John Allran, the Environmental Toxicologist for NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division sent the following email to over 2700 schools across the state regarding the use of disinfectant wipes and other disinfectants in schools. We wanted to make sure those of you who work at or with schools had access to it. Many people are not aware that most disinfectants are classified by the EPA as a type of pesticide and therefore fall under both the Federal (FIFRA) and State Pesticide Laws & Rules.
We’ve added the two documents below. If you have questions, please contact John Allran at the email/number below.
Dear <Principal/Administrator>:
Many schools use disinfecting wipes and other disinfectants to control the spread of germs (viruses, bacteria) that cause colds, influenza, and other illnesses. Many disinfectants are actually pesticides registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and therefore the label must be followed to avoid adverse health effects, achieve disinfection, and comply with the law. The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division (SPC&PD) is the State Lead Agency for pesticide regulation in North Carolina. The mission of the SPC&PD is to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and the environment by minimizing and managing risks associated with the legal use of pesticides through administration of the NC Pesticide Law of 1971 and the Structural Pest Control Act of North Carolina of 1955. School-aged children should NOT use disinfecting wipes, as the statement KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN is on the label.The SPC&PD is providing you with two infographic resources developed by the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) regarding the use of disinfectants and disinfecting wipes in schools. These infographics can be found on the SPC&PD website in the bottom right of the gold banner at https://www.ncagr.gov/spcap/. Please share this information with appropriate health, safety, and maintenance personnel to promote effective and safe use of disinfecting wipes and other disinfectants as part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program at your school. If you have any questions or concerns, please visit the SPC&PD website or call (919)733-3556.
Thank you.
John W. Allran
Environmental Toxicologist
NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Structural Pest Control & Pesticides Division
(919) 857-4150 (direct phone)
(919) 733-3556 (Division phone)
(919) 733-9796 (fax)
Email: John.Allran@ncagr.gov
http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/