Pesticides
Introduction
Pesticides
A pesticide is any substance used to kill, repel, or control certain forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests. Pesticides include herbicides for destroying weeds and other unwanted vegetation, insecticides for controlling a wide variety of insects, fungicides used to prevent the growth of molds and mildew, disinfectants for preventing the spread of bacteria, and compounds used to control mice and rats. Because of the widespread use of agricultural chemicals in food production, people are exposed to low levels of pesticide residues through their diets. Scientists do not yet have a clear understanding of the health effects of these pesticide residues. Results from the Agricultural Health Study, an ongoing study of pesticide exposures in farm families, may be found at http://aghealth.nih.gov. Other evidence suggests that children are particularly susceptible to adverse effects from exposure to pesticides, including neurodevelopmental effects. People may also be exposed to pesticides used in a variety of settings including homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.
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What NIEHS is Doing on Pesticides
- 14th Report on Carcinogens
- A Human Health Perspective on Climate Change (Full Report)(4MB)
- Applying 21st Century Toxicology to Green Chemical and Material Design - Workshop Presentations from the National Academies Standing Committee on Use of Emerging Science for Environmental Health Decisions
- High Pesticide Exposure Associated with Cognitive Decline
- NIH Study Finds Two Pesticides Associated with Parkinson's Disease
- Organophosphates
- PestiBytes: A Podcast Series on Common Pesticide Questions
- Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Report
A Watchful Eye on Farm Families’ Health
General Information
- Pesticide Action Network North America - PAN seeks to reduce the use of pesticides through more economically viable alternatives. Publishes reports on pesticide use, health effects, occupational safety, etc. Website also offers a Pesticide Database that allows you to search by chemical or product.
- Pesticide Exposure - The National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Enviro-health links website provides an excellent set of resources that address the relationship between pesticides and human health. The page provides links to selected websites on pesticide exposure, as well as on the treatment and prevention of pesticide poisoning.
- Evaluating Chemicals: Is It Safe? Movie (English & Spanish Versions)
- Some Natural Pesticide Alternatives (English)(114KB)
- Some Natural Pesticide Alternatives (Spanish)(118KB)
- Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Pest Control (English)(310KB)
- Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Pest Control (Spanish)(337KB)
- Healthy Homes = Healthy Kids: Pest Control (Arabic)(352KB)
For Educators
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Arsenic and Lead Scavenger Hunt(357KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: A Yen for Maximum Residue Limits in Food(144KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Is Organic Food Worth the Cost?(228KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Pyrethroid Panic(153KB)
- Libro Para Colorear (Coloring Book)(781KB)
- Pesticide Safety: Elementary School Curriculum(4MB)
- Pesticide Safety: Preschool Curriculum (Bilingual)(5MB)