CHEMICALS IN VERMONT’S CLASSROOMS PESTICIDES AND MAINTENANCE CHEMICALS IN VERMONT SCHOOLS

Our society has increased its use of pesticides by over 50 percent in the last 30 years. This over-reliance on toxic chemicals has led to a myriad of public health problems including tainted drinking water, air pollution and increased illnesses in humans. Children in particular are at great risk from toxic chemicals due to their play habits and the incomplete development of their immune systems. In addition, while children are exposed to the same amount of toxic chemicals through food, water and air as adults, they have less body mass to break down and absorb contaminants. Since children spend much of their time on schoolgrounds, a school that uses pesticides and toxic maintenance chemicals may represent a major portion of a child’s total exposure to these toxins. In recent years there have been numerous examples from throughout the United States of children suffering acute and chronic health effects due to toxic chemical exposure while at school.