Environmental Issues
Bloodborne Pathogens
Drinking Water
Air Quality/Weather Conditions
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
In Pennsylvania, legislation was enacted (Act 36 of 2002) requiring each school district, intermediate unit and area vocational-technical school to develop an IPM plan. The Pennsylvania IPM Program is administered by the
Penn State Extension.
Bed Bugs
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) does NOT recommend students with bedbugs be removed from school.
Head Lice
The Pa DOH in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does NOT recommend schools have a no-nit policy or perform school wide head lice checks.
Department of Health regulations (28 PA Code, Chapter 27 Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Section 27.71) requires that students be excluded if suspected of having live lice.
These regulations do not specify that the student is to be excluded immediately.
It is recommended that students with live lice be sent home at the end of the day and contact the parents and provide instruction to treat the student, any affected family members and the home environment. They are to be readmitted to school immediately following the first treatment. It is also recommended that schools have a policy and procedure in place to address head lice.
Scabies
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) recommends students with scabies be removed from school until appropriate treatment is completed per
Pa Code 27.71