Urgent: “First, do no harm” At Risk

The fall season is upon us, and lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means for healthcare facilities to “first, do no harm.” For years, we’ve taken for granted that products registered by federal agencies have been vetted with public health also in mind — But recently that trust is no longer warranted.

The healthcare industry holds itself to the highest standards of safety and care. That same commitment must extend to the products applied to your facilities and grounds. Take a look at our section below for more information about the concerning developments in oversight of pesticides in use at hospitals and healthcare facilities have been significantly dismantled.

It is important for the safety and health of your patients and staff to read the section below.

Our team is available pro bono for consultation to assist your facility to align your pest and land care management policies with the core mission of health care: to protect and heal, not to harm. Please reach out for more information and to talk about how we can help you prioritize your patients' and staff health and safety.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a safe and healthy year ahead.

– Sean Lynch

IPM in Health Care Facilities Project Director

First Do No Harm - Undermined:

Important Update

Recent developments, such as those in the US EPA’s pesticide regulation, have made one thing unmistakably clear: public health and environmental safety are no longer at the center of national pesticide oversight, consequently impacting healthcare facilities’ commitment to protect patients from pesticides linked to the very illnesses they are being treated for. Of concern: In June 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency appointed a former farm and pesticide lobbyist to oversee pesticide regulation. In addition, EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which includes the Office of Pesticide Programs, the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, is now run by three ex-pesticide industry lobbyists.

These appointments raise serious questions about conflicts of interest and whose interests are being served. Just in the last few months, the EPA approved four new pesticides that qualify as PFAS chemicals (“forever chemicals”) known to cause certain cancers and are linked to other health issues, including liver damage and immune suppression.

These decisions illustrate a larger and deeply concerning pattern. The systems designed to protect communities from harmful chemical exposure are now influenced by the very industries they are supposed to regulate. Instead of tightening oversight in the face of mounting evidence about the dangers of toxic pesticides, the regulatory environment is relaxing standards and quickly allowing new chemical products into use. For healthcare facilities committed to patient safety and sustainability, this is a warning. Facilities can no longer rely on industry assurances or federal approval labels as evidence of safety.

Now more than ever, it is the responsibility of healthcare facilities to take control of what is used within their walls and on their grounds. Implementing a prioritized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program provides your facility with the necessary control. This approach places non-chemical pest prevention and intervention first, focusing on maintenance and sanitation, and restricting pesticide use to the least toxic options only after non-chemical measures have been exhausted or shown to be unreasonable. Maryland state law requires this approach for our public school system - certainly, pediatric patients, as well as all patients and staff, deserve the same protections. Through clear policies, staff education, and vendor accountability, prioritized IPM helps ensure that patient care environments remain free from unnecessary chemical hazards while still addressing pest concerns.

We are here to help you. Contact me.

Media Spotlight:

Rethinking “Clean” in Healthcare

In this featured video, Dr. Ana Rule of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health examines the overuse of disinfectants in healthcare facilities and the health risks linked to many common cleaning products. She explains that most respiratory viruses spread person to person, not from surfaces, which means disinfectants are often used far more than necessary.

Dr. Rule outlines safer, effective alternatives and introduces SaferDisinfectants.org (see below) as a key resource for choosing less toxic options. Her message aligns with the goals of prioritized Integrated Pest Management by reminding facilities that prevention and least-toxic methods protect both health and the environment.

Check your disinfectants for risk level

Some regularly used disinfectants in facilities are actually registered pesticides that can deplete a patient’s immune system and harm respiratory function. Use the SaferDisinfectants.org website to see if what your facility uses is an “increased risk” or “safer” product.

Go to the SaferDisinfectants.org website's The List page and search your products by name, using your browser search keys, "Command + F" on Macs and "Control + F" on PCs. Type in the name to see if it has an increased risk or is a safer choice. View the Safer Choice list and sort by use site and need for better product choices.

Find effective safer products to replace the increased-risk ones

When Warnings Fall Silent:

Why Healthcare Must Lead on Chemical Safety

Since, as discussed in an earlier section, recent decisions from federal regulators make it increasingly clear that healthcare facilities cannot rely on industry or policy alone to safeguard public health, healthcare facilities are on the front lines of keeping patients and staff safe. The chemical industry appears to be exerting influence over federal and state policy, often at odds with public health. Investigative reporting shows that pesticide firms have launched aggressive campaigns to limit manufacturer liability and block cancer-warning labels on their products. Bayer, for example, has actively pushed state laws designed to protect pesticide producers from litigation even in cases where exposure has been shown to lead to harm. These maneuvers heighten the need for institutions to review and reject harmful products independently.

Finally, the longstanding issue of failure to warn about chemical risks persists across industries. Cases have been catalogued where manufacturers did not fully disclose hazards associated with their products, meaning that hospitals relying solely on product labels or vendor assurances may be left vulnerable. Now more than ever, your facility should take decisive steps in pest management and land care by adopting a prioritized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Establish internal oversight protocols to minimize unnecessary pesticide use, and hold vendors accountable by setting clear IPM policy requirements in your contracts.

Latest Tips from Joe

Joe Griffin had a 16-year tenure at Sheppard Pratt and 35+ years of Senior Level Facility Support Operations experience.

Choosing safe and effective pest management strategies and safer disinfectants demands careful consideration. It's hard to imagine a more sensitive issue for hospitals, especially since the thousands of hospitals in the US see about 32 million inpatients, 83 million outpatients, and over a hundred million emergency room patients each year.

EVS Directors have their hands full, so we tend to rely on our contracted pest and land care vendors. That's why it's critical to remember:

Your vendors work for YOU and under YOUR guidelines to provide a safe facility environment, without adverse harm from pesticides.

These seasonal tips will help your facility this Winter:

Entrances and Exits: Ensure that your door sweeps are in good condition, and regularly check these areas, making sure they are kept clear of clutter, and trash.
Maintain indoor air quality. Regularly check and maintain air filters in HVAC systems to ensure good indoor air quality and comfort.
Safe use of ice melts: Use safe, non-toxic ice melts and slip-prevention products during inclement weather. Some traditional de-icing salts and anti-slip treatments contain harmful chemicals that may be tracked indoors, posing risks to patients, staff, and visitors.

The IPM in Health Care Facilities Project promotes safer pest and weed management best practices that are effective and protect the public and environment. Exposure to harmful pesticides can cause or exacerbate the very issues for which patients/residents are being treated. We are dedicated to keeping you updated on important news and research. We support your efforts to ensure a protected and toxic-free environment for your facility and those you serve —

and ALL our IPM in Health Care Facilities Project services are FREE.

For information and help,

Sean@mdpestnet.org or

call 301-664-4374

Our services are always free.

Visit our website for resources