There is no one more deserving of recognition for her work to protect the health of children than Robina Suwol and the organization she founded in 1998, California Safe Schools (CSS) began the day a group of grade school students walked through a toxic cloud of pesticides as they headed to class.
CSS (www.calisafe.org) began the day a group of grade school students walked through a toxic cloud of pesticides as they headed to class. It was March of 1998, when a group of school children, about to begin their day at Sherman Oaks Elementary School, encountered a gardener in a hazardous materials suit employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) which administers Sherman Oaks Elementary among its 800 schools. The gardener, unaware students were present, sprayed the herbicide Princep creating a cloud of pesticide mist students were forced to walk through in order to reach their classrooms. Several parents who had dropped off their children at the school were alarmed to witness this event. One of them was Robina Suwol, whose sons, aged six and ten, walked directly through the cloud. Later, her youngest son, Nicholas, whose asthma had been under control, experienced a severe asthma attack. Suwol's research on a pest management web site sponsored by Cornell University revealed that a single exposure to Princep could cause tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and other symptoms. With no litigious motives, only a desire to protect students, teachers, staff and residents near school site, Robina Suwol led parents to investigate.
They learned that LAUSD, the nation's second-largest school district, relied on an industrial approach to pest control. They learned that training for pesticide appliers at schools was uneven, and that mixtures surpassing recommended safety levels were not unknown at LAUSD. They learned that many chemical pesticides commonly used in schools have a high risk factor for growing children, with risks of cancer and learning disabilities. Because LAUSD cares for more than 800,000 students, the issue of pesticide safety at school became evident as long overdue for parent and community attention. With the support of the School Board, a committee was formed. One year to the date Nicholas became ill, California Safe Schools and LA Unified created the first policy in USA for public schools that embraced the Precautionary Principle and Parents Right to Know regarding pesticides in schools. The policy has become national and international model, and led to California law - Healthy Schools Act 2000 The recent passage of AB 405 (Montanez) was a perfect example of dedication. Robina worked to prevent experimental pesticides, whose health effects are unknown at California k-12 public schools with Assemblymember Montanez. It moved through the Assembly and Senate and was signed on October 6, 20005 by Governor Schwarzenegger.
Robina Suwol is a tireless advocate for health and the environment, especially children. In addition to the effective work provided above, Robina Suwol has taken every opportunity to protect the most vulnerable populations. For example, Robina has been one of the most vocal concerning current EPA regulations, which state that threshold standards for chemical exposure are based on 160lb. adult male and opposed Intentional Dosing of Pesticides for Human Experimentation Studies. As more and more discussions begin on Global Warming, Robina has testified and commented that children's health must be addressed. Since founding CSS, Suwol has achieved national and international prominence as an environmental and children's health activist. An articulate and compelling speaker, Suwol gives frequent presentations on school safety to parents, students, school officials and legislators. She has become increasingly sought after for her testimony before legislative bodies and conferences. Suwol serves on several national boards of directors of environmental and health organizations. In addition, Suwol can be found most weekends volunteering at Health and Safety Fairs, Conferences and community events. Robina is a two time Volvo Award Finalist and the recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 - 2007 Environmental Award and the Red Cross Women of Spirit Award, 2007 US Pollution Prevention Champion , Los Angeles County Children's Leading Boldly Children's Award & South Coast Air Quality Management District's Award, and Prevention Magazine Hero. Recently UTNE Magazine named Robina one of the "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" Thank you for your consideration.
