Senate approves Integrated Pest Managment Bill
Means healthier, cost-effective pesticide management techniques for all schools in Oregon - reduces unnecessary exposure to potentially harmful pesticides
Yesterday , the Oregon Senate approved a sweeping new bill that will create healthier school environments by requiring that public and private Oregon K-12 schools and community colleges adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policies. Many, many thanks go out to everyone who wrote their legislator in support of this bill! The bill now goes to the Oregon House of Representatives for committee review.
Integrated Pest Management is an effective and environmentally sensitive way to control pests and weeds that results in effective suppression of pest populations while minimizing human health and environmental hazards. Put simply, IPM is a safer and often less costly option for effective pest management. IPM uses common sense strategies to reduce sources of food, water and shelter for pests in buildings and grounds.
The Oregon Environmental Council championed this bill and was joined by a diverse group of organizations to support Integrated Pest Management in Schools through SB 637: AFT-Oregon, American Lung Association in Oregon, Children First for Oregon, Community Health Partnership, Healthy Kids Learn Better Coalition, Oregon Center for Environmental Health, Nurse Practitioners of Oregon, Oregon Education Association, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Public Health Association, Oregon School Employees Association, Oregon Toxics Alliance, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Oregon Chapter, Project: Children, SEIU-Local 503, and others.
