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Shaku Nair, Dawn H. Gouge, Shujuan Li
Department of Entomology, University of Arizona
Schools are an environment where students are present all day and where pesticides are used to control pests. "It is the policy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect children from environmental exposures by consistently and explicitly considering early life exposures and lifelong health in all human health decisions." (EPA Children’s Health Policy and Plan, https://www.epa.gov/children/childrens-health-policy-and-plan#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20policy%20of,in%20all%20human%20health%20decisions).
When it comes to risks associated with pests and pesticides, children are the most vulnerable because 1) their behavior increases the chance of exposure; 2) their developing bodies are more profoundly impacted by pest related disease, allergens, and toxic substances; and 3) because of their relatively smaller size, less of a toxic substance is needed to have detrimental effects on children.
Pesticide exposure can be reduced by controlling the type and frequency of pesticides applied in school environments. It is important to pay attention to signal words on pesticide labels, and to follow the label carefully. Despite utmost care when applying pesticides, mistakes do happen and there are also individuals who have chemical sensitivities.
That is why pesticide application notifications are critically important!
Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-152 (2002) (known as pest management at schools; notice) requires that the governing board of each school district, in consultation with others, shall develop and adopt a policy to provide pupils, employees, parents and guardians, with at least 48 hours' notice before pesticides are applied on school property.
ARS 32-2307 (2002) (known as pesticide applications at schools and child care facilities; notifications; exemptions) requires a licensed pesticide applicator should notify schools or child care facilities at least 72 hours prior to any pesticide application. The statute also states that only licensed pesticide applicators are allowed to apply pesticides in schools, child care, food service and medical facilities. There are sensible pesticide exemptions built into the statute.
The purpose is to reduce risks associated with pesticide use around vulnerable populations while allowing the use of effective pesticides for pest control, when they are needed.
An effective and practical method to ensure that all staff, students and parents are aware of pesticide use in schools is to use electronic notifications and physical pesticide application warnings (signage) placed in relevant locations.
Notifications should include the following information:
brand name, concentration, rate of application, pesticide label and safety data sheet and any use restrictions required by the pesticide label. A contact for emergencies or further information is desirable.
A summary of potential adverse health effects associated with products are listed on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and pesticide label. Schools and childcare facilities are required to have these documents on-hand.
ARS 32-2307 requires that pesticide treated areas are posted immediately after the application. The posting shall be at least 8.5 x 11 inches, and shall include the name of the pesticide, the registration number issued by the EPA, the date and time of application and the name and telephone number of the business licensee and certified applicator. A copy of the posting shall also be placed at the main entrance to the school or childcare facility. The posting and the copy of the posting shall remain in place for at least 48 hours after the application.
Keeping Arizona Children Safe
The EPA and University of Arizona encourage schools and childcare providers to practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a risk reduction approach, which minimizes health impacts associated with pests and pesticides.
The three Arizona Revised Statutes (2021) pertaining to these rules are
The above information is available online as an IPM short. Read or download it here: http://cals.arizona.edu/apmc/docs/Pesticide_Notification_Schools.pdf.
Signal Words
What are signal words?
Signal words are found on pesticide product labels, and they describe the acute (short-term) toxicity of the formulated pesticide product. The signal word can be either: DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION. Note: Product names mentioned are registered trademarks and are used for illustration purposes only. Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by The University of Arizona.
Products with the DANGER signal word are the most toxic. Products with the signal word CAUTION are lower in toxicity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a signal word on most pesticide product labels. They also require it to be printed on the front panel, in all capital letters, to make it easy for users to find. The only pesticide products that are not required to display a signal word are those that fall into the lowest toxicity category by all routes of exposure (oral, dermal, inhalation, and other effects like eye and skin irritation).
CAUTION means the pesticide product is slightly toxic if eaten, absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or it causes slight eye or skin irritation.
Figure 1. Part of a pesticide label with the signal word “CAUTION”.
WARNING indicates the pesticide product is moderately toxic if eaten, absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or it causes moderate eye or skin irritation. AVISO, the Spanish word for WARNING, must also appear on the label.
Figure 2. Part of a pesticide label with the signal word “WARNING”.
DANGER means that the pesticide product is highly toxic by at least one route of exposure. It may be corrosive, causing irreversible damage to the skin or eyes. Alternatively, it may be highly toxic if eaten, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. If this is the case, then the word "POISON" must also be included in red letters on the front panel of the product label. PELIGRO, the Spanish word for DANGER must also appear on the label.
