Healthy-Schools-Act-

 

The Healthy Schools Act of 2000 established right-to-know procedures for pesticide use in California public schools and mandated using least-toxic pest management methods as state policy.

The Healthy Schools Act (HSA 2000) requires that all public school districts must:

• Provide annual written notification to all school staff, parents and guardians listing all pesticide products (some products are exempt) expected to be applied by district staff or outside contractors in the upcoming year, and the Internet address to DPR's School IPM Program website www.schoolipm.info
• Provide the opportunity for interested staff and parents to register with the school district if they want to be notified of individual pesticide applications at the school before they occur.
• Post warning signs at each area of the school where pesticides will be applied, posted 24 hours in advance and until 72 hours after applications.
• Maintain public records of all pesticide use at the school for 4 years.
• Designate an IPM coordinator to carry out these requirements.

HSA definition of IPM:
Under the Healthy Schools Act, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is defined as:
"A pest management strategy that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems through a combination of techniques such as monitoring for pest presence and establishing treatment threshold levels, using non-chemical practices to make the habitat less conducive to pest development, improving sanitation, and employing mechanical and physical controls. Pesticides that pose the least possible hazard and are effective in a manner that minimizes risks to people, property and the environment, are used only after careful monitoring indicates they are needed according to pre-established guidelines and treatment thresholds."

How to Keep Out Ants: How to Keep Out Mice and Rats: How to Keep Out Cockroaches: Aedes Mosquitoes Prevention: Mosquito IPM at Schools: Classroom Spiders Best Management Practices: Carbon Monoxide Devices for Managing Burrowing Rodents at Schools: