Warning — This study could scare customers.

NPMA Issues Member Advisory in Response to NIH Study on Prenatal Exposure to OPs4/26/2011

http://www.pctonline.com/Article.aspx?article_id=115670


The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institute of Health recently published the results of a study titled Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year Old Children

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Editor’s note: The National Pest Management Association issued the following member advisory in response to a recently released study from NIH titled Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year Old Children.

FAIRFAX, Va. — Late last week the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institute of Health published the results of a study titled Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year Old Children. Some media outlets have run reports on the study and their headlines have queried whether "Pesticides are Dumbing Down Our Kids" while others have indeed suggested that "Pesticide Exposure in the Womb is Linked to Lower IQ Scores."

Related PCT Feature

April PCT includes a feature relevant to this topic titled Warning — This study could scare customers. The article examines why pest management firms need to develop a communication plan that helps employees deliver the facts to your customers.

Representatives from NPMA have reviewed the findings of the study. The pesticides in question are not used in the structural pest control industry and accordingly, we do not intend to offer any statements or comments on the report. If your company is contacted by a customer or member of the media about the study, please feel free to use the following statement to guide your response:

"The pesticides studied in the recent report published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institute of Health are not used by the professional pest management industry. All pest products used within the industry are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after it has reviewed extensive heath and safety data and made a determination that the product meets the federal government's tough health standard. As such, consumers should feel confident that the application of such products will be done expertly and only by qualified and licensed pest professionals as directed on the product label. The professional pest control industry's primary concern is for the health, safety and protection of its customers and the American public."

If you have any questions or if we can provide assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the NPMA office. Technical questions should be directed to NPMA Technical Director, Jim Fredericks, and media questions directed to NPMA Vice President of Public Affairs, Missy Henriksen.


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