Introduction. $28K per year savings on contracted pest control services No increase in full time staff.

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2 Introduction Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the process of managing pests to tolerable levels emphasizing the use of non chemical pest management techniques and the judicious and careful use of pesticides. While IPM is gaining popularity within Utah s fruit and agriculture industries, IPM programs in Utah s urban environment are seriously lacking. In particular, pest management in our most sensitive indoor environments the schools where our children learn and our educators work is outdated, reactionary and relies on unwarranted, calendar based pesticide applications made in and around schools. In August 2013, the Utah Department of Health amended administrative code R (12) (the School Rule ) mandating that schools convert their traditional pest management programs to an IPM based approach. The amendment aims to reduce child and adult exposure to pests and pesticides in Utah s schools. Despite the recent amendment of the School Rule, without proper education and training provided to target audiences, traditional school pest management programs will continue to expose Utah s students and teachers to the unnecessary use of pesticides. Utah State University Extension is partnering with the Utah Coalition for Integrated Pest Management in Schools to seek funding to assist in the development and dissemination of educational tools focusing on the principles, practices, and appropriate implementation of IPM in schools. Educational efforts will target key members of Utah s public, private and charter school communities. Additionally, education will be provided to Utah Health Department environmental health inspectors who are in charge of enforcing the School Rule. Without proper education, the good intentions of the School Rule will fail in both implementation and enforcement. Successfully implemented IPM programs throughout the country have shown reductions in pest complaints and pesticide use in schools by 71 to 93%, with no long term increase in costs. In Utah, the Salt Lake City School District has shown great successes using IPM, including: $28K per year savings on contracted pest control services No increase in full time staff. 2

3 Minimal ongoing program costs of $4K per year. Pest control equal to or better than prior pest management strategies Decreased pest numbers Major reduction of pesticide use indoors from monthly, calendar based pesticide applications to only one ounce of pesticides used in Literature Review There are over 550,000 students and 31,600 teachers, education specialists and district and school administrators that work and spend substantial time in Utah s public, private, and charter schools (Utah State Office of Education, 2013). A 2012 survey of Utah and Colorado public schools indicated that less than half (47%) of public school districts had any familiarity with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (Young et. al, 2013). Nationally, surveys of pest management and pesticide use in schools have uncovered serious issues including unmanaged pest infestations and inappropriate and off label use of pesticides in and around schools (Green and Gouge, 2011). In contrast to these facts, top priorities for schools include reducing the number of pests in and around buildings, improving air quality, and reducing child pesticide exposure. Despite the desires of school districts to reduce pesticide exposure, fewer than 11% of school districts in Utah and Colorado have committed IPM programs. Staffing shortages, availability of education and training, and cost to implement IPM were the primary barriers reported by schools. The provision of proper educational programs and assistance to schools in implementing IPM has been shown to reduce pest complaints and pesticide use by 71 to 93%, with no long term increase in costs (Gouge et al., 2006; Greene and Breisch, 2002; Williams et al., 2005). Many school districts (65%) reported using contracted pest control services rather than developing an in house pest control program. R (12) mandates the practice of IPM whether pest management programs are developed in house or contracted to professional pest control companies. If contracted, schools will still be responsible for adhering to the School Rule which requires basic knowledge of IPM and access to educational resources and IPM tools. The development and dissemination of IPM educational resources and training will help teach schools how to create and implement successful, long term IPM programs while adhering to the language in the School Rule (abbreviated rule): 3

4 The governing body shall minimize in school buildings or on school grounds the presence of pests that are vectors for disease, carry allergens that are likely to affect individuals with allergies or respiratory problems, or may sting or bite causing mild to serious reactions in some individuals. The governing body shall adopt IPM practices and principles to prevent unacceptable levels of pest activity with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. The governing body shall have a written IPM plan prepared by the governing body or provided by the pest management contractor whether IPM is implemented as an internal process or contracted to a pest management professional. The governing body shall use non chemical management methods whenever possible to provide the desired pest control. Anyone applying pesticides on or in school grounds shall apply all products according to the pesticide label directions. Development of asthma, asthma attacks and asthma like symptoms have been associated with exposure to cockroaches (Gore and Schal, 2007), other pests, and pesticides (Alarcon et al., 2005; Salam et al., 2004; Salameh et al., 2003). In Utah, about 59,000 of all children (6.7%) and 36,850 school age children suffer from asthma (UT Asthma Program website, 2014). Minimizing child exposure to asthma triggers through proper pest management and reduced pesticide use is a major priority for Utah. In addition to asthma, learning ability and long term health can also be directly affected by children s exposure to certain pesticides (Green and Gouge, 2011). Pesticides differ in their hazard and potential negative health effects. Pesticide formulation and application method can also increase child exposure. A number of pesticides commonly used in schools (Beyond Pesticides, 2003; Green et al., 2007) have been identified as neurotoxins, possible or known carcinogens, and developmental and reproductive toxins by the US EPA and other authorities (US EPA, 2000; California EPA, 2006). Through IPM education, schools can learn to properly select and use the least toxic pesticides that provide appropriate pest control, minimize child and adult exposure to asthma triggers through proper management of cockroaches and other pests, and reduce pest densities to tolerable levels while reducing pesticide use and long term costs. 4

