women's
health. Am J Ind Med 44:584-594.
6. EPA [2006]. Pest control in the school environment:
Adopting integrated pest management. Washing-
ton, DC: United States Environmental Protection
Agency [www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/brochure/].
7. NASBE [2007]. State by state pesticide use. Alex-
andria, VA: National Association of State Boards of
Education [www.nasbe.org/HealthySchools/States/
Topics.asp?Category=C&Topic=7].
For More Information About Integrated Pest Management
The following are some Web sites that provide
detailed information regarding pesticides, IPM,
examples of model IPM programs, and further
IPM resources for school officials and other inter-
ested parties.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in schools:
Protecting Children in Schools from Pests and
Pesticides
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm
General information on IPM programs in schools
California School Integrated Pest
Management Program
http://www.schoolipm.info/
Comprehensive school IPM Web site that provides
documents, links and other resources
The IPM Institute of North America, Inc.
http://www.ipminstitute.org/
Provides general information on IPM in schools
and IPM STAR Certification
IFAS at the University of Florida: National School
IPM Information Source
http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/
Provides specific information for parents, admin-
istrators, faculty and staff, and pest managers
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health: Pesticide Illness & Injury Surveillance
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pesticides/
General information on pesticide illnesses and
surveillance in the United States
How to choose an individual/
company to be the pest manager to
perform IPM services*
• Ask for a written description of their IPM ser-
vices. It should include regular inspections,
regular service reports, IPM recommenda-
tions and use of least toxic pesticides.
• Does the individual/company promote rou-
tine use of sprays? If the answer is "yes,"
find another IPM service provider!
• Discuss current pest problems, their causes
and management recommendations. Do
they seem reasonable?
• Are their IPM recommendations consistent
with those found in this fact sheet?
• Your IPM service provider should be able
to provide documentation/proof of training
related to pest identification.
• Your IPM service provider should be a willing
and skilled educator.
• To help educate the school community on
IPM, the IPM service provider should require
that a school employee be present to watch
over all service visits.
* Adapted from materials developed by the University of
Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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This document is in the public domain and
may be freely copied or reprinted.
As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
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conducting research and making recommendations to
SAFER • HEALTHIER • PEOPLE'
prevent work-related illnesses and injuries. Fact sheets
describe how worker exposures to hazardous agents or
activities can be reduced.
If you have a poisoning emergency, please call the
Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1212 or dial
911.
Mention of any company or product does not consti-
tute endorsement by the National Institute for Occu-
pational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, cita-
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or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is
not responsible for the content of these Web sites.
Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-150
September 2007
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998
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