Pesticides can pose significant health risks. Some 48 pesticides are commonly used in schools nationwide, some known to cause cancer or reproductive effects. Glyphosate and lamda cyhalothrin, two of the pesticides cited most frequently by school districts in the Michigan survey, have been associated with adverse health effects. The majority of schools surveyed post notices of coming pesticide applications. Most districts have control over how and when pesticides are applied when done by an outside company.
Most districts have a formal, written policy covering pesticide application.
The bad Some school districts never make parents aware of their right to be notified in advance of pesticides applications except by posting in schools, where parents are not likely to see the information. The majority of districts don t handle their own pest control, instead contracting with private firms. Nine schools rely exclusively on pesticides for pest control and do not use less-toxic alternatives. Congress should enact federal law and the state should increase efforts to get local schools to comply with state requirements. Schools like Lewis Cass Technical High School in Detroit have proven that there are safer, effective alternatives to using toxic pesticides.