Pesticides provide a valuable service to our society in reducing pests, but they also pose hazards, especially to children who may be sensitive to them.  IKE's goal is to reduce both pests and pesticide exposures, and to ensure that parents who are concerned about pesticide use are notified of the planned use so they can take appropriate action.

 

Additional Links

 

•        Office of the Indiana State Chemist: Responsible for regulating the distribution and application of pesticides in Indiana and certification programs for pesticide applicators. Also provides staff support to the Indiana Pesticide Review Board.

•        Purdue IPM School Technical Resource Center: Assistance for schools and daycares in implementing integrated pest management.

•        File a Pesticide Complaint with the Indiana State Chemist: Each year the State Chemist investigates more 150 complaints, including those dealing with pesticide use, misuse, damage, storage, disposal, and credentialing.

•        Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - a method for controlling pests while reducing chemical use.

•        IPM for schools -  technical support program from Purdue University to help schools comply with the Indiana policy on pest control. 

•        Least toxic control methods for specific pests.

•        Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society - native species resist local pests.

•        Pesticide Action Network - an organization promoting alternatives to pesticides.

•        Beyond Pesticides - a coalition against the misuse of pesticides.

•        National pesticide use database

•        The IPM model policy, passed by the Indiana School Board Association in March 2001.

IKE's Past Accomplishments

Child Care Facilities:  IKE worked with the Indiana Pesticide Review Board to develop a model policy for child care facilities which the board adopted in 2003.

Arsenic-Treated Lumber:  In cooperation with WISH-TV (Channel 8) in Indianapolis, IKE helped focus attention in Indiana to the hazards posed by lumber treated with chromated, copper arsenate.  This lumber is known as CCA-treated lumber.  It was banned for use on new items in the residential market in 2004.  Existing stock was not recalled so it is still present in picnic tables and playsets built before 2004. 

Retail Stores:  Indiana requires retail stores that offer advice to customers about selection and use of pesticides to be registered and trained.  Compliance has been poor.  IKE worked with the Office of the Indiana State Chemist to get the word out and improve the quality and accuracy of the advice given by your local store through IKE's Secret Shopper program.

Indy Urban Pesticide Initiative:  Thanks to a grant from EPA Region 5 in 2001, IKE developed an Indy Urban Pesticide Initiative to focus its efforts to reduce exposure to pests and pesticides.

For information on these past programs, contact us at ike@ikecoalition.org.