Awareness, Support and Perceived Impact of the Connecticut Pesticide Bans

The state of Connecticut, as with a couple of other states, have enacted new laws in an attempt to limit pesticide exposure to children. In Connecticut these laws have been primarily focused toward schools and municipal maintained areas. A central tenant of these laws is that limiting exposure will have increased health consequences. However, even though policies are being enacted, little research exists that examine how residents perceive these laws. Using results from an online survey of around 500 consumers within Connecticut, we examine Connecticut resident perceptions of these laws as well as examine how residents view the risks associated with pesticide (and other lawn maintenance product) applications within schools, parks, athletic fields, and at their homes. More specifically, we measure awareness and support for the Connecticut pesticide laws that ban pesticides being applied on K-8^th grade school grounds and at municipal areas. We then examine resident views associated with the impacts of the laws, such as impact on child health, school ground budgets, field quality, etc. With respect to areas not covered by the pesticide bans, such as homes, we examine whether residents have changed their maintenance practices since the pesticide bans have come into effect. Finally, we examine the role of demographics on support for/against the pesticide bans as well as the role of demographics on valuing their impact. Notably, we find that demographics do play a role in both awareness and perceived impact of the pesticide bans. Potential policy implications are discussed.