[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT TOXIC RISKS TO THEIR CHILDREN'S 
                                 HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
will help protect our children from illness and disease that can result 
from chemical exposure to pesticides. My legislation, the School 
Environment Protection (SEPA) Act, addresses the need for schools to 
provide protective action from the effects of pesticide use in school 
buildings and on school grounds.
  Parents entrust their children's safety to schools and have the right 
to know what toxic substances their children are being exposed to. 
There are safe alternatives to the use of dangerous chemicals as 
pesticides and herbicides. This bill would encourage schools to use 
integrated pest management techniques that have proven to be safe and 
effective. In the event that potentially dangerous chemicals would have 
to be used, this Right to Know Act will require our schools to inform 
parents of any risk to which their children would be exposed. My 
proposal will take simple steps to ensure children's safety in the 
place where they spend most of their time, school.
  When it comes to pesticide exposure, children are one of the least 
protected groups. Due to their small size, children take in more 
pesticides relative to their body weight than adults and are also less 
likely to detoxify toxic chemicals through their still developing organ 
systems.
  The National Academy of Sciences Report, Pesticides in the Diets of 
Infants and Children, found that the current EPA generally lacks data 
on children's susceptibility to pesticide exposure that would allow 
them to provide adequate standards necessary to protect children. The 
EPA is beginning the process to review pesticides, however, this could 
take them months or even years. Meanwhile, schools are frequently using 
pesticides that have the potential to harm our children's physical and 
mental development. Maryland schools reported 94% of their school 
districts surveyed used pesticides that have been linked to cancer. 
Similar results were yielded in California with 93% of its school 
districts surveyed using pesticides known for causing cancer. This 
usage can be a serious detriment to our children's health. We do not 
have time to wait for the EPA's results. According to the National 
Cancer Institute, childhood cancer has increased over 1 percent a year. 
Too many of our children's health and lives are at risk now and in the 
future.
  Studies have shown that children living in households where 
pesticides are used suffered elevated rates of soft tissue sarcoma, 
leukemia and brain cancer. A study done by Childhood Leukemia and 
Parents' Occupational and Home Exposures found that in homes where 
pesticides were used a 3.8-fold higher risk of childhood leukemia was 
likely and when pesticides were used in the garden a 6.5-fold higher 
risk was reported.
  Some states have taken action to combat this ever-growing problem, 
however state protection is uneven and children in 20 states have no 
protection at all from these potentially deadly chemicals.
  My SEPA legislation will require the use of the safest pesticides in 
and around our schools. All pesticides that have been determined to 
cause cancer, mutations, neurological and immune system effects and 
other serious toxic effects will be excluded from use in schools. 
Schools may use conventional pesticides if less toxic substances cannot 
control or prevent a pest as long as the school community is given at 
least 24 hours notice of application.
  Several national and regional groups have already come out in support 
of my bill. This includes the National Education Association, 
Children's Health Environment Coalition, Citizens for a Better 
Environment, New Jersey Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and 
the New Jersey Environmental Federation.
  SEPA will force our nation to better protect all our children from 
unnecessary chemical effects and assist our youth in living healthier, 
longer lives. I urge all my colleagues to join in this ``Right to 
Know'' effort by supporting the School Environmental Protection Act.

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