IPM encourages alternatives to harmful pesticides and herbicides to protect the public health. It is a sustainable approach to managing pests that combines biological, physical and chemical control techniques while reducing overall exposure to toxics. In addition to reducing risks to children, IPM is more effective in controlling pests. The CU study found evidence of confusion, misinformation and voluntary or involuntary evasion of current IPM standards in Texas on the part of school officials. Texans use an estimated 37 million pounds of pesticides each year.
Children are particularly sensitive to pesticides because their minds and bodies are still evolving.
While education should be one of the top state and national priorities, we must remember that education and poor health are clearly incompatible. From 1985 to 1992, the EPA found at least 2,766 pesticide poisoning incidents in schools nationally. It had a high ratio of Green List to Yellow List use and no Red List products. It is possible now for a school district to use 100 percent highly toxic pesticides in favor of least toxic alternatives. It is evidently not happening as a matter of course.