Most parents are unaware that this occurs because schools are not required to notify them in advance. Senate Bill 5533 has now passed out of the House Agriculture and Ecology Committee with strengthening amendments. We are urging legislators to bring this bill to a floor vote and pass it. Tell them that parents need to know when pesticides are used in schools. WITH its strengthening amendments to provide more information to parents about pesticide use in schools.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals including pesticides.
Since children spend a great deal of time at school, it is critical to create a healthy school environment by minimizing exposures to pesticides. Most school districts in Washington state, however, regularly use pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and other pest control chemicals. Most parents don't know that this pesticide use is occurring, because very few districts notify parents. Current law requires only that certified pesticide applicators place a small marker at the time of application and only when the application is outdoors. Parents, students, and staff receive no advance notification, and the markers do not include information such as the name of the pesticide or a caution statement.