Learning and Poisons Don’t Mix

No child should be exposed to dangerous pesticides or herbicides, so the decision by the Los Angeles school district to phase out use of these poisonous substances in school buildings and on school grounds makes good sense, so long as the policy is meticulously implemented.

The stringent “least toxic” policy approved by the school board Tuesday is the strongest in the state and was adopted with heavy support from parents concerned about asthma and other childhood health problems linked to hazardous environments. The new regulations, drafted in part by members of Physicians for Social Responsibility, could become a national model.

Putting the policy into practice will require increased staffing. The board approved funding for additional gardeners and weeding equipment. Hand-weeding play areas and grassy campus borders will take longer than spraying chemical weed killers, as is now done, but should pay off in decreased risks to students.

Reducing the use of pesticides and toxic chemicals at district schools will also require a strong commitment to cleanliness in cafeterias. This means more frequent steam cleaning behind ovens and refrigerators in school kitchens and sealing off any openings that could allow in ants, cockroaches and other bugs. This also means more manual labor.

The new policy should result in a ban on food anyplace on campus other than cafeterias and other specified dining areas. Policing eating areas is already a challenge. Some students ignore trash cans and toss empty food and juice containers almost anywhere on the grounds. That means more bugs. Only greater student concern and staff vigilance can reduce littering. This effort and more will be necessary to eliminate pesticide sprays.

A suggestion: Foster support of students and parents by rating cleanliness in school cafeterias, much as the county Health Department rates restaurants with an A, B or C.