Pesticides Pose Risks at Schools, Group Says

Children in some California school districts, including at least three in Orange County, may be exposed to pesticides that have been tied to cancer, according to a report a consumer group issued Wednesday.

According to a survey of the state’s 15 largest school districts, several have no policies requiring written notification or postings that warn of pesticide use on campus. Among those districts were three in Orange County: Santa Ana Unified, Garden Grove Unified and Capistrano Unified. All three, according to the report by the California Public Interest Research Group, use pesticides that are known or probable carcinogens.

“This study is not simply fanning the flames of hysteria,” said Teri Olle, the report’s author. “Parents, teachers and students need to know about what kinds of chemicals are being used in their schools.”

Thirteen of the 15 largest districts responded to the CALPIRG survey about their 1999 pesticide use. The districts represent about 1.4 million students. CALPIRG, whose main office is in Los Angeles, is a nonprofit activist group that focuses on such issues as consumer affairs and the environment.

Larry Seroter, in charge of building services for the Santa Ana district, said it uses only federally approved chemicals. Dan Crawford, assistant superintendent for support services at Capistrano, said pesticides are sprayed only during non-school hours. Officials from Garden Grove did not return calls.

The report said pesticides suspected of causing health problems should be banned until proved safe. “‘We have unnecessarily exposed our children, our most valued resource, to poison,” the report said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.