News

(Editors: Note interview, photo opportunities at 10:30 a.m. press conference today.)

SACRAMENTO – On January 1, a new law signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger will give parents the right to know what pesticides may be used at their children's private day care centers. The new law affects about 600 day care operators and hundreds of pest control businesses that serve day care centers.

It extends existing pesticide requirements in public schools and day care centers to privately run day care facilities. It also requires licensed pest control businesses to submit detailed reports on their pesticide applications at day care centers.

California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams and Department of Pesticide Regulation Director Mary–Ann Warmerdam will discuss the new law at an informal press conference at 10:30 a.m. today at Discovery Tree Schools, in the California Environmental Protection Agency, 1001 I St., Sacramento.

"Cal/EPA has made the protection of children a top priority in our efforts to reduce public exposures to toxic chemicals," said Adams. "This law will encourage day care operators to consider least-toxic pest management as their first option, instead of turning to chemical solutions."

Added Warmerdam, "DPR has already seen how integrated pest management (IPM) helps public schools adopt preventive strategies that reduce or eliminate pesticide use. This law gives DPR the lead role in promoting the use of IPM to more day care operators and parents of pre–schoolers."

The new law, AB 2865, applies only to businesses that operate private day care centers; family day care centers are exempt. It extends protections first implemented in public schools and day care centers under the Healthy Schools Act of 2000.

The law was sponsored by the advocacy group Environment California and carried by Assembly Member Alberto Torrico (D-Newark), said Torrico, "Children exposed to pesticides during critical stages of development may suffer permanent, irreversible damage. This new law will ensure that California's children in day care get the fullest possible protection against exposure to pesticides."

Among the law′s provisions:

• Day care facility staff and parents may register for advance notification about pesticide applications.

• The facility must post notices at each area where pesticides are to be applied, 24 hours in advance and remaining in place for 72 hours afterward.

• Each facility must keep publicly available records of pesticide use for four years.

• Licensed pest control businesses must report annually to DPR on applications to private day care centers (except for family child day care homes).

DPR has extensive Web resources to help school administrators, day care operators, teachers, parents and others understand the challenges of pest management in schools and reduced-risk options for classrooms, cafeterias, and playgrounds.

Fact sheet on AB 2865.

Overview of School IPM includes details about the Healthy Schools Act, and related topics.

One of six departments and boards within the California Environmental Protection Agency, DPR regulates the sale and use of pesticides to protect people and the environment.