Hello, I recently received a LEED review back that states: "Several chemicals listed in the IPM plan, including diatomaceous earth and pyrethrum, do not appear to be least toxic according to the definition provided in the Implementation Section of IEQc3.6 in the LEED Reference Guide. [...] Please revise the plan to ensure that it does not list diatomaceous earth and pyrethrum as least toxic pesticides approved for general use at the project building and grounds." It goes on to state that if they were used, universal 72-hr notification must be provided. We actually did NOT use any pesticide treatments during the perf period so we are not in jeopardy of losing the credit as long as we revise the Plan. But, I'm wondering why DE and other natural chemicals are no longer accepted. I've been using the same IPM plan template for years and have never had a review comment on this. DE and Pyrethrum are both listed as suitable treatments on the LEEDUser Sample IPM plan too. Anyone have any ideas why this is no longer acceptable? They seem like natural alternatives that would be supported in IPM.
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Trista Brown
Project DirectorWSP USA
456 thumbs up
April 18, 2014 - 2:02 pm
Hi Alexis, DE and pyrethrum/pyrethrins are Tier 1 and 2 according to the updated SF Pesticide Hazard Screening List. This is likely why you received the flag. We'll update the LEEDuser IPM plan template to remove these from the approved products. Thanks!