Children and Pesticide
In November, 1999, the Children's and Families Protection Act (CFPA) was passed by an act of the Massachusetts legislature. In May, 2000 Governor Cellucci signed into law “An Act to Protect Children and Families From Harmful Pesticides. ” The act restricts and in many cases prohits the use of pesticides in and around schools and child care centers. It requires notification of parents and staff prior to application of pesticides. It also requires all schools to have their pesticide application and notification plans in place.
Most schools on Cape Cod are now in compliance with the CFPA but there are still many daycare centers that have not filled IPM Plans as required by the law. Check your school.
Artwork by GreenCAPE member Holly Young
GreenCAPE suggests that all parents and other concerned adults to call their schools and request copies of their plans after reading the information at the following websites:
- CFPA Implementation Guide A Citizen's Guide To Ensure Pesticide Use Reduction in Massachusetts Schools and Daycare Centers from Toxic Action Center.
- Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture (MassDFA): Offical site for the Children ’s Protection Act. You can read a summary or the full text of the law, find more information about notification requirements, and find background information about the law.
- University of Massachusetts Extension Services IPM site. This site has much to offer--a model school IPM plan and loads of information about IPM and related topics.