Indy Urban Pesticide Initiative

Both the landlord and the tenant have a responsibility to reduce exposure to pests and pesticides in apartments. Problems arise if either shirks their responsibility. The impact usually is not limited to a single tenant.

The Initiative educated landlords and their tenants on pests and pesticides and strove to develop realistic expectations for both landlords and tenants regarding pest control and pesticide use - expectations that might be incorporated into  lease agreements.  The standard agreement used by landlords is vague on the issue.

IKE  worked with the Apartment Association of Indiana and the Marion County Health Department on the project.

Under state regulations, retail stores that sell or offer for sale any pesticide and choose to have employees provide pesticide selection and use advice to customers must:

• Have a pesticide consultant on staff who is registered with the Indiana State Chemist;
• Train all employees who provide pesticide selection and use advice using a training course approved by the Indiana State Chemist;
• Post a notice in an area that the employees will see reminding them that they must be trained before providing any pesticide selection and use advice; and
• Post a notice in a public area notifying customers that they have the ultimate responsibility to read and follow the directions on the pesticide label and labeling.

This rule initially had poor compliance largely because most stores were not aware of the requirement. Through the initiative, IKE worked to get retail stores in Marion County into compliance.  The Indiana State Chemist sent out a letter on August 1. 2001, to all stores alerting them to the rule and their compliance responsibilities.

When lumber treated with chrome, copper and arsenic is burned, or sawdust is left on the ground, children are exposed by inhaling the smoke or handling the ash or sawdust.  As part of the initiative, IKE worked with agencies and retail outlets to better educate consumers and contractors.  IKE also evaluated the merits of its use where children could come into contact with it.

The initiative also supported efforts to educate citizens regarding:

• Pest control in schools;
• Mosquito control and steps to reduce numbers of dangerous mosquitoes; and
• Exposure to pesticides in neighborhoods around urban golf courses and parks.