The School Children's Health Act
A guide for parents from Toxic Free NC

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The School Children’s Health Act was created by Toxic Free NC and a coalition of NC children’s health advocates to reduce health risks to students and staff from several toxic substances in schools. It became law in North Carolina on October 1, 2006 and in October 2011, it takes full effect for all the state’s public schools, including charter schools.

The law requires NC public schools to adopt state-of-the art Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs that focus on common sense pest prevention and least-toxic methods for pest control at school, both indoors and out.

IPM is important for schools because it dramatically reduces risks from pesticides in the school environment. Most schools report that IPM costs less than conventional pest control programs. IPM is also more effective than spray programs for ridding a school of common pests like cockroaches and the allergens they leave behind.

Is your school making the grade?

1. IPM POLICY. All school boards must adopt an IPM Policy by October 1, 2011.
   
   
2. IPM PROGRAM. By October 1, 2011 all public school systems must implement IPM programs to effectively control pests like ants, roaches and weeds while minimizing pesticide use.
   
   
3. NOTIFICATION. Beginning October 1, 2006, schools must notify all parents and staff annually about the school’s IPM program. Schools must give 72 hours advance notice of any potentially hazardous pesticide applications to any parents and staff who request notification. Check your annual notice for notification instructions. Low-risk pesticide applications such as baits and traps are exempt from notification requirements.

What can parents and teachers do?

1. ANNUAL NOTICE. Look for an annual pest management notice from your school that describes its IPM program. If you don't see one, call your school to get a copy.
   
   
2. GET NOTIFIED. You have the right to 72 hours advance notice of certain types of pesticide applications, but only if you request the notification. Call your school to request a notification form if you don’t receive one in your annual notice.
   
   
3. ASK QUESTIONS. Who is in charge of pest control at your school? Are they using IPM as required by the School Children’s Health Act? Where can you find the school’s policy on pest control and pesticides? Don’t be shy! Ask questions about pest management at your school.

Other Toxics Covered by the School Children's Health Act

Mercury

1. The law directs local school districts to prohibit the use of bulk elemental mercury in science classrooms.

Arsenic-Treated Wood

1. NO NEW TREATED WOOD. Schools may no longer purchase or accept donations of arsenic-treated wood for play structures, landscaping or picnic areas.
   
   
2. SEAL EXISTING TREATED WOOD. Schools must either seal any arsenic-treated wood structures or establish a timeline for its removal, according to guidelines issued by the NC Board of Education. Schools are encouraged to test soil for contamination in areas where children are at a high risk for exposure.

Diesel Fumes

1. Schools must reduce student exposure to diesel emissions by restricting idling time and nose-to-tail parking and idling of school buses. All districts are reportedly already in compliance with state guidelines.

Mold and Mildew

1. The NC Board of Education developed guidelines for new school construction to prevent and mitigate mold issues. The guidelines are available online.

Questions?

More information about the School Children's Health Act

If you have any concerns about your school’s IPM program, please contact Toxic Free NC (1-888-NO-SPRAY).

Detailed guidelines, sample notification forms and more information about IPM are available for free from Toxic Free NC (1-888-NO-SPRAY), the NC State University School IPM Program (919-513-3805) and the NC Department of Public Instruction.

More information about the toxics covered by the School Children's Health Act

If you have questions or concerns about your school's compliance with the law on the toxic substances listed above, first contact your school's administration.

Detailed guidelines for these improvements are available from the State Department of Public Instruction.