Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

Reducing Pesticide Use in Child Care Centers

October 23, 2024

Interviewee: Abbey Alkon, Ph.D., R.N.

In this episode, Abbey Alkon, Ph.D., R.N., talks about her NIEHS-funded research to reduce pesticide exposures in child care centers and educate child care facility staff about integrated pest management. Her goal is to create healthy environments to support children’s early learning and development.

Reducing Pesticide Use in Child Care Centers

Allergens from pests, such as rodents and cockroaches, can trigger asthma symptoms, particularly among children. Child care facilities need to control pests to ensure kids have a healthy environment in which to learn and grow. However, the improper use of pesticides to manage pests can expose kids to chemicals that may harm health. Due to their small size, rapid growth, and distinct behavior, children are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposures.

One environmentally sustainable approach for reducing pesticide use is integrated pest management (IPM). This method limits the use of harmful pesticides by focusing on preventing infestations and monitoring for pests.

In this episode, Abbey Alkon, Ph.D., R.N., talks about her NIEHS-funded research to reduce pesticide exposures in child care centers and educate child care facility staff about IPM. Her goal is to create healthy environments to support children’s early learning and development.

Interview

Abbey Alkon, Ph.D., R.N., is a professor in the Family Health Care Nursing department at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research focuses on issues of family health care, such as early child care and education programs, environmental exposures, and healthy habits, including physical activity and nutrition. With funding from NIEHS, she led a project to reduce pesticide exposures among preschool-age children in California. Alkon is now the principal investigator of an NIEHS-funded project to report back pesticide exposure results to directors of family child care homes and educate them about IPM practices.

Resources

• Access the Integrated Pest Management toolkits referenced in the episode. Toolkits for Family Child Care Homes and Early Care and Education Programs are available in English and Spanish.
• Check out these NIEHS webpages to learn more about pesticides and pest allergens.
• Learn more about integrated pest management principles from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

References

• Hazard K, Alkon A, Gunier RB, Castorina R, Camann D, Quarderer S, Bradman A. 2024. Predictors of pesticide levels in carpet dust collected from child care centers in Northern California, USA. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 34(2):229-240. doi: 10.1038/s41370-022-00516-8. [ Abstract Hazard K, Alkon A, Gunier RB, Castorina R, Camann D, Quarderer S, Bradman A. 2024. Predictors of pesticide levels in carpet dust collected from child care centers in Northern California, USA. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 34(2):229-240. doi: 10.1038/s41370-022-00516-8. ]
• Alkon A, Gunier RB, Hazard K, Castorina R, Hoffman PD, Scott RP, Anderson KA, Bradman A. 2022. Preschool-Age Children's Pesticide Exposures in Child Care Centers and at Home in Northern California. J Pediatr Health Care 36(1):34-45. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2021.09.004. Epub 2021 Oct 8. [ Abstract Alkon A, Gunier RB, Hazard K, Castorina R, Hoffman PD, Scott RP, Anderson KA, Bradman A. 2022. Preschool-Age Children's Pesticide Exposures in Child Care Centers and at Home in Northern California. J Pediatr Health Care 36(1):34-45. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2021.09.004. Epub 2021 Oct 8. ]
• Mamedova S, Redford J. 2019. Early Childhood Program Participation, From the National Household Education Surveys Program of 2012 (NCES 2013-029.REV2), National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. [ Abstract Mamedova S, Redford J. 2019. Early Childhood Program Participation, From the National Household Education Surveys Program of 2012 (NCES 2013-029.REV2), National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. ]