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UT Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology Dr. Karen Vail 2431 Joe Johnson Drive Phone: 865-974-7135 Dr. Martha Keel 2621 Morgan Circle Phone: 865-974-7384 UT College of Social Work Dr. Mary Rogge 109 Henson Hall Phone: 865-974-3351
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IPM aims to reduce and balance exposure to pests and pesticides and is a process that extends beyond the application of pesticides to include reduction of food, water, shelter, and in building access used by pests. In an IPM program, pest populations are prevented; pesticides are used only when needed; the least hazardous pesticide that effectively manages the targeted pests is selected; and pesticides are directed to areas not contacted or accessible to children, staff, parents or other building occupants. Integrating IPM into school, childcare and other child-serving facilities is an essential strategy for limiting exposure to pests and pesticides, yet this strategy does not reach children who may be at the greatest risk physiologically. A fall 2005 phone assessment of school systems indicated that 31% of respondents were using IPM. Results from a mail survey conducted in 2003 indicate 5.9% of childcare centers were use IPM. We hope that every child-serving facility in the state understands the importance of using IPM in their facility and we ask all Tennesseans to encourage this adoption. The UT YEAH (Youth, Environment and Health) Research Team invites you to explore this web site for resources in getting started in IPM. The goal of the UTYEAH team is to improve the well-being of Tennessee's children by balancing and reducing risks associated with pests, pesticides, and other chemicals. Please see our companion UT YEAH web site at http://utyeah.utk.edu for Background, Issues, Resources, News & Reports, Training, and Team Members related to the team’s goals. This site will also provide a facility assessment (IPM Survey) in which no, low, medium and high levels of IPM will be determined for participating facilities. Those facilities using low to high IPM will be listed at the Facility IPM Status web page to give parents information needed when deciding on a child-serving facility for their children.
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Children can spend long hours at school, seven or more hours a day,
and up to 12 hours a day at a child care center, and therefore have an
increased risk of pesticide exposure if pesticides have been applied
in a manner incompatible with integrated pest management (IPM). Children
are physiologically more vulnerable to harm - their inhalation rate is
more than that of adults, developing cells are more likely to be damaged,
toxins concentrate more quickly in smaller bodies, their enzyme detoxification
systems are not completely developed and their behavior, such as hand-to-mouth
activity and sitting on floors, increases their chances of ingesting
or otherwise being exposed to toxins. While research regarding the degree
of harm that pesticides may cause to children continues to come forward,
there is sufficient data “to be prudent to reduce or, where possible,
eliminate pesticide exposure to children, given their increased vulnerability
and susceptibility” (Zahm and Ward 1998).