I'm surprised pesticides are used in schools !!

[Guest guest]

Campaigners have called for action to protect children after research

highlighted a link between illness and pesticide use in or near

schools.

Scientists found the rate of illnesses linked to pesticides and

similar chemicals rose sharply between 1998 and 2002 in US schools.

 

Most of the 2,593 patients affected had mild illnesses, but some were

more serious, and a few severe.

 

The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical

Association.

 

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticide

exposure

 

Georgina Downs

 

Exposure to pesticides can cause rashes, sore throats, burning eyes,

blisters, headaches and nausea as well as potentially more serious

long term effects.

 

The scientists, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety

and Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in

Cincinnati, examined 406 cases in detail.

 

They found two-thirds were associated with pesticides used in

schools, and a third with chemicals drifting into schools from nearby

farms.

 

Safety measures

 

The scientists recommended measures to improve the use of pesticides

in schools, reduce pesticide drift and set up pesticide spray " buffer

zones " around school buildings.

 

The UK Pesticides Campaign called for immediate action to protect the

public, and the replacement of chemicals with natural methods of pest

control.

 

Georgina Downs, who heads the Campaign, said: " Children are

particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticide exposure because

their bodies cannot efficiently detoxify and eliminate chemicals,

their organs are still growing and developing.

 

" I continue to receive reports of illnesses in children attending

schools where pesticides are used, especially schools surrounded by

crop fields that are repeatedly sprayed, throughout every year, with

mixtures of pesticides.

 

" Pesticides have been sprayed around schools, peoples homes, offices

and other places of human habitation for decades.

 

" No adequate or appropriate risk assessments have ever been

undertaken either in the UK or internationally regarding the long-

term exposures of rural residents and communities, including children

and employees attending schools where pesticides are used. "

 

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is due to publish a

report on " bystander " exposure to pesticides in September.

 

Ms Downs has gone to the High Court challenging a decision by the

Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) not to

introduce no-spray zones around agricultural land.

 

The application is on hold pending publication of the Royal

Commission's report.

 

A Defra spokesperson said the latest study would be put to the

Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Pesticides Safetyate.

 

" There is already a detailed system of risk assessment employed to

ensure that the particular effects of pesticides on children are

properly taken into account. "

 

She also stressed there were significant differences in the way

pesticides were used in the US and the UK.

[Guest guest]

Lots of counties in CA have a no spray policy. More and more utility

companies are adopting no spray policies. Of course, the flip side is that

lots of invasives are having a hey ol' time. Star thistle is rampant.

 

Lynda

-

" heartwerk " <heartwork

 

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 11:47 PM

I'm surprised pesticides are used in schools !!

 

 

> Campaigners have called for action to protect children after research

> highlighted a link between illness and pesticide use in or near

> schools.

> Scientists found the rate of illnesses linked to pesticides and

> similar chemicals rose sharply between 1998 and 2002 in US schools.

>

> Most of the 2,593 patients affected had mild illnesses, but some were

> more serious, and a few severe.

>

> The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical

> Association.

>

> Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticide

> exposure

>

> Georgina Downs

>

> Exposure to pesticides can cause rashes, sore throats, burning eyes,

> blisters, headaches and nausea as well as potentially more serious

> long term effects.

>

> The scientists, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety

> and Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in

> Cincinnati, examined 406 cases in detail.

>

> They found two-thirds were associated with pesticides used in

> schools, and a third with chemicals drifting into schools from nearby

> farms.

>

> Safety measures

>

> The scientists recommended measures to improve the use of pesticides

> in schools, reduce pesticide drift and set up pesticide spray " buffer

> zones " around school buildings.

>

> The UK Pesticides Campaign called for immediate action to protect the

> public, and the replacement of chemicals with natural methods of pest

> control.

>

> Georgina Downs, who heads the Campaign, said: " Children are

> particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticide exposure because

> their bodies cannot efficiently detoxify and eliminate chemicals,

> their organs are still growing and developing.

>

> " I continue to receive reports of illnesses in children attending

> schools where pesticides are used, especially schools surrounded by

> crop fields that are repeatedly sprayed, throughout every year, with

> mixtures of pesticides.

>

> " Pesticides have been sprayed around schools, peoples homes, offices

> and other places of human habitation for decades.

>

> " No adequate or appropriate risk assessments have ever been

> undertaken either in the UK or internationally regarding the long-

> term exposures of rural residents and communities, including children

> and employees attending schools where pesticides are used. "

>

> The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is due to publish a

> report on " bystander " exposure to pesticides in September.

>

> Ms Downs has gone to the High Court challenging a decision by the

> Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) not to

> introduce no-spray zones around agricultural land.

>

> The application is on hold pending publication of the Royal

> Commission's report.

>

> A Defra spokesperson said the latest study would be put to the

> Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Pesticides Safety

> Directorate.

>

> " There is already a detailed system of risk assessment employed to

> ensure that the particular effects of pesticides on children are

> properly taken into account. "

>

> She also stressed there were significant differences in the way

> pesticides were used in the US and the UK.

To send an email to -

>