Web site - Four PA Organizations Receive Children's Environmental Health Awards

Four PA Organizations Receive Children's Environmental Health Awards - April 2005

April 21, 2005

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded fifteen organizations, including four from Pennsylvania, for their outstanding leadership in protecting children from environmental risks.

The recipients were recognized at the First Annual Children's Environmental Health Excellence Awards Ceremony on April 21 in Washington, D.C. The EPA has steadily increased its efforts on protecting infants and children, who are more susceptible than adults to some environmental risks, because their nervous, immune, digestive and other systems are still developing.

This year's fifteen winners demonstrate strong commitment to children's environmental health. Pennsylvania recipients included:

Pittsburgh Public Schools, Integrated Pest Management Program, Pittsburgh, PA
Maternity Care Coalition, Healthy at Home, Philadelphia, PA
Newton Public Schools, Integrated Pest Management Program, Newtonville, PA
Women's Health and Environmental Network, Philadelphia, PA

Several of the recipients of the Children's Environmental Health Awards are also IPM STAR certified by the IPM Institute of North America in recognition of their integrated pest management (IPM) program, including Pittsburgh and Newton Public Schools. According to Dr. Thomas Green, president of the IPM Institute of North America, IPM STAR certification is a rigorous process that includes an on-site inspection by an independent professional trained in IPM. IPM is a kid-safe, economical and scientific, step-wise approach to pest management. It integrates knowledge of pest identity and biology with pest monitoring so that actions, if any, can be taken at just the right time. In addition, IPM uses a combination of management tactics such as biological, cultural, physical and chemical that is more likely to be safe and effective. Emphasis is placed on prevention of problems by eliminating conditions conducive to pest entry and survival, with pesticide use as a last resort.

Legislation passed in 2003 requires all Pennsylvania public schools to provide notification to parents, students and teachers in advance of pesticide applications and requires schools to adopt an IPM plan to manage their pest problems both in and out of the classroom. In addition, the least toxic, shortest duration and most effective material is used. Pesticides are not applied when students, teachers or staff are present in the affected areas to assure the safety of the school-learning environment.

The Pennsylvania IPM Program (PA IPM) has long been a supporter of children's health and works to help schools implement IPM practices in collaboration with Penn State's Colleges of Agriculture and Education, and Pennsylvania's Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health. PA IPM staff works with students and teachers in Pennsylvania to teach IPM and how to use IPM concepts effectively in class by giving talks, workshops and short courses. The program has also coordinated with many other organizations and schools for special projects, such as developing a service learning program at Shaw Middle School in West Philadelphia. The program also has worked closely with Pittsburgh Public Schools to develop their EPA award-winning IPM program for the last several years.

Maria Moio, pest control operator and IPM coordinator for the Pittsburgh School District, initially had reservations about starting an IPM program in an urban setting. "I thought we would have a lot of obstacles to overcome, and ultimately it wouldn't work," she says. While she admits it can be costly to get an IPM program off the ground, she feels it's well worth it in the long-term. "We've found the savings to be tremendous, we're more than getting our initial investment out of the program. I also like the fact that we've been able to reduce our pesticide use, which is better for everyone involved," Moio explains. Their efforts enabled Pittsburgh Public Schools to become the fifth IPM STAR certified school district in the nation and the first in Pennsylvania last year.

"The IPM STAR certification program and The Children's Environmental Health Awards are a natural fit," says Dr. Green. "Both are designed to increase awareness, stimulate activity and recognize efforts that protect children from environmental health risks at the local, regional, national and international level."

For more information on the IPM STAR program, go to Web site http://www.ipminstitute.org/ipmstar.htm. For a complete list of The Children's Environmental Health Awards recipients and a description of their programs, visit Web site http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/2005_CEH_Awards.htm.

The PA IPM Program is a collaboration between Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting IPM in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. The program's Web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/ contains a wealth of information and resources for schools adopting IPM programs. By clicking on the "Schools" link, visitors also can download "IPM for Pennsylvania Schools, A How-To Manual." The link also leads to information about the school IPM effort in Pennsylvania and to educational materials from across the country. In addition, the site offers an interactive database to assist teachers with IPM background information, lesson plans and support materials from throughout the United States.