Minnesota Education Project Signals New Era In Communication & Outreach

News Date November 20, 2007

        As part of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs, the NASDA Research Foundation is working closely with the Environmental Resource Council (ERC), a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization, on a multifaceted educational initiative focused at rural medical professionals and those certifying pesticide applicators. While doctors, the authorities certifying and training pesticide applicators, and applicators themselves are three very different groups, the ERC sought to cultivate a coherent and integrated approach to developing pesticide outreach programs appropriate for the audience. The goal of the project was not only to promote a greater understanding of pesticide incidents and promote safe pesticide application but to also assure that medical practitioners and state applicator certifying officials were the two most reliable sources of information on pesticides for applicators, those potentially exposed to pesticides or their residues, and the general public.

        The ERC began its outreach and education effort in 2004 by working with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health, part of the Blue Cross-Blue Shield corporate family. Working cooperatively, they conducted dozens of focus groups and workgroups to determine what type of education and outreach materials could assist medical practitioners and state applicator certifying officials in becoming reliable, trusted, and well informed sources of information regarding pesticide issues. The ERC curriculum will help doctors in rural areas to better and more succinctly describe pesticide exposure issues to patients, their families, and other interested parties. The nationally applicable curriculum will be suitable for continuing medical education programs.

        For those certifying and educating pesticide applicators and applicators themselves, Bruce Bomier, board chair of the ERC, worked closely with such partners as Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Dr. Dean Herzfeld, coordinator, Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education of the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service, to develop a Best Practices training program. While the Best Practices guide is being vetted in Minnesota, the final product will be appropriate for national use. The Best Practices guide focuses on seven critical areas of applicator safety including: 1) reading and following pesticide label instructions; 2) using protective clothing and equipment; 3) remaining vigilant and prepared for potential mishaps; 4) avoiding any possible ingestion of pesticides; 5) washing equipment frequently; 6) controlling waste streams and avoiding unnecessary human exposure; 7) warning applicators to expect tougher enforcement, and the need to always observe these guidelines. (Contact: Dick Herrett)