LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT EMBRACES "PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE" Created most stringent pesticide policy in nation. Policy incorporates "PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE".

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

EMBRACES

"PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE"



October 25, 2002

LOS ANGELES — California Safe Schools Coalition (CSS), having successfully worked with Los Angeles Unified School District (2nd largest district in USA) to implement a LEAST -TOXIC, LOW RISK pest management policy, whose preamble includes the "PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE", is sharing its secret for success on the new website: WWW.CALISAFE.ORG

"Precautionary is an action taken in advance to protect people and a principle is a rule. The "PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE" protects everybody against danger or injury.It's better to be safe than sorry!", said LAUSD student Alexandria Gracian,age twelve.

"The policy mandates the use of preventative measures and least toxic methods first in schools. Only when preventative measures fail does the district turn to pesticides on the approved list. Pesticides on the approved list cannot contain products known to cause cancer, neurological disruption, birth defects, genetic alteration,reproductive harm, immune system dysfunction, endocrine disruption,or acute poisoning, which stops the routine use of the most hazardous pesticides in our schools," said Robina Suwol Executive Director of CSS.

"We are pleased with California's assumption of leadership in this critical field of children's health. The LAUSD's courageous position is to be applauded and, hopefully, emulated nationwide." said CSS Board Chair, and parent of LAUSD students, Ashley Posner, Esq.

"Every parent knows that it is smart to keep children away from toxic chemicals." said Harvey Karp, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics. "That's why I salute California Safe Schools Coalition. The coalition has helped the Los Angeles Unified School district to adopt the best solution in the country for getting rid of pests while protecting children."

"Our new website will help others understand the policy. There are downloadable "Parent Right To

Know Forms", a copy of the groundbreaking policy, and links to other environmental organizations. A special attraction on the website are illustrations by internationally known artist Michael Bruza", said Action Now's Annie Waterman, founding member of CSS.

California Safe Schools is a project of Community Partners.CSS is committed to ensuring that all students, teachers, staff and community members who live near these school sites are in a safe toxic-free environment.



For more information, contact:

Robina Suwol

Executive Director

California Safe Schools

818-785-5515

schoolipm@yahoo.com

Web site: http://www.calisafe.org