The Maine Board of Pesticides Control will hold an open meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss how health care providers could reduce their use of pesticides.

One in a series of meetings to collect information about commercial pesticide use, the session is part of a board effort to establish integrated pest management – a system that relies on chemical pesticides only as a last resort – in Maine’s public buildings.

Last year, the board approved a similar rule for schools, which requires integrated pest management plans as well as the notification of interested parents whenever pesticides are used.

In addition to replacing pre-emptive spraying with integrated management plans, the board also hopes to ban spraying in occupied rooms and to require employers give their workers and-or residents a 24-hour notice that spraying will occur.

Those who work in hospitals, nursing homes or similar facilities are encouraged to attend Friday’s session, while an additional meeting for restaurant, grocery and other food processing, handling and serving businesses has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, Nov. 5.

Both sessions will be held at the Senator Inn and Spa, on Western Avenue in Augusta.

For more information, contact the board at 287-2731.