We are proud to support Assembly Bill 468, Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), regarding Organic Landscape Management Practices also known as the "Children's School Environment Act (CSEA)."
Sponsored by the California Guild and co-sponsored by Non Toxic Communities and Beyond Pesticides, AB 468 is an important measure designed to protect children from toxic pesticide exposure at public schoolsites and day care centers across California through utilizing organic landscape management practices in outdoor places including playgrounds, turf, and athletic fields.
Why do we need this legislation?
Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Their bodies and brains are still developing and even small environmental exposures can damage these delicate systems. California's children are experiencing chronic illness and neurodevelopmental disorders at increasing rates. Hundreds of thousands of students are receiving special education services in the state. source
Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, motor delays, and learning disabilities have all been associated with early chemical exposures. This includes more subtle deficits such as slightly lowered IQ and subclinical learning or attention problems. Even small cognitive deficits can have important consequences for long-term academic success and productivity, particularly when viewed at the level of impacts on society. source
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation reports that in 2016, 742 organizations submitted school pesticide use reports and 927 different EPA registered pesticide products were used on schoolsites. source
Using toxic products for school landscapes is an unnecessary risk for students as well as staff. Even minuscule exposures to regularly used products are increasingly being shown in epidemiological studies to cause physical, developmental, and reproductive harm. Neurodevelopmental disorders impair children’s behavior and ability to learn and function. These health challenges also burden families and taxpayers financially.
AB 468 will help protect California’s children
In the face of rising expenses and educational challenges to districts required to care for the skyrocketing numbers of children with chronic illness, it makes good sense to reconsider our use of toxic pesticides.
District use of pesticides not only unnecessarily exposes the children and staff but also pollutes our environment and waterways. By implementing organic practices, districts will save water and field safety will improve, as has been proven by Irvine— 3 years running. These measures will also help schools to comply with new state storm runoff regulations.
Read a summary of AB468
Sign our petition to legislators in support
Learn more about children's health and environmental exposures here.
Sponsored by the California Guild and co-sponsored by Non Toxic Communities and Beyond Pesticides, AB 468 is an important measure designed to protect children from toxic pesticide exposure at public schoolsites and day care centers across California through utilizing organic landscape management practices in outdoor places including playgrounds, turf, and athletic fields.
Why do we need this legislation?
Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Their bodies and brains are still developing and even small environmental exposures can damage these delicate systems. California's children are experiencing chronic illness and neurodevelopmental disorders at increasing rates. Hundreds of thousands of students are receiving special education services in the state. source
Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, motor delays, and learning disabilities have all been associated with early chemical exposures. This includes more subtle deficits such as slightly lowered IQ and subclinical learning or attention problems. Even small cognitive deficits can have important consequences for long-term academic success and productivity, particularly when viewed at the level of impacts on society. source
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation reports that in 2016, 742 organizations submitted school pesticide use reports and 927 different EPA registered pesticide products were used on schoolsites. source
Using toxic products for school landscapes is an unnecessary risk for students as well as staff. Even minuscule exposures to regularly used products are increasingly being shown in epidemiological studies to cause physical, developmental, and reproductive harm. Neurodevelopmental disorders impair children’s behavior and ability to learn and function. These health challenges also burden families and taxpayers financially.
AB 468 will help protect California’s children
In the face of rising expenses and educational challenges to districts required to care for the skyrocketing numbers of children with chronic illness, it makes good sense to reconsider our use of toxic pesticides.
District use of pesticides not only unnecessarily exposes the children and staff but also pollutes our environment and waterways. By implementing organic practices, districts will save water and field safety will improve, as has been proven by Irvine— 3 years running. These measures will also help schools to comply with new state storm runoff regulations.
Read a summary of AB468
Sign our petition to legislators in support
Learn more about children's health and environmental exposures here.