From the people who made the Dandelion America's # 1 yard enemy 
(enabling them to sell tons of hazardous toxins to innocent families)

Now here to re-write history on the dangers of Pests vs. Pesticides
The pesticide producers idea of School IPM 
(Include Pesticides Monthly) 

(It is better for their bottom line... always profits before people)

This letter is apparently being sent to hundreds if not thousands of school districts in the United States and probably other countries.  We have included what we call "reality checks" for your convenience and amazement.  Each "Reality Check" opens a new browser window.  Just close the window to return to this document.

Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment®

August 31, 2000

Dear [School Administrator]

If it's your responsibility to maintain a clean, safe and healthy school environment, you know the important role pesticides play as part of your overall facility management, Leading researchers, scientists and even doctors like C. Everett Koop agree that pesticides pose no risk to the health of children or adults when used according to label instructions.   

[Reality Check - Pesticides and label instructions]

[Reality Check - Professional Pest Control People Speak]

[Reality Check - Physicians urge Congress to stop the pesticides]

I'm sure that you will agree that pesticides are a valuable tool in protecting the health and safety of children an your school properties.

[Reality Check - Poisoned Minds]

At times, you may find it important to let others know pesticides protect children from the health and safety risks posed by pests such as cockroaches, rodents, poison ivy and lice. 

[Reality Check - Toxins and Kids]

[Reality Check - Cockroaches and Asthma]

[Reality Check - Kids-At-Risk]

If or when a pesticide issue arises in your school. we invite you to share these facts with parents, teachers and students:

1 .        Without pesticides, pests pose a serious health and safety risk to children and adults.  Cockroaches, ants, flies, fleas, lice, mosquitoes, ticks, wasps and rodents are serious health concerns due to their bites, stings and ability to transmit diseases.   

[Reality Check - Children as lab rats]

[Reality Check - Effect of Pesticides on Children]

2.            Pesticides are extensively tested and highly regulated.
Every pesticide must successfully complete as many as 120 government-mandated tests before the Environmental Protection Agency considers label approval and product registration.  The entire development and testing process takes eight - 10 years at a manufacturer's cost of $35 - $50 million or more per product.  On average, only one in 20,000 potential products ever make it to the marketplace.

[Reality Check - Testing Flawed]

[Reality Check - Scientists Don't Know]

[Reality Check - Pesticides Unsafe even after testing and registration]

3.            Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Is best.  
To control pests, methods such as sanitation, structural repair and maintenance, watering and mowing practices and judicious use of pesticides should be used.  A balanced approach, which includes the use of pesticides as necessary, is one that will assure health and safety for children and adults.  Pesticides should not be considered for emergency use only.  The purpose of responsible pest control is to prevent emergencies, if your school has implemented IPM, promote it!  

[Reality Check - pesticides are necessary]

[Reality Check - Pesticide Emergency]

[Reality Check - Toxic Schools]

Please refer to the information enclosed with this letter.  Additional resources you can turn to for more information about the use of pesticides in schools, children's health and IPM include:

• Pest Facts Information Center ( www.pestfacts.org visit this web site for information about children's health in schools, IPM and the risks posed by pests.

• School IPM website ( www.ifas.ufl.edu/~schoolipm/ ) - The University of Florida, Gainesville, has created an IPM website that provides tools for schools to begin an IPM program.  The site responds to parental concerns regarding pesticide use and contains links to additional state IPM programs.

Thanks for your time and please let us know if we can provide you with any additional information.

Reality Check:  What the Pesticide Industry has in mind

Sincerely

 /s/

Allen James
Executive Director
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
(202) 872-3860
allen@acpa.org

*(Note:  drkoop.com is to be heavily supported by chemical companies which might explain its position on the necessity of pesticide poisons in schools.)