Pesticide Safety Education Materials Available
Free copies of the Spanish version of "Help Yourself to Healthy Home" (Contribuya a Tener un Hogar Sano) are now available. This booklet, developed by the University of Wisconsin's Home*Asyst program, is geared for the consumer and answers important questions about the home and how you live in it. By answering the questions, the reader can find out if their home is "healthy," or if they need to make some changes. There are nine sections in the booklet including one on pesticide safety. Every chapter provides basic information about a particular environmental issue, e.g. indoor air quality, pesticides, carbon monoxide, lead, mold and moisture, etc.; questions to help readers decide whether any of these are issues of concern in their homes; and simple "action steps" to address these concerns. For more info contact Kathy Seikel at: seikel.kathy@epa.gov or call 703-308-8272.
EPA's Region 2 has developed a CD containing several documents relating to IPM in schools including: 1) "Pest Control in the School Environment," the popular 1993 EPA publication designed to acquaint readers with IPM as a potential alternative to scheduled spraying of pesticides; 2) "Who Wants to be an IPM Super Sleuth? Integrated Pest Management Activities and Resources for Kids of All Ages" developed by the IPM Institute of North America; 3) "Neato Mosquito," the CD developed by the Centers for Disease Control which contains a 4th grade curriculum designed to teach kids about mosquito biology through the use of animation, video images, interactive games, and student projects. For copies of this CD, which includes all of the items above, contact Henry Rupp at: rupp.henry@epa.gov or call 732-906-6178.
"Tres Amigos al Rescate" is the name of a new education and outreach package developed by EPA's Region 6 and aimed at Spanish-speaking communities. The core component of this package is an entertaining and informative video that appeals to children and adults alike and provides practical information on safe use of household chemicals, including pesticides. It also provides useful information about radon, second-hand smoke, contaminated water, asbestos, lead, UV light, and ground level ozone. The video is accompanied by a companion booklet, also in Spanish, designed for parents, teachers, and moderators. A helpful discussion guide and fact sheet complete the package and set the stage for stimulating discussions about steps people can take to make their homes environmentally safe. To order "Tres Amigos al Rescate," e-mail Amadee Madril at madril.amadee@epa.gov or call 214-665-2767. (EPA Pesticide Program Update, 1/29/03).