5 Objectives Utah State University Extension, in cooperation with the Utah Coalition for Integrated Pest Management in Schools (Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake County Health Department, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and the Utah Department of Health Asthma Program), will develop targeted educational resources and deliver hands on training to key school personnel and local health department environmental inspectors. With funding from Utah State University Extension in , we propose to: 1. Minimize pest and pesticide exposure to children by increasing knowledge and adoption of school IPM principles and practices in Utah s public, private and charter schools. 2. Facilitate awareness, enforcement of and compliance with R (12) by local health departments and Utah schools. Methods and Procedures Utah State University and the Utah Coalition for Integrated Pest Management in Schools will create learning modules for two key audiences: school personnel and local health department environmental health inspectors. The educational resources will be disseminated through online and in person channels. Outreach materials and activities will include: 1. School IPM PowerPoint presentations (given in person and posted online with voiceover). 2. Online self guided school IPM tutorials for IPM practitioners. 3. Draft letter outlining the School Rule and the availability of IPM workshops provided to the State Superintendent of Schools to distribute to district level Superintendents. 4. School Rule video fact sheet developed for district superintendents and upper level school administrators announcing and outlining the School Rule and strategies to help schools comply with the new rule. 5. Online School IPM resources/tools published on the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab s School IPM webpage, including: Pest Press fact sheets, video IPM and pest control 5

6 fact sheets, information on the School Rule, pertinent reporting forms, IPM policy and plan templates. 6. Twenty hands on, half day school IPM workshops will be held state wide to train school personnel and health inspectors about the basics of School IPM principles, practices, implementation and how R (12) will be enforced. Proposed training locations include: Cedar City Logan Moab Ogden Price Richfield Salt Lake City Spanish Fork St. George Vernal Target audiences Target audiences include all key stakeholders in the school IPM process. Various educational materials will target numerous audiences, including: fact sheets (video) fact sheets (print) online IPM resources presentations online tutorials workshops school rule letter state superintendent of schools superintendents, administration, school boards, governing bodies principals faculty, staff, students, parents maintenance, grounds, facilities, custodial, IPM coordinators health dept. & pest control companies Project Evaluation: Outputs, Outcomes, and Measures Project Evaluation: Outputs, Outcomes, and Measures Project Outputs Create/share/disseminate IPM resources, support and materials Provide customized and targeted IPM training and educational materials for pertinent stakeholders Conduct on site school IPM inspections at each workshop Conduct surveys of IPM knowledge Identify effective strategies to increase/implement IPM in schools Targeted communication with health, school and pest management professionals Objective 1: Minimize pest and pesticide exposure to children by increasing knowledge and adoption of school IPM principles and practices in Utah s public, private and charter schools. Objective 2: Facilitate awareness, enforcement of and compliance with R (12) by local health departments and Utah schools. 6

7 Project Outcomes Increased awareness of IPM in the school and health communities Increased awareness, knowledge, and skills to implement IPM in school communities Increased commitment/intention to implement IPM in school community Increased awareness, knowledge, and skills to recognize and enforce IPM (R (12) in school communities by health inspectors Schools and/or districts appoint IPM coordinators Increased and diverse attendance at state school IPM Coalition meetings Communication tools for IPM stakeholders to strengthen/develop collaborative partnerships Collaborative relationships created/strengthened to foster IPM Project Measures Pre and post workshop tests to measure knowledge gained # of workshops/trainings conducted # of participants # of school districts participating # of local health departments participating # professional pest control operators participating # other groups participating # of IPM certifications given # of fact sheets, posters, and PowerPoints, etc., created and distributed # IPM Coordinators appointed # of new IPM Coalition members, partners, and collaborators Post workshop follow up surveys with school personnel attendees to track status of IPM in schools Changes in pest control practices (pesticide use vs. preventative tactics) Post workshop follow up surveys with health inspectors to determine level of R (12) enforcement Undergraduate Employee Roles One, part time student employee will be funded for the grant s duration (10 hours per week). The student assistant will help create school IPM educational materials, update the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab s (UPPDL) School IPM webpage, assist with scheduling workshops and development and analysis of workshop evaluation surveys. The part time employee will be funded an additional 10 hours per week by the UPPDL to help with various insect collection and preservation projects, data collection and entry, microscopy and photography, and website development. Cooperator and Collaborator Roles County agents involved in the project will be in charge of organizing the workshops in their county, including: securing a meeting venue and school inspection site, garnering participation 7

