MEDIA RELEASE
December 4, 2003
Health Care Without Harm: http://www.noharm.org;
Beyond Pesticides: http://beyondpesticides.org
Contact:
Neha Patel, Oregon Center for Environmental Health, 503-233-1510
NEW SURVEY Finds 100 Percent of Responding Hospitals
Use Pesticides in or Around Facilities
National Report Highlights OHSU Hospital as a Model And Urges Hospitals Move to Safer, Proven Pest Control Methods
A first-of-its-kind survey of top U.S. hospitals found many major hospitals are regularly spraying toxic pesticides, and unnecessarily risking the health of patients, staff and visitors.
“Hospitals are intended to be places of healing, yet many are using hazardous pesticides unnecessarily in a ‘spray and pray’ approach to pest management, when safer and more effective methods are available,” said Neha Patel, Program Director for the Oregon Health Care Without Harm Campaign.
The survey results are detailed in a new report, “Healthy Hospitals: Controlling Pests Without Harmful Pesticides" released by the health advocacy groups Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and Beyond Pesticides (available at http://www.noharm.org). The report includes suggestions and resources to assist hospitals in managing pests least toxically.
"Obviously patients and staff should be protected from pests, but they also need to be protected from pesticides," said Justin Denny, MD, a practicing physician in Portland and board member of the Oregon Center for Environmental Health, a group working with hospitals to help them reduce their use of toxic chemicals.
"Pesticides have been linked to an array of health problems that are particularly relevant to pregnant women, children, and people with asthma" Dr. Denny added. "Pesticides used at some hospitals cause cancer and birth defects in laboratory animals, as well as neurological and reproductive disorders. Alternative approaches that reduce or eliminate exposures to patients and staff can and should be used."
The survey also offers good news: Some hospitals are having great success managing pests with no or very few hazardous pesticides by using proven, safer Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. OHSU Hospital IPM program is highlighted in the report as a model for least toxic pest control practices.
“Safe use of pesticides by hospitals is basic to the healing mission of such facilities”, says Phillip Way, OHSU Grounds Coordinator. “The national report suggests vital tools to implement a successful integrated pest management program (IPM) with two goals: protect people and protect their environment.”
"Hospitals are like schools in that we expect them to be safe havens from harm. Just as schools in Oregon are turning toward safer approaches to pest control, it is time that hospitals move in the same direction," said Jane Harris, Director of the Oregon Center for Environmental Health.
Read the full report.