Why School IPM: Environmental Issues

Urban-suburban environments represent the greatest concentration of pesticides use and exposure to the citizens of the United States. The EPA (1996) estimated that two to five times as much pesticide per acre is applied to the urban-suburban environment than to agricultural fields.

The public's concerns about health and environmental risks associated with chemicals are increasing, particularly when children are involved. As the public becomes more aware of the health and environmental risks pesticides may pose, its interest in seeking the use of equally effective alternative pest control methods increases {10}.