8 from local school personnel, pest control companies and government employees, participating in their local workshops, and receiving school IPM training so that they can provide on going IPM support for school districts in their regions. The Utah Coalition for Integrated Pest Management in Schools collaborators will assist in the development of all educational and instructional materials, assist in the development and scheduling of the IPM workshops, and assist with instruction at workshops in the Greater Salt Lake area, including: Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Spanish Fork. Future Funding Additional funding will be sought to provide ongoing education and support for Utah s School IPM Program. Funding will be sought from sources, including the USU Extension IPM and Sustainable Agriculture MiniGrant Programs, USDA NIFA Extension IPM Program, EPA School IPM Grant Program, and the Western IPM Center. References Cited Alarcon, W.A., Calvert, G.M., Blondell, J.M., Mehler, L.N., Sievert, J., Propeck, M., Tibbetts, D.S., Becker, A., Lackovic, M., Soileau, S.B., Das, R., Beckman, J., Male, D.P., Thomsen, C.L., and Stanbury, M Acute Illnesses Associated with Pesticide Exposure at Schools. Journal of the American Medical Association, 294(4): Beyond Pesticides Health Effects of 48 Commonly Used Toxic Pesticides in Schools. Washington, D.C. 3 pp. California Environmental Protection Agency Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity. Office of Environmental Hazard Assessment. 18 pp. Gore, J.C., and Schal, C Cockroach Biology and Mitigation in the Indoor Environment. Annual Review of Entomology, 52: Gouge, D.H., Lame, M.L., and Snyder, J.L Use of an Implementation Model and Diffusion Process for Establishing Integrated Pest Management in Arizona Schools. American Entomologist, 52(3): Green, T.A., and Breisch, N.L Measuring Integrated Pest Management Programs for Public Buildings. Journal of Economic Entomology,

9 Green, T.A., Gouge, D.H., Braband, L.A., Foss, C.R., and Graham, L.C IPM STAR Certification for School Systems: Rewarding Pest Management Excellence in Schools and Childcare Facilities. American Entomology, 53(3): Green, T.A., and Gouge, D.H., eds School IPM 2015: Strategic Plan for Integrated Pest Management in Schools in the United States. 307 pp. Salam, T., Li., Y., Langholz, B., and Gilliland, F.D Early Life Environmental Risk Factors for Asthma: Findings for the Children s health Study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 112: Salameh, P.R., Baldi, I., Brochard, P., Raherison, C., Abi Saleh, B., and Salamon, R Respiratory Symptoms in Children and Exposure to Pesticides. European Respiratory Journal, 22: United States Environmental Protection Agency Table 1. Toxicity Data by Category for Chemicals Listed Under EPCRA Section 313. Office of Environmental Information. 11 pp. Utah Department of Health Utah Asthma Program Website: Asthma Prevalence. Last accessed March, Utah State Office of Education, Fingertip Facts. 10 pp. Facts/2013_FingertipFacts.aspx Williams, G.M., Linker, H.M., Waldvogel, M.G., Leidy, R.B., and Schal, C Comparison of Conventional and Integrated Pest Management Programs in Public Schools. Journal of Economic Entomology, 98: Young, D., Davis, R.S., and Tungate, S. What s Bugging You? 2012 School IPM Survey Results Utah and Colorado. ey_report_final.pdf Appendix A Budget Narrative The total requested funding for: Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs in Utah Schools is $9,777. The School IPM project will employ one undergraduate student, part time (5 hrs/wk), for 20 weeks at a rate of $10.00 per hour or $1,082 with benefits. The majority of the funding $5, will be for instructors to travel to in state workshops in 10 locations throughout Utah. The primary instructor for all workshops will be Ryan Davis. For the 9

10 workshops in the greater Salt Lake area (Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Spanish Fork), instructor assistance will be provided by the Utah Coalition for Integrated Pest Management in Schools. Travel expenses for the primary workshop instructor (Ryan Davis) includes: fuel ($500: 4,200 mi), vehicle rental ($1,600: 32 vehicle travel days), hotel ($2,000: 18 nights), per diem ($1035: 14 partial travel days ($483) and 12 full travel days ($552)). Materials and supplies ($2,300) include: printing/copying, USB flash drives ($500), and food/snacks for workshop attendees ($1,800). The justification for supplying meals on site, are to: 1) shorten the time needed for lunch so the workshop can be completed in less time, 2) facilitate discussion among trainers, agents, pest control operators, and school and health department personnel and, 3) deter early departure of participants from the workshops. We will eliminate costs associated with meeting venues by using facilities donated by local school districts USU Extension Grants Program APPENDIX A - BUDGET TEMPLATE *Fill in blue cells where applicable - budget will be calculated automatically Salaries Graduate student support $0.00 Fringe benefits (0.08%) $0.00 Graduate student insurance ($134.00/mo x 8 mo.) $0.00 Undergraduate student and payroll support Fringe benefits (8.2%) Technical or personnel (contract salary) support Fringe benefits (46.0%) $2, $ $0.00 Subtotal for Salaries and Benefits $2, In-state Travel $5, Materials/Supplies $2, Equipment Other Subtotal TOTAL BUDGET $7, $9,