Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

RE: Support H.R. 111, the School Environment Protection Act

Dear Senator ,

Most U.S. school children spend their developmental years in schools that have been heavily treated with toxic pesticides, yet no national protections or standards exist to safeguard these young people. I urge you to cosponsor and support H.R. 111, the School Environment Protection Act (SEPA), which would correct this situation and ensure national leadership in protecting children from a daily dose of toxic chemicals in their classrooms, playgrounds and ballfields.

Children are especially sensitive to pesticide exposures because they take in more pesticides relative to their body weight than adults and have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic chemicals. Even at low levels, exposure to pesticides can cause serious adverse health effects. Numerous studies document that children exposed to pesticides suffer elevated rates of childhood leukemia, soft tissue sarcoma and brain cancer. Studies also link pesticides to childhood asthma, respiratory problems, and inability to concentrate.

SEPA creates incentives for schools to use integrated pest management practices that do not rely on toxic pesticides. The tools and experience to control school pests without using toxic chemicals are available nationwide and have proven to be effective and economical. Under the bill, if toxic pesticides are used in a school, parents, guardians, and staff will receive advance notice of use and information on product hazards. The notification provisions are crucial to parent involvement.

The majority of school children in the U.S. remain unprotected. The time is right for national protection. SEPA will provide a safer and healthier environment for our children to learn. Please cosponsor H.R. 111 and dedicate yourself to its passage and enactment into law.

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