A new Ventura County Grand Jury report says the state and county have been effective in reducing the risk of pesticide exposure at schools in agricultural areas, but that monitoring efforts should be expanded.
New regulations require ag operations to notify nearby schools and day care centers prior to pesticide use. They also limit pesticide application when the facilities are in use.
The Grand Jury says implementation of the regulations in 2018 have made a difference, noting there have been no complaints from schools about pesticide issues in the last two years.
The report notes the only air collection monitoring station by the state is at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard. It says more collection points should be established to reassure the community that the schools are safe.
