School officials claim chemicals used are safe and don’t
threaten children’s health
Morgan Hill – The chemicals used on Morgan Hill Unified School District campuses are pesticides anyone could use at home, according to district officials.
District leaders also claim the pesticides are used in compliance with the Healthy Schools Act of 2000, passed by state lawmakers concerned about chemicals that could harm the health of children.
The act requires that school districts meet right-to-know requirements such as posting, notification and record-keeping for pesticides used at school sites.
“A calendar goes out annually to families in the district containing a list of the pesticides that will be used at the schools and listing an e-mail address and a Web site parents can use to find out more,” said Morgan Hill Unified School District Facilities Supervisor Anessa Pasillas.
Some of the pesticides used in the district include Round Up, Ron Star, Reward, Wasp Killer and Dead Sure.
Parents who are concerned about the pesticides used by the district can visit www.cdpr.ca.gov, the California Department of Pesticide Regulations Web site, or www.pesticideninfor.org.
Pasillas said that the spraying takes place, when possible, when children are not around.
“They generally try to do it when kids are in the classrooms, or if they can, when they’re not on the campus,” Pasillas said. “They don’t do it when the students are out running around, and they try to do it when the schools aren’t in session. But even when they need to do it when the kids are there, the school staffs are good about keeping the kids away from the areas that have been sprayed.”
The school sites have signs posted, she added, 24 hours in advance and remain up for 72 hours afterwards.
Some parents are concerned that even with all the precautions, having the students on campus when the spraying is taking place or shortly after is dangerous.
“If you go on the Web sites and read about some of these chemicals, exposure to them can cause serious problems, developmental problems,” said parent Carol Stern, who said she was concerned after she saw spraying taking place at her child’s school while the students were on campus. The district worker who was spraying, she said, was fully overed in protective clothing, including a mask.
Pasillas said there are times when district employees must spray while students are on campus, but precautions are taken.
Anyone who would like a complete material safety data sheet, which lists all the active ingredients in each of the chemicals used can contact MHUSD Supervisor of Operations Peter McKenna at 778-6071 or visit the Web site www.pesticideninfor.org.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
