Pesticides: Health and Safety

EPA's mission related to pesticides is to protect public health and the environment from risks posed by pesticides and to promote safer means of pest control.

The information in this area provides an overview of EPA's pesticide human health risk assessment processes. It also describes EPA's efforts to reduce risks for workers and the public, as well as to protect the public from such pests as mosquitos.

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Human Health Issues
How EPA reviews safety of pesticides
Human Health Risk Assessments,  How EPA Assesses Risk,  Cumulative Risk Assessment,  Residue Limits on Food,  Pesticides on Food,  more...

Protecting Children
Ways to reduce risks to children from pesticides
Protecting Children from Pesticides,  Ten Tips to Protect Children from Poisonings,  Poison Prevention,  more...

Protecting Pets
Protect your pets from potential risks from pests and pesticides
Taking Care of Your Pet During Flea and Tick Season,  Counterfeit Pesticide Products for Dogs and Cats,  Read the Label First: Protect Your Pet,  more...

Worker Safety and Training
Information for people who use or are exposed to pesticides on the job
Worker Protection Standard,  Restricted Use Pesticides,  Certification & Training,  other resources,  more...

Using Pesticides Safely
Suggestions for the public on pesticide safety
Reading a Pesticide Label,  Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety,  Protect Your Home,  Protect Your Kids,  more...

Public Health Issues
Information on control of designated public health pests
Public Health Pests,  Spray Drift,  Pesticides in Drinking Water,  Anthrax,  Controlling Mosquitos,  more...

Illegal Pesticide Products
Information on several unregistered pesticide products being illegally marketed in various areas of the country
Insecticidal Chalk ,  Willie Colon on Illegal Pesticides,  more...

Reducing Pesticide Risk
Registering lower risk pesticides and more
Biopesticides,  Review of Older Pesticides,  Integrated Pest Management,  more...

Emergency Information
Responding to poisoning and spill incidents
Human Exposure/First Aid,  Spills,  Incident Reporting

Resources
Additional resources for health and safety information
Government Agencies,  Non-Governmental Organizations,  Databases, more...