Poisoned Schools: Invisible Threats, Visible Actions. A Report of the Child Proofing Our Communities: Poisoned School Campaign.

This report embodies the findings of several studies, which conclude that America's schools have fallen into disrepair and sometimes present students and teachers with an unhealthy, unsafe, or even harmful educational environment. The researchers say that no guidelines are in place to help school districts select safe school sites. School sites are regularly sprayed with pesticides, and these chemicals are thought to be partly responsible for a whole generation of children who are increasingly hyperactive, slow to learn, and disruptive in school. The report offers specific recommendations to protect children from chemical contamination in air and soil surrounding schools and from exposure to toxic pesticides in schools and on school grounds. The report presents recommendations for school site selection and for developing integrated pest management programs. The report lists resources for additional information, and its appendices provide samples of school siting and pest management surveys. (GR)