DANGER – POISON means that the product is highly toxic by any route of entry into the body. These products can cause death in very low doses. These words are always accompanied by a skull and crossbones symbol. PELIGRO, the Spanish word for DANGER must also appear on the label. “Poison” must be in red letters.
Figure 3. Part of a pesticide label with the signal word “DANGER”.
How are signal words useful?
Signal words help alert users to special hazards of a pesticide product. The signal word can be used by shoppers to select the least toxic product(s) of those that are sufficiently effective.
Regardless of the signal word on the pesticide product, it is important to remember that every product still has the potential to poison (i.e., is harmful at high doses). Special care should be taken to carefully follow all of the directions on the label, each time a pesticide product is used.
Signal Words are required for all registered pesticides except those that meet Toxicity Category IV (meaning it is practically nontoxic and not an irritant). In these cases, at the manufacturer’s discretion, the Signal Word CAUTION may be included on the label.
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) provides an infographic abut signal words http://npic.orst.edu/outreach/SW-infographic.png.
Identify this insect.
Answer: Glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis.
Photo: C. Wulmer.
Congratulations to Master Pest Detective
Bill Simonson, Glendale Water Services Department
On what pesticide-related sign can you see this image?
If you know the answer, email Dawn at dhgouge@arizona.edu. You will not win anything if you are correct, but you will be listed as a “Master Pest Detective” in the next newsletter issue.
Arizona Pest Professional Organization and University of Arizona invite you to attend the annual Southwest Termite Academy at Maricopa Agricultural Center, September 24th & 25th, 2024. Choose Day 1 or Day 2, and same 6 CEUs each day.
Register here: https://www.azppo.org/event-5819424
Dates Confirmed! Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Seminars for Turf and Landscapes, organized by the UA Turfgrass Science Program.
Tuesday, November 21st at Ocotillo Golf Club Pavilion, 3751 S. Clubhouse Drive, Chandler AZ 85248.
Wednesday, November 22nd at Lecture Hall, Recreation Centers of Sun City West, 19803 R.H. Johnson Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375.
Both events will feature the same content, with presentations by experts on various aspects of turf and landscape pest management and pesticide safety. Six AZ Dept. of Ag. ESD (Ag.), PMD (OPM) and GCSAA CEUs will be applied for.
Registration and more information coming soon!
EPA Webinars about Integrated Pest Management
Upcoming webinar: Invasive Aquatic Plants (Part 1): Purple Loosestrife (#116)
October 8, 2024 | 11:00 am -12:00 PM Arizona.
Purple loosestrife is one of the most invasive aquatic perennial plants in the U.S. Native to Europe and Asia and it has made its way to nearly every U.S. state and Canadian province. Dense stands outcompete native plants for habitat which results in changes to ecosystem function such as reductions in nesting sites, shelter, and food for birds, fish, and wildlife, as well as an overall decline in biodiversity. This webinar will examine the current state of biological control for this pest.
Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1509224185826533462
View recordings of archived EPA Integrated Pest Management Webinars at https://www.epa.gov/managing-pests-schools/upcoming-integrated-pest-management-webinars.
For more information about the EPA Schools program: http://www.epa.gov/schools/
What’s Bugging You? First Friday Events (New York State IPM Program)
Fridays | 12:00 pm. – 12:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free but registration required.
In this monthly virtual series, we explore timely topics to help you use integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. What is IPM? It's a wholistic approach that uses different tools and practices to not only reduce pest problems, but to also address the reasons why pests are there in the first place. Each month, our speakers will share practical information about how you can use IPM. Register for upcoming events.
What’s Bugging You First Friday events are also available in Spanish. Individuals interested in these events can find more information on this website: https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/events/whats-bugging-you-webinars/conozca-su-plaga
Urban and Community IPM Webinars (Host: University of California)
UC Statewide IPM Program Urban and Community webinar series is held the third Thursday of every month to teach about pest identification, prevention and management around the home and garden. This series is free but advanced registration is required. Dates and topics below, all begin at noon Pacific. https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucipm-community-webinars/
The next International IPM Symposium will be held March 3-6, 2025, at Paradise Point in San Diego.
To make the content more meaningful, prospective attendees are being asked to full out a three-question survey about potential public health, community and structural IPM topics they'd like to hear more about at the symposium.
To view previous University of Arizona newsletters, visit: https://acis.cals.arizona.edu/community-ipm/home-and-school-ipm-newsletters.
Acknowledgements
This material is in part funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2021-70006-35385 that provides Extension IPM funding to the University of Arizona. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or those of other funders.
We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.
