House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

May 9, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Reps. Floren, Gibbons and Powers Applaud House Approval to Extending Pesticide Ban in Schools

 

“To Protect Our Kids From Harmful Chemicals”

 

State Representative Livvy R. Floren (R-149th District), Lile R. Gibbons, (R-150th District) and Claudia “Dolly” Powers, (R- 151st District today) hailed final House passage of a bi-partisan proposal to extend a ban on the use of pesticides at day care and elementary schools to middle and high schools.

 

House Bill 5234, An Act Banning Pesticide Use in Middle And High Schools, was approved by a vote of –to -- in the State House of Representatives.

Rep. Powers said, "Any perceived benefits of pesticide products must always be weighed against their dangers. Unnecessary exposures should be eliminated if we are to protect human health.”

“This is a reasonable proposal to protect school age children from lawn pesticides while they play. Children are more vulnerable to the risks of cancer, immune disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders than adults and anything the state does to prevent such exposure to chemicals is to be commended,” said Rep. Floren.

Rep. Lile Gibbons said, “Thanks to Rachel Carson who warned us of the long-term harm of DDT, we stopped spraying that toxic chemical on our trees and fields.  We know that contact with pesticides and chemicals are not compatible with healthy living.  It is time to err on the side of caution and ban these pesticides from use anyplace our children and grandchildren learn and play.”

Rep. Floren co-sponsored the current law in 2005 which restricted the use of lawn care pesticides at public and private preschools, elementary schools, child day care centers and group day care homes. A child day care center is defined as providing care to more than 12 children and for group day care homes who provide care to, between seven and 12 children. This law went into affect January 1, 2006 except for emergencies and completely bans their application starting July 1, 2008.

Under current law, a lawn care pesticide as a pesticide registered by the EPA and labeled according to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act for lawn, garden, and ornamental use.