HB5234 Passes Senate Unanimously
from Jerome Silbert MD,Watershed Partnership Director:
BILL TO PROTECT SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM TOXIC LAWN PESTICIDES PASSES SENATE UNANIMOUSLY
NOW FACES 2ND HOUSE VOTE
(Hartford, CT) On Wednesday, May 23rd, the Senate voted unanimously to support HB 5234, An Act Banning Pesticide Use on School Grounds. Connecticut officials, health professionals and child advocates are urging swift passage of the bill through the House now as the final days of the session approach. The bill, which passed the House with overwhelming support on a vote of 145-2 earlier this month, would phase out the use of lawn pesticides in primary and middle schools up to 8th grade thereby preventing harm to student and school worker health. Minor amendments relating to enforcement were added to the bill version passed by the Senate so the bill must return to the House for a final vote before session’s end.
“We are so close to achieving historic and broadly supported protections for Connecticut’s school children,” said Jerome Silbert, M.D., Executive Director of The Watershed Partnership. “But with time running out, it is now up to the leadership of the House to see that the bill is passed this session.”
Lawn pesticides are associated with a range of health impacts and disorders including certain cancers, asthma, birth defects, nervous system damage, and disruption of hormones essential for growth and development. Children are considered more vulnerable to health damage from pesticides because their organs, nervous and immune systems are still developing, they have a higher respiratory rate and inhale pesticides at a faster rate than adults, and they take in more pesticides in proportion to their body weight than adults.
“We know that safer alternatives to lawn pesticides help protect children and workers’ health,” said Tim Morse, Ph.D., CPE , spokesperson for Connecticut Public Health Association. “This bill should be a top priority for the legislature. A few minutes’ attention in the House will produce a lasting achievement in children’s health this session.”
Labels: legislation, pesticides
