INFORMATIONAL LETTER:            13

 

POLICY CODE: HB

 

 

 

TO:                  Superintendents, Principals

 

FROM:            J. Duke Albanese, Commissioner

 

DATE:             August 16, 2000

 

SUBJECT:       Use of chlorpyrifos pesticides

 

            Schools using chlorpyrifos (Dursban) pesticides---widely used insecticides for home and agriculture---should know that the use of these substances will be curtailed due to risk concerns regarding children, according to a recent EPA decision.  More information from the EPA on chlorpyrifos and the phase-out of its use in schools and homes is attached.

 

            School systems should evaluate the use of chlorpyrifos in and around their buildings.  If they need further information on chlorpyrifos or have chlorpyrifos pesticides on hand they wish to discard, they should contact the Board of Pesticides Control at 287-2731.

 

 

 

cc:        Robert W. Spear, Commissioner, Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources

Robert Batteese, Director, Board of Pesticides Control

            Gary Fish, Certification & Licensing Specialist, Board of Pesticides Control

            Lebelle Hicks, Ph.D., Pesticide Toxicologist, Board of Pesticides Control

            Kathy Murray, Ph.D., Integrated Pest Management, Maine Dept. of Agriculture