Signs and flagging will be left in place for 7 days following application or until the reentry interval has elapsed, whichever is longer. NCAP believes that they are essential to protect school occupants. Even boric acid has caused illness when inadvertently dispersed through school rooms by a heating and ventilation system. This occurred because key personnel were not aware of the application or of the reentry and label requirements. Building occupants and grounds users need to be aware of pesticide applications in order to act appropriately and avoid inadvertent exposure.
Posting also serves a valuable public education function.
A number of schools have mishandled pesticide-related emergencies, by not evacuating the building immediately, or by not contacting appropriate state agencies in a timely manner. Also, serious school exposures have occurred because of drift from nearby agricultural or backyard pesticide applications. Make sure that the school receives advance notification prior to any pesticide use on adjoining properties. Also be sure that school policies spell out where and how pesticides are to be stored. Of course, such policies will have to adhere to local fire codes or hazardous materials regulations as well as other district safety rules.