Materials used by institutions’ buildings and grounds are not safe for people or the environment. Indeed, based on a national survey for Healthy Hospitals (2003), the 37 most commonly used pesticides are associated with a range of adverse health outcomes: 16 are likely, probable or possible carcinogens; 13 are linked to birth defects; 15 are linked to reproductive problems; 22 are neurotoxins; 18 cause kidney or liver damage; 28 are irritants that can cause skin rashes, eye irritation, and other problems; 9 are known groundwater contaminants; 12 can leach through soil and are potential groundwater contaminants; 14 are toxic to birds; 30 are toxic to fish and other aquatic life; and, 16 are toxic to bees.
Healthy Hospitals also reported
that, similar to other sectors, (schools, cities, libraries, colleges) pest management in health care settings often escapes the scrutiny of institutional “greening” efforts. Reasons for this extend from 1) a fundamental misunderstanding of the health risks of chemical pesticides (especially for vulnerable and sensitive populations in health care facilities), 2) false belief that toxic pesticides are necessary in pest control, to 3 the outsourcing of pest control to service providers that utilize chemical-intensive approaches. These factors typically lead to a widespread and systematic reliance on chemical pesticides to prevent and control pests in the health care sector and generally in pest control.
campaign that is going to put Cleveland in the forefront of green cities that are adopting organic management practices across major institutions, including hospitals, a very highly ranked university, a world class art museum and more. Indeed, We currently have by-in from and have been working closely with the land and building management teams from University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Art and University Circle Incorporated. These are all cultural gems of Cleveland and serve as model institutions for the rest of the state. This campaign will not only protect the people of Cleveland but serve as a model for the nation in taking a broad approach to transitioning a city, and its major institutions, to organic land and building management practices. The campaign will provide handson technical support from major national sustainable pest control experts to put on-the ground programs in place, provide broad education to the larger community on how to transition to organic building and land management practices.
Healthy Hospitals also reported
that, similar to other sectors, (schools, cities, libraries, colleges) pest management in health care settings often escapes the scrutiny of institutional “greening” efforts. Reasons for this extend from 1) a fundamental misunderstanding of the health risks of chemical pesticides (especially for vulnerable and sensitive populations in health care facilities), 2) false belief that toxic pesticides are necessary in pest control, to 3 the outsourcing of pest control to service providers that utilize chemical-intensive approaches. These factors typically lead to a widespread and systematic reliance on chemical pesticides to prevent and control pests in the health care sector and generally in pest control.
campaign that is going to put Cleveland in the forefront of green cities that are adopting organic management practices across major institutions, including hospitals, a very highly ranked university, a world class art museum and more. Indeed, We currently have by-in from and have been working closely with the land and building management teams from University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Art and University Circle Incorporated. These are all cultural gems of Cleveland and serve as model institutions for the rest of the state. This campaign will not only protect the people of Cleveland but serve as a model for the nation in taking a broad approach to transitioning a city, and its major institutions, to organic land and building management practices. The campaign will provide handson technical support from major national sustainable pest control experts to put on-the ground programs in place, provide broad education to the larger community on how to transition to organic building and land management practices.
