Kids and Pesticides — Never Together

There are West Orange roots in a "green" conversation happening in Trenton.

The Safe Playing Fields Act, a bill that would ban the use of synthetic pesticides on the grounds of schools, day care centers, parks and recreational fields in New Jersey, is being discussed in the NJ legislature.

West Orange assemblyman and former West Orange mayor John McKeon is an original co-sponsor on the Assembly side.

As chairman for the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste committee, McKeon presided over a Feb. 10 meeting with testimony from supporters and opponents.

 I heard about this bill from Suzanne Aptman, a Montclair resident who co-chairs the Safe Lawns Montclair group and who testified at the Feb. 10 meeting. Her group seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of lawn chemicals and the natural, non-toxic alternatives for creating a beautiful lawn.

When I spoke to McKeon, he said, "New Jersey is pretty good about restricting the use of pesticides at schools and playgrounds but at the end of the day we do use some. There is scientific evidence that pesticides are linked to neurological disorders and asthma. At the end of the day, exposure when kids are growing can't be a good thing."

Currently, pesticide use at NJ schools is limited by a 2002 law requiring schools to use Integrated Pesticide Management (IPM) practices. When higher-impact pesticides are needed as a last resort, the law requires schools to notify parents.

Opponents to the bill say that the bill goes too far because a ban would make it harder and more expensive to maintain safe conditions on high-traffic natural grass sports fields.

Aptman and other supporters of the Child Safe Playing Fields Act think that IPM doesn't go far enough to protect kids from health risks posed by pesticides and that's why the new law is needed.  She testified that affordable, proven non-toxic lawn care protocols are available now and that the risks from any pesticide use are too great.

"The point of the bill is to remove any grey areas. Why take the risk?" said Aptman.

"Pesticide application is always a concern, even when done right in the name of eradicating pests and protecting kids. This bill gives parents security by banning pesticides where kids of all ages congregate," she said.

The new law would ban all use except as an emergency response to immediate threat to human health.

I agree with Aptman. People, pesticides and playing fields don't mix, especially when proven alternatives are available and in use today.

What's more, I don't want us to pick and choose whose kids are protected by allowing pesticide use in some places and not in others.

Luckily for us in West Orange, we don't have to. Bill Kehoe, director of the West Orange Recreation Department said, "The West Orange recreation department and Department of Public Works do not use pesticides at all, at least for 20 years."

Bob Csigi, head of buildings and grounds for the West Orange Department of Education, said that nothing would change for West Orange schools if the ban passed. The athletic fields at the high school are artificial turf so no pesticides are needed to maintain them. Everywhere else, he said, "We don't put down any pesticides. We just don't need it here in West Orange." 

So, West Orange kids are covered but the rest of the state's kids need protection too. I encourage everyone to learn about this bill and let your representatives know how you feel.

Here's how things stand today and more information:

• On Jan. 31, the NJ Senate Environment and Solid Waste committee passed the senate version unanimously with a 5-0 bi-partisan vote. The bill is headed to the Budget committee.
• On Feb. 10, the NJ Assembly Environmental Committee discussed the assembly version but did not vote on it. Listen.
• If you'd like to sign a petition in support of the bill, go here.
•  Similar laws: Connecticut bans pesticides at daycares and schools, kindergarten through eighth grade. New York bans the use from kindergarten through high school.
• Nearly 40 municipalities in New Jersey have certified their parks as pesticide free zones. Will West Orange be next? Contact the New Jersey Environmental Federation if you would like to help make this happen.
• Aptman is broadening the reach of Safe Lawns Montclair by helping form a Northern New Jersey Safe Yards Alliance. The first meeting will be held in mid-March. Contact Aptman at Suzanne@SafeLawnsMontclair.org if you are interested in attending.