Did you know that:
  - Most Ohio schools routinely use harmful pesticides?
  - Some pesticide use has been possibly linked to asthma, childhood leukemia and ADHD?

Our goal is to create a healthier learning environment for the children of Northeast Ohio by reducing their in-school exposure to pesticide. To do this, we are working to have as many school districts as possible adopt written Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policies and programs.

Pesticide Alternatives for Safer Schools (PASS)
IPM is a strategy for managing pest problems before they start. It emphasizes non-toxic methods, such as keeping pests out and making sure they have no food or livable habitats. Pesticide use is drastically reduced or eliminated. Schools that have adopted IPM report that their pest management costs go down.

We have an impressive group of co-sponsors, including the Commission on Catholic Community Action, Center for Families and Children - Lee Fisher, Director, Earthday Coalition, EcoCity Cleveland, Environmental Health Watch, HealthSpace Cleveland, Heinens, John Carroll University Department of Biology, the Mustard Seed Market, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, NEO Sierra Club, the Ohio Environmental Council, U.S. Congressman Sherrod Brown, State Senator Eric Fingerhut, State Senator Dan Brady, State Representatives Dale Miller, Annie L. Key, Kathleen Chandler, Thomas Patton, and Michael Skindell, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, State Representative Shirley A. Smith, State Representative James P. Trakas, State Representative Michael DeBose, Cleveland Green Building Coalition, Cynthia Taylor, MD, Cathleen Fagan, MD, MPH, Ann Reichsman, MD, Anne Wise, MD, and the Cleveland Jewish News.

Why is this project important? Each day children spend 8 to 10 hours in school buildings and on school grounds where hazardous pesticides are typically used. Scientific studies demonstrate that these chemicals represent one of the greatest threats to children’s health. Due to their small size and developing organ systems, children face higher risks than adults from pesticides. The National Academy of Science, the American Public Health Association, and the National PTA have all voiced their concerns.

Information For Schools
Work for a school and looking for ODH Jarod's Law information, model IPM Programs, and parent and staff notification samples? Click here!

IPM Compliant Schools!
Click here to see a list of schools and organizations that can proudly say they've finished writing their IPM policy in compliance to Ohio Law.

 

Pesticides and Children
Don't Mix!