JPSE v2 - Abstract - Response to Pre-notification of Pesticide Application in a Public School System

Abstract

Journal of Pesticide Safety Education, 2000, Volume 2, Pages 1-14

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Response to Pre-notification of Pesticide Application in a Public School System

Amy E. Brown , Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 ab35@umail.umd.edu
Jacob Z. Schmidt , Maryland School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

This paper reports on a survey of parents and staff responses to the pesticide pre-notification program implemented in a Maryland county school system.  The majority of parents and staff were satisfied with the amount, type, and timing of information provided in the pilot program.  Less than 1% of staff and just 2% of parents stayed home or kept children home from school.  Less than 5% of respondents believed they or their children had exhibited symptoms of pesticide illness from the school pesticide applications, although less than a third of parents and only 14% of staff reported watching for symptoms.

Keywords: IPM schools pesticide safety health youth