N.J. leg considers bill limiting pesticide exposure

Assembly members are poised to consider a bill that would make New Jersey a national leader in limiting children’s pesticide exposure.

But it’s still not known if the measure will also get a vote in the state Senate today, the last day of the current legislative session.

The “Child Safe Playing Field Act” would prohibit the use of most lawn pesticides on public and private school playgrounds, recreational fields and day care centers. Low-impact organic pesticide applications would be allowed, and there is an exception that allows stronger pesticides during emergencies.

Proponents say the proposal would be the most far-reaching in the nation.

A similar law in New York state covers just school grounds where students are in grades K-12, while Connecticut’s version is limited to K-8 schools.