Albemarle residents back plan to reduce pesticides used at schools

From staff reports
Published: July 10, 2008

A plan to reduce chemical toxins in Albemarle County schools by restricting traditional pesticides and disinfectants won support from a handful of residents Thursday.

The residents spoke during the public comment portion of the county School Board’s meeting. The board also heard a report about the costs and benefits of the plan, which calls for the use of “green certified” organic products.

In June, the Board of Supervisors unanimously supported the use of compounds that are considered much less toxic than chemicals traditionally used to keep schools clean.

The new policy would leave bathrooms sanitized but not disinfected.

Several speakers at Thursday’s public hearing suggested that there would be little harm in using compounds with less toxicity, despite little evidence that chemical disinfectants are dangerous.

Officials estimate that the change would cost the school district about $73,000 to $100,000 in fiscal 2009.

The board had not taken any action on the matter at press time.