Newsworthy, November 1999

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) unveiled proposed federal legislation last month aimed at governing pesticide use in schools, but some in the industry say the bill won’t help the nation’s children as it is intended.

The proposed School Environment Protection Act (SEPA), authored by Torricelli and co-sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), will apply "safety standards for the use of toxic pesticides in and around public schools," according to a Torricelli news release.

The proposed legislation would prohibit the use of many pesticides in schools and require schools to notify parents and teachers 72 hours prior to applications. The bill also calls for adoption of national IPM practices for schools established by a 12-member National IPM Advisory Board.

While no specific pesticides or chemical classes were named in the proposed legislation, chemicals deemed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be "considered carcinogenic or tied to birth defects, reproductive ailments or damaging to neurological functions of the immune system" would be banned from use in schools, according to a statement released by Torricelli.

Torricelli’s release also states, "Responding to a health threat documented by scientific studies, as well as the unknown dangers to children whose still-developing nervous and immune systems make them vulnerable to the ill effects of chemical pesticides, the plan establishes a variety of practices and protections nationally."

Some say the bill, S. 1716, would impair PCOs’ and schools’ ability to manage pests. The bill is based largely on a law in Maryland regarding school pesticide use.

"We welcome Senator Torricelli’s interest in the issue of school pest management, but believe his approach is ill conceived," said Bob Rosenberg, National Pest Control Association (NPCA) director of government affairs.

"While we strongly support the need to protect children’s health through effective school IPM programs, we think the proposed measure is misguided," says Allen James, executive director for Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE).

Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs for NPCA, says he’d be surprised if any action was taken on the bill this year. With a Republican majority in Congress, it is unlikely that SEPA would pass this year; however, with an election year approaching, the makeup of Congress next year could be different and significantly affect the bill’s chances of becoming law. "Next year is a whole new ball game," he said.

Furthermore, Harrington expects environmental groups and lobbyists, who have lined up in support of the bill, to make a major push for the legislation next year. The same groups lobbied unsuccessfully prior to SEPA’s introduction to get a Republican senator to sign on as a co-sponsor.

According to RISE, the bill limits schools’ access to pesticides needed to control pests. By restricting school access to these vital pest management tools, SEPA puts children at risk for a variety of diseases and illnesses. Essential pest management tools used by schools include sanitation, structural repair and maintenance, and pesticides when needed, RISE said.

While Harrington doesn’t expect much movement on the bill in Congress this year, that could change in December when the U.S. General Accounting Office releases a study it has been conducting on the issue of pesticides in schools. If the GAO determines that changes are needed in school pest control programs, the report could bolster the Torricelli bill. Likewise, if the GAO reports that current standards of pest control in schools are acceptable, the Torricelli bill would likely not make it through Congress. While no one is speculating yet on the GAO report, Harrington says NPCA was interviewed by GAO officials earlier this year.

NEW YORK — Although a recent outbreak of encephalitis in New York City area was initially identified as St. Louis encephalitis, experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say it was in fact the West Nile-like virus.

Symptoms of both — fever and headache — are similar, but they are generally milder with the West Nile virus. In rare cases, the virus can cause neurological disorders and death.

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At press time, the mosquito-borne virus had infected 54 people in the New York metropolitan area, according to the state Department of Health. The virus — never before recorded in the Western Hemisphere — is believed to have entered the United States in infected birds. Hundreds of dead birds were found from Connecticut south to New Jersey and Long Island.

As of mid-October, six people had died from the virus, which is carried by mosquitoes, primarily the Culex species. The CDC confirmed it had found the virus in crows, domestic birds and exotic pet birds in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The virus is believed to be transmitted by mosquitoes that bite infected birds. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus by feeding on infected birds and then spread it to other animals and humans by biting them and taking a blood meal. Though they harbor the virus, mosquitoes and birds are not affected by it.

The outbreak caught the attention of New York City health officials in August. They sprayed the city of seven million people with malathion in early September to try and kill the mosquitoes. The CDC said spraying malathion should control the outbreak until freezing temperatures arrive and mosquito activity ceases for the season.

Scientists cannot say how the virus reached the United States, although it has been seen in Africa and Asia.

In addition to headaches and fever, the virus causes swelling of the brain, body aches, rashes and pain behind the eyes. The brain swelling can be deadly in the weak and elderly.

