Policy levers to promote safer pest control practices

Pest infestations are hazardous to respiratory health and are a major quality of life factor for many residents living in urban multi-family housing. Exposure to rodent saliva, urine, droppings or skin can exacerbate and precipitate asthma. Yet there is clear evidence that pesticides can also trigger asthma attacks and can contribute to the development of asthma and is associated with a wide range of other health problems ranging from injury to the nervous and reproductive systems to birth defects and cancer. Policies are important tools to alter practices that can harm public health, as well as to provide a basis for enforcement of protective practices. Comprehensive policies governing pest control are important. The practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is clearly a more health-protective and effective method of pest control than broadcast pesticide application. IPM policies and practices have been successfully implemented in schools and other institutional settings. Since people spend more than 65% of time inside their homes, policy makers must now advance IPM to address pest infestation problems in housing. The Boston Public Health Commission and the Asthma Regional Council felt it was important to identify potential policy levers for promoting and sustaining IPM practices and engaged the Alliance for Healthy Homes to research and recommend viable options and opportunities for policy solutions. This session will provide an overview of existing and potentially new model policies on the federal, state and local levels that can be pursued by governmental, public environmental health, and advocacy organizations.