Retailers who sell pesticides would have to post warning signs educating consumers about proper handling, storage and disposal along with emergency telephone numbers to call in the event of poisoning.

The warnings, prompted in part by pesticide fumes that sickened school children, are required in a bill passed by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Linda Lingle. A separate bill prohibits sale of pesticides to unlicensed pest-control operators.

Last year, students at Waiau Elementary School in Pearl City, and at 'Aina Haina Elementary, became ill after nearby residents used the pesticide malathion. This month, Kahuku High and Intermediate School on the North Shore was closed after odors from an apparent pesticide.

Clare Apana, who was exposed to malathion in September 2001 from a spill at a neighbor's home, had urged lawmakers to provide greater awareness about the dangers of pesticides. She appeared at a news conference yesterday morning with House leaders at the state Capitol.

"The question really comes down to responsibility," Apana said of consumers.

State House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), said the warning signs, which are on small index cards, are already available through the state Department of Agriculture. The state will work with retailers on how to post the signs.

"They're not very big. They're just little index cards. But they can make a world of difference for people by telling them how to use the pesticide, how to store the pesticide, and most importantly, how to dispose of the pesticide if they don't want to use it anymore," Caldwell said.

State Rep. Clifton Tsuji, D-3rd (S. Hilo, Puna, Kea'au), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said the bill prohibiting the sale of pesticides to unlicensed pest-control operators came after reports of at least two unlicensed operators.

"It's very important to know that it's illegal to do any type of restricted pesticide use if you are not properly licensed," Tsuji said.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.