CDC reported that all residents of areas where active cases of the virus are identified are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis, but people over the age of 50 are most at risk.

The spraying efforts to eradicate the mosquito-born virus have already cost more than $5 million.

APOPKA, Fla. — Gov. Jeb Bush allocated $400,000 last month for rodent control in Lake and Seminole Counties, Fla., to help stop the spread of mice. Some say that hundreds of thousands of house mice have infested thousands of homes near Orlando and infiltrated at least 10,000 homes in a 50-square-mile area of Orange County.

As a result, PCOs in the area may be receiving more calls than normal regarding rodent infestations.

According to the Associated Press, county health officials believe the mouse population is its way out of the farmland near Lake Apopka, about 10 miles north of Walt Disney World. Health officials warn the rodents will be looking to move indoors as temperatures drop.

The money allocated by the governor will buy 100,000 traps, 4,400 baits and 1,204 cases of rodenticide.

Officials were working on a plan to distribute supplies directly to homeowners as of press time. Tentatively, the plan called for setting up distribution sites at community centers in the area and notifying residents through contacts such as leaders in homeowner associations.

Also proposed were centers that would be set up like emergency-opera of public agencies for responses to hurricanes or other disasters.

Reports of mice moving to northern Florida counties prompted city officials to order 8,000 traps and 1,250 glueboards from retail stores such as Lowe’s Home Improvement Store.

According to the Miami Herald, the current rodent infestation is the worst the area has ever seen. "We have never seen a house mouse explosion like this in Florida, ever," said Bill Kern, a University of Florida rodent expert who’s helping Orange County. The infestation has grown from 10 to 50 square miles in a matter of months.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Construction has begun on Truly Nolen of America’s new corporate headquarters in Tucson, Arizona. The $1.5 million facility is 15,860 square feet and will feature southwestern interpretation of traditional commercial architecture designed by Robert Bailey & Stephen Grede, Landscape Architect, Inc.

"We are very excited about the new facility and we expect to fully occupy the building by June of 2000," President Scott Nolen said.

Truly Nolen broke ground for the new site in September and the City of Tucson proclaimed the day "Truly Nolen Day." Representatives from the Tucson city government, the local Chamber of Commerce, select community service organizations and company management were invited to attend. Truly Nolen also donated $1,000 to the Tucson chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — David Broadwell’s purchase of the Whitmire Micro-Gen Vector Nova proved to a wise decision in more ways than one. Broadwell, from New Jersey, won an all-expense-paid trip for two to St. Louis and a pair of tickets for two Cardinals baseball games.

As part of a Whitmire Micro-Gen promotion, Broadwell’s name was randomly drawn from a pool of individuals who qualified by purchasing the Vector Nova.

A 12-year industry veteran, Broadwell works for Ace-Walco Pest Control in Linden, N.J. Broadwell uses the Vector Nova in food processing plants, warehouses and nursing homes. As winner, Broadwell received round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, two tickets located behind the dugout to two St. Louis Cardinals baseball games and $1,000 for incidental expenses.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The final program has been announced for the 64th Annual Purdue University Pest Control Conference, Jan. 10-14, 2000, in West Lafayette, Ind.

Speakers scheduled to appear include: Austin Frishman, AMF Pest Management; Lloyd Smigel, Care Management Consultants; Bobby Corrigan, RMC Pest Management; Stoy Hedges, Terminix; Lisa Shaheen, Pest Control magazine; Jay Bruesch, Plunketts Pest Control; Brian Schneider, Dow AgroSciences; Faith Oi, USDA-ARS; Al St. Cyr, AIB; Mark Sheperdigian, Rose Exterminators; Kathy Heinshohn, Western Pest Services; Mike Corbitt, Van Waters & Rogers; Brian Evans, Gregory Pest Control; George Rambo, GR Consulting; Carl Hinderer, Southern Mill Creek; William Kolbe, Western Industries; Tim Julien, A&T Wildlife Services; Paul Hardy, Orkin; Carl Griswold, Wil-Kil Pest Control; Dave Shangle, Anderson Pest Control; Rob Lederer, NPCA; Fred Whitford and other Purdue staff.

Registration and lodging information is available from Susan Umberger at 765/494-7217.