Pesticides
Pesticides are substances used to control pests such as insects, rodents, birds, unwanted plants, and fungi. Because pesticides are designed to kill living organisms, they all pose risks to health and the environment. As a result, their storage, mixing, use, and final disposal are regulated by multiple laws designed to limit the damage they cause to non-target organisms, and to the environment.
The Federal Insect, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act governs product development, registration and use of pesticides, while the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act” target=”_blank regulates disposal of waste pesticides. For more information on management of RCRA wastes see Practice Greenhealth’s Managing Hazardous (RCRA) Wastes pages. FIFRA also regulates disinfectants and other antimicrobial products.
States are allowed to impose regulations on pesticides beyond FIFRA and RCRA obligations – these may be more stringent than the federal regulations. Be sure to check with your state environmental agency for more information.
Pesticide Use Reduction
Surprisingly, a hospital survey in 2003 found that many hospitals were using pesticides no longer registered under FIFRA, or whose active ingredients are being phased out due to concerns about health or environmental impacts.
Since pesticide exposures can cause a wide variety of symptoms and reactions in exposed individuals, many health care facilities choose to significantly reduce the use of chemical pest controls through implementation of Integrated Pest Management programs. This step minimizes staff and patient exposure to toxic substances, and reduces compliance obligations and pesticide impacts on the environment from health care facilities.
Practice Greenhealth’s Ten Step Guide to Implementing an Integrated Pest Management Program can help your facility take its first steps to eliminate unnecessary pesticide usage while improving pest control practices.
University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital IPM Case Study reports on one hospital’s highly successful transition to IPM.
Additional Resources
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