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Johns Hopkins Hospital, the University of Maryland Medical Center and nearly a dozen other health care and retirement facilities are working to eliminate toxic pesticides from their pest control efforts, a move that environmental advocates say is the first like it in the country.
The Maryland Pesticide Network launched the effort in 2005 after conducting a survey of pest-control products and practices in state health care facilities statewide.
While the chemicals are legal and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, advocates point to studies showing that 25 of the most commonly used pesticides are harmful to animals and marine life or have links to cancer, birth defects and neurological problems.
The Maryland Pesticide Network and a national group, Beyond Pesticides, released a report yesterday describing the most commonly used pesticides and how hospitals are working to avoid them. For instance, ant-killing baits that contain boric acid and rodent-fighting powder with diphacinone both have been found to be toxic to birds, fish and humans, the report said.
Instead of using such baits and sprays, advocates recommend sealing wall cracks and repairing window screens at the first sign of rodents or bugs. If a more rigorous approach is needed, powders, soils and sprays made with organic materials should be tried. Pesticides should be used as a last resort, they say.
Full Story: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-md.pesticides28oct28,0,3769126.story
