America's Children and the Environment (ACE)

ACE: Supplementary Topics - Contaminants in Schools and Child Care Facilities

Indicator S2 graph

National data for this measure were obtained from a federal government study of a nationally representative sample of 168 child care centers. Pesticides were measured in environmental samples collected from the child care centers.
Regional data for this measure were obtained from an EPA study of 29 child care centers in Ohio and North Carolina. Pesticides were measured in environmental samples collected from the child care centers and from the hands of children in the centers.

Chlorpyrifos, cis-permethrin, and diazinon were detected in all of the dust samples collected at Ohio and North Carolina child care centers included in the CTEPP study in 2000-2001. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon were also detected in all of the indoor air samples collected at these child care centers.
Pesticide residues were detected least often in the hand wipe samples collected at the selected Ohio and North Carolina child care centers, but chlorpyrifos and cis-permethrin were detected in more than half of the hand wipe samples.
The national level floor wipe sampling found chlorpyrifos most frequently, in 89% of samples. Cis-permethrin and diazinon were also detected frequently, in 72% and 67% of floor wipe samples, respectively. (Pentachlorophenol was not examined in the national study.)

Indicator S3 graph

Data for this measure were obtained from an EPA study of 29 child care centers in Ohio and North Carolina.
Chemicals were measured in environmental samples collected from the child care centers and from the hands of children in the centers.

Of the chemicals shown in this measure, dibutyl phthalate was the most frequently detected in indoor air and dust samples collected at Ohio and North Carolina child care centers included in the CTEPP study in 2000-2001.
Dibutyl phthalate and PAHs (represented by benzo[b]fluoranthene) were detected in 100% of the dust samples. PCB-52 and bisphenol A were detected in 65% and 62% or dust samples, respectively.
Dibutyl phthalate, PAHs, and bisphenol A were detected in more than 60% of hand wipe samples, while PCB-52 was detected in less than 10% of these samples.
Dibutyl phthalate was detected in all of the indoor air samples and PCB-52 was detected in almost all (98%) of the samples. PAHs were detected in slightly less than half of the indoor air samples, while bisphenol A was detected in slightly more than half of the indoor air samples.

Indicator S4 graph

Data for this measure are obtained from a reporting database maintained by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Reporting is required for all pesticide applications by pest control companies at all school and childcare facilities in California.
Pesticide reports are submitted to the database at least annually and report all pesticide application on any area of school or childcare facility property visited or used by pupils.

Pyrethrin and pyrethroid insecticides accounted for the greatest volume of pesticide use in California schools overall from 2002 to 2007, although there was greater use of herbicides in 2003, and of the “other” insecticides category and fumigants in 2004.
The application of pyrethrin and pyrethroid insecticides, and organophosphate insecticides inside California schools has decreased since 2002.