|
PESTICIDE POLICY FOR
CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS
California Safe Schools is committed to ensuring that all students, teachers, staff, and community members
who live near school sites are in a safe toxic-free environment.
LOS ANGELES - California Safe Schools Coalition, having successfully worked with Los Angeles
Unified School District (2nd largest district in USA) to implement a LEAST -TOXIC,
LOW RISK pest management policy, whose preamble includes the "PRECAUTIONARY
PRINCIPLE", is sharing its secret for success on their website: http://WWW.CALISAFE.ORG
"Precautionary is an action taken in advance to protect people and a principle is a rule. The
"PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE" protects everybody against danger or injury.
It's better to be safe than sorry!", said LAUSD student Alexandria Gracian,age twelve.
"The policy, which has become the model for school districts and communities nationwide, mandates the use
of preventative measures and least toxic methods first in schools. Only when preventative measures fail does
the district turn to pesticides on the approved list.
Pesticides on the approved list cannot contain
products known to cause cancer, neurological disruption, birth defects, genetic alteration,
reproductive harm, immune system dysfunction, endocrine disruption, or acute poisoning, which
stops the routine use of the most hazardous pesticides in our schools," said Robina Suwol Executive Director.
"We are pleased with California's assumption of leadership in this critical field of children's
health. The LAUSD's courageous position is to be applauded and, hopefully, emulated
nationwide." said CSS Board Chair, and parent of LAUSD students, Ashley Posner, Esq.
"Every parent knows that it is smart to keep children away from toxic chemicals." said Harvey Karp, MD,
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics. "That's why
I salute California Safe Schools Coalition. The coalition has helped the Los Angeles Unified
School district to adopt the best solution in the country for getting rid of pests while protecting children."
"Our website will help others understand the policy. There are downloadable "Parent Right To Know Forms", a
copy of the groundbreaking policy, and links to other environmental organizations. A special attraction on
the website are illustrations and posters designed by internationally celebrated
artist Michael Bruza", said Action Now's Annie Waterman, founding member of CSS.
CALIFORNIA SAFE SCHOOLS (COALITION)
October 31, 2003
For more information, contact:
Robina Suwol
Executive Director
California Safe Schools
818-785-5515
schoolipm@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.calisafe.org
|
.gif)
.gif){kind=small}
