Senate Bill 637

Senate Bill 637 is on its way to the Senate floor!!

The Integrated Pest Management in schools bill, Senate Bill 637, is on its way to the Senate floor. The bill was approved by the Senate Education and General Government Committee on a unanimous vote late Friday.

Today we're one step closer to healthier school environments for our kids to learn in, as well as effective, common-sense pest control for our schools. Pesticides commonly used in Oregon schools have been associated with cancer, reproductive problems, and nervous system damage. Children can be exposed to pesticides by playing on floors, lawns, and play areas, eating pesticide-treated foods, or by handling treated pets.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 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 usually 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. IPM is also a big part of the proposal put together by OEC for the Healthy Schools Act.