Cancer-linked pesticides used in schools - new survey

Children may be exposed to at least four potentially cancer causing pesticides that are being used in UK schools, according to the findings of a new survey released on 14 January 2010 by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Pesticides Action Network (PAN).

The snapshot of English, Welsh and Scottish school authorities also revealed that 7 of the pesticides used in schools may have other serious negative health impacts.

The survey also showed that 47% of local authorities who responded would like schools to go pesticide free. Pesticides may play a role in several types of cancer - those affecting children including acute lymphocytic Leukaemia, brain cancer and others, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer and testicular cancer – all have been rising in incidence over more than three decades.

The Government is about to launch a consultation on its National Plans for pesticide use. This survey shows that these plans must include a ban on hazardous pesticide use in schools.

The HEAL survey of 206 local authorities revealed:

 The pesticides being used include Dichlobenil – identified as possible cancer causing carcinogen; Oxadiazon classified as possible carcinogen and toxic to development; Sulfosulfuron, classified as likely to be carcinogenic, and the possible carcinogen mecoprop;

 A third of respondents said they could not give details of pesticides used in their schools;

 Only a third of schools and pupils were warned when pesticides were being used in schools or nearby by farmers or contractors;

 More than half of the respondents to the survey wanted to know more about pesticide residues in school food; and

 36% wanted their food tested for residues.

Further information

Full survey results will be made available here

Removing the risk of cancer to school-aged children, who are uniquely vulnerable while their organs are growing, must be a high priority. Some suggested alternatives could be costly but one survey respondent proposes how this could be done: “..... With budgets as they are seems as good an alternative as there is along with schools learning to "live with their weeds" a bit.“ In North America, many schools are already pesticide free. In the UK, the Food For Life programme and Garden Organic Schools work has resulted in hundreds of schools reducing pesticide exposure for their pupils.

HEAL is proposing that Local authorities protect children by implementing a ban on pesticide spraying in schools and school grounds in 2010, and that the UK government’s pesticide National Action Plans - due for public consultation in January, include:

 Setting an early date for the phase out of the use of all pesticides in school grounds and playing fields as part of the UK National Action Plan on pesticide use.

 Requiring local authorities and independent school bodies to collate information on pesticide use in schools and on areas used regularly by schools, such as parks and sports utilities;

 Providing resources for authorities to use alternatives to pesticides.

HEAL and PAN also recommend that the UK Government support the phase out of all potentially carcinogenic and other hazardous pesticides (at EU level) by 2012 and that school authorities be given the budgets and advice to access pesticide free, organic food options where available.

The survey also highlights the need for more action to protect children from the effect of biocides, such as rat and cockroach poisons, since hazardous biocides were being used in schools (Bromadiolone is classified as extremely hazardous, and Aluminium Phosphide as moderately toxic.). The current revision of the EU Biocides Law needs to be strengthened to protect health, monitor use, and ensure effective information for the public.

Vicki Hird, HEAL Sick of Pesticides Campaigner says,

“This is a hidden menace – carcinogens may be used where children play and learn, as this survey reveals. But it is an avoidable menace - so here’s the New Year’s resolution for local authorities – pesticide free schools. And the UK government must move quickly to eliminate the possible carcinogens from schools and help local authorities go pesticide free in their buildings grounds and in the food they serve to children. ”

Nick Mole of Pesticides Action Networks says,

“New legislation requires European Member States to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides in areas frequented by vulnerable groups such as children. This should be a priority for the UK Government. It does not need to be expensive or difficult but would help to reduce children’s exposure to toxic chemicals."

Contact Vicki Hird Sick of Pesticides Campaign 07903478249 vicki@env-health.org . PAN contact Nick Mole 07906892648. HEAL media contact: Diana Smith 0033633042943

 Health and Environment Alliance

 For HEAL`s Shools and Pesticides Briefing click here

 Cancer Prevention & Education Society

Related EPHA Articles

ECHA increases REACH list of dangerous chemicals

Consumers’ right to know about harmful chemicals in products

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) inaugurated