Pesticide Information
Pesticides could harm your health and the environment if not handled properly. Always read and follow the directions on the pesticide label. In addition, pesticide users must know the hazards of the product before applying. If a weed product is toxic to fish, make sure it stays out of nearby fish ponds or streams. If a product is toxic to honey bees, don't use in areas where honey bees forage. Aerosol products and foggers should not be used around people with asthma or other breathing problems. Use the links below to learn about potential hazards of pesticides.
Telephone Hotlines
- National Pesticide Information Center
1-800-858-7378
Provides information to the general public and health care providers about health and environmental toxicity of pesticides. Emphasis on objective, science-based information. Provides service in English and Spanish.
- Oregon Poison Control Center
1-800-222-1222
Can identify ingredients in many pesticide products and provide information about toxicity. Advises about medical treatment following over-exposure to pesticides. Service in English and other languages available.
- Oregon Emergency Response Center
1-800-452-0311 or 503-378-6377
OERS coordinates responses to pesticide spills or releases. To report a fire, gaseous cloud or other emergency dial 911.
Internet Resources
Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division
The website of the Oregon Department of Agriculture provides state specific information relating to IPM, pesticides, fertilizers and plant and insect pests. Links are also provided to receive information on specific pesticide information, laws, rules and regulations, contents of heavy metals in fertilizers and the waste pesticide collection program.
Oregon’s Pesticide Use Reporting System
The 1999 Oregon Legislature passed a bill creating the Pesticide Use Reporting System. This law requires Web-based reporting of all pesticide applications in the state of Oregon conducted: in the course of business; or for a government entity; or in a location intended for public use or access.
National Pesticide Information Center
This site contains general and technical fact sheets that are desinged to answer common questions about pesticides.
CROET - Center for Research on Environmental and Occupational Toxicology
Located at Oregon Health & Science University and offers information on occupational health and safety in schools.
PARC
The PARC Board has representatives from nine state agencies with pesticide-related roles. PARC can mobilize resources to investigate incidents, collect incident data to identify trends, make recommendations, and reduce pesticide-related risks to Oregonians and our environment. 503-986-6470.
Oregon OSHA
Provides resource materials, training and consultative services. Receives and investigates complaints about occupational exposure to pesticides. 503-378-3274.
Reporting Pesticide Poisonings
Oregon's reporting guidelines for pesticide poisoning, including physician and health department responsibilities, forms, phone numbers and pesticide exposure symptoms. This is an Adobe PDF.
Toxicological Profiles
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) produces "toxicological profiles" for hazardous substances found at National Priorities List (NPL) sites. These hazardous substances are ranked based on frequency of occurrence at NPL sites, toxicity, and potential for human exposure. Toxicological profiles are developed from a priority list of 275 substances.
Health and environmental information on pesticides
The California School IPM site helps schools compare environmental and health impacts of pesticides used at schools. Use the School IPM HELPR function to compare hazard of pesticides and other methods of controlling common pests.
WSU Pesticide Information - WSU Pesticide Education Program Fact Sheets
This section of the WSU Pesticide Education program allows the user to access fact sheets on IPM, personal safety and environmental protection. Select "pesticide fact sheets" for information about personal safety, environmental protection and IPM.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pesticide fact sheets
These are general fact sheets on pesticide use. The EPA is the federal agency with responsibility for regulating pesticide products.
(MSDS) for pesticide products
An MSDS is a brief fact sheet with hazard information for workers who mix and apply the pesticide product. The MSDS and label list some of the pesticide ingredients and also the company phone number for emergencies. An MSDS and label for every pesticide product registered in Washington are also on file at the WA Dept. of Agriculture (360)902-2030.
EXTOXENT
This is a university-sponsored site which offers summaries of scientific information on pesticide active ingredients. If you don't know the common name of a pesticide product's active ingredient (e.g. permethrin, diazinon) you can find it on the label and the MSDS (see the websites listed under MSDS).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pesticide fact sheets
Detailed documents on specific pesticides.
National Library of Medicine Toxicology Network
This is a cluster of somewhat technical databases of toxicology of hazardous substances. The Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) has information on a number of pesticides. This site also has links to Medline and PubMed for searching scientific journals for studies about chemicals.
Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings
This is a free online version of a physician manual produced by EPA. It contains detailed information about toxicity of pesticides, symptoms of over-exposure, and recommendations for treating acute illnesses related to pesticides. Manual is available in English and Spanish.
Pesticide Information Center Online
The PICOL pesticide label database contains information from pesticide labels in a searchable format. The database is supported by WSU and is designed to identify which pesticides are currently allowed for use on a given crop, or pest. It takes a little time to learn how to use this powerful database. Instructions are available online.
Pesticide Storage and Disposal
ODA Pesticide Storage and Disposal
This webpage from the Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division links to information on pesticide storage, container recycling, pesticide collection, managing waste pesticides, spill reporting and cleanup.
ODA offers advice on home use pesticides
On March 7, 2007, Oregon Department of Agriculture posted a news article on the safe use and disposal of home use pesticides.
Household Pesticides
Schools may also be able to dispose of over-the-counter pesticides at household hazardous waste collection events. To find out more about household hazardous waste disposal in your area, contact your county solid waste program (in the blue pages of your telephone book) or call 1-800-cleanup or visit the Earth's 911 website. |
