RESOURCES
Determining the types of pesticide ingredients/chemicals in specific products
The pesticide product label lists only the active ingredients (not inerts)
The Poison Control Center network has access to databases that contain most product names and ingredients (1-800-222-1222)
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) will contain a list of the ingredients that are considered hazardous to health. All manufacturers are required to produce these for their products. Employers are required to have an MSDS available for workers.
The National Pesticide Information Center has links to product, label and MSDS databases at 1-800-858-7378 9:30 am to 7:30 PM EST.
The National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database provides a readily available interface to identify product ingredients based on product brand names
A treating physician can obtain the full list of product ingredients (including inerts) directly from the company by calling the phone number listed on the product label. To obtain this information, the physician may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Once the list of ingredients is available, the chemical class can be obtained from various sources. The Pesticide Action Network database on pesticide exposures, symptoms, and toxicity provides information on chemical class, covers both acute and chronic health effects, and is especially useful for agricultural exposure situations.
Clinical information on acute exposure signs and symptoms and recommended diagnostic and treatment strategies for specific pesticides
The U.S. EPA's Handbook Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings covers toxicology, signs and symptoms of poisoning, and treatment on the major types of pesticides. The most recent fifth edition (1999) is available in Spanish, English, and on the web
The Regional Poison Control Centers and their affiliated clinical toxicologists. 1-800-222-1222
Chronic exposure information for specific pesticides and other professional consultation on pesticide toxicity
The National Pesticide Medical Monitoring Program (NPMMP) is a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The NPMMP provides informational assistance in the assessment of human exposure to pesticides npmmp@oregonstate.edu , or via fax at (541) 737-9047
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units are coordinated by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics to provide regional academically-based free consultation for health care providers. They are supported by the U.S. EPA/CDC-Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toll Free: (888) 347-AOEC (2632)
Pesticide incident reporting requirements for health care providers
Contact your State Health Department
Analytical Laboratories for pesticides in blood and urine
The NPMMP (see above) is affiliated with the CDC and provides quantitative laboratory measurements of pesticides in environmental or biological samples in select cases involving human exposure to pesticides
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For identification of commercial labs capable of non-routine analyses for pesticides and metabolites, contact your regional Poison Control Center or regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (contacts for both above)
Patient information on pest control alternatives, safe use of pesticides
Citizens Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety - This EPA publication teaches consumers how to control pests in and around the home, alternatives to chemical pesticides, how to choose pesticides, and how to use, store, and dispose of them safely. It also discusses how to reduce exposure when others use pesticides, how to prevent pesticide poisoning and how to handle an emergency, how to choose a pest control company, and what to do if someone is poisoned by a pesticide. (2.4 MB)
The University of California maintains a website on Integrated Pest Management approaches for common home and garden pests.
Workplace health and safety information
Information on the EPA worker protection standards
Employee factsheets developed by the State of California Worker Health and Safety Branch
Other
The National Library of Medicine has a comprehensive and well-organized list of weblink resources on pesticides