Pesticides

Pesticide provide a valuable service to our society in reducing pests that threaten children. 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.

Recent Events:

April 2008: Indiana Pesticide Review Board starts rulemaking to require certification for people applying pesticides in locations where children or the infirm spend significant time. The Board has published a notice that it will consider amendments to its rules to require training and certification where potentially vulnerable individuals such as children and the infirm are routinely housed for extended periods of time, such as schools, daycares and health care facilities. No hearing has been scheduled yet, but you can review the draft rule here and provide comments to Dave Scott at the Board (scottde@purdue.edu) or to IKE (mccabe@ikecoalition.org).

IKE is working with ISDH and Professor Marc Lame (IU-SPEA) on a pilot project with two schools in Pike Township (Indianapolis) to implement Integreated Pest Management.

Child Care Facilities: IKE is working with the Indiana Pesticide Review Board to develop and implement a model policy for child care facilities. A draft will be available in March 2002.

Arsenic-Treated Lumber: In cooperation with WISH-TV (Channel 8) in Indianapolis, IKE has 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 will be pulled from the residential market by the end of 2004. So what do we do with yet another toxic legacy.

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 is working 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.

Housing: IKE is working with the Community Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC) to integrate pest and pesticide concerns into a broader array of environmental sampling and analysis efforts to reduce environmental threats to children's health posed by substandard housing.

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