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Pesticide Science and Assessing Pesticide Risks
Contact Us


HUMAN HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO PESTICIDES



Pesticides are designed to (in most cases) kill pests. Many pesticides can also
pose risks to people. Generally, however, people are likely to be exposed to
only very small amounts of a pesticides – too small to pose a risk.

To determine risk, one must consider both the toxicity or hazard of the
pesticide and the likelihood of exposure. A low level of exposure to a very
toxic pesticide may be no more dangerous than a high level of exposure to a
relatively low toxicity pesticide, for example.

On this page:

 * What are the potential health effects of pesticides?
 * How does EPA determine what the effects of pesticides on humans are and
   whether they are acceptable?
 * Where can I get information on health risks of pesticides I have in my home?
 * How does EPA use information on toxicity and health effects of pesticides?
 * What other information is there?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES?

The health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide. Some, such as
the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may
irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect
the hormone or endocrine system in the body. 

EPA's human health risk assessments for many pesticides are available via
Chemical Search. Search for the pesticide of interest and look in the regulatory
actions or docket tabs.

Learn more about:

 * How EPA evaluates pesticides for potential carcinogenicity
 * The endocrine disruption screening program




HOW DOES EPA DETERMINE WHAT THE EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES ON HUMANS ARE AND WHETHER
THEY ARE ACCEPTABLE?

A major consideration in approving pesticides for use is whether they pose an
unreasonable risk to humans. EPA assesses risks associated with individual
pesticide active ingredients, as well as with groups of pesticides that have a
common toxic effect. This latter assessment is called cumulative risk
assessment and is designed to evaluate the risk associated with exposure at one
time to multiple pesticides that act the same way in the body.

Part of EPA's assessment of health risks of pesticides is a determination that
there is "reasonable certainty of no harm" posed by pesticide residues
allowed to remain on food. Before approving a pesticide, EPA sets limits on how
the pesticide may be used, how often it may be used, what protective clothing or
equipment must be used, and so on. These limits are designed to protect human
health and the environment.

Learn more about:

 * Human health risk assessment




WHERE CAN I GET INFORMATION ON HEALTH RISKS OF PESTICIDES I HAVE IN MY HOME?

EPA has a cooperative agreement with Oregon State University, which operates The
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). This center provides objective,
science-based information about a variety of pesticide-related subjects,
including pesticide products, recognition and management of pesticide
poisonings, toxicology, and environmental chemistry. NPIC also lists state
pesticide regulatory agencies, and provides links to their Web sites NPIC can be
contacted at: 1-800-858-7378 or by email at npic@ace.orst.edu.  For more
information, visit the NPIC websiteExit EPA’s website.




HOW DOES EPA USE INFORMATION ON TOXICITY AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES?

Beyond the basic approval process for pesticides, which requires pesticides to
meet a standard for safety to humans and the environment, the degree of toxicity
determines what precautions must appear on the pesticide label. These include,
for example:

 * the use of protective clothing
 * the "signal word" (caution, warning, danger)
 * the first aid statements, and
 * whether the pesticide may be used only by specially trained and certified
   applicators (restricted use pesticides)

The pesticide toxicity categories are determined by the effects caused if the
pesticide is consumed, inhaled, or placed in contact with the skin.




WHAT OTHER INFORMATION IS THERE?

EPA has developed a table of human health benchmarks for approximately 350
pesticides that are currently registered to be used on food crops. These human
health benchmarks for pesticides are levels of certain pesticides in water at or
below which adverse health effects are not anticipated from one-day or lifetime
exposures. The benchmarks are for pesticides for which the agency has not issued
a drinking water health advisory or set an enforceable federal drinking water
standard.

 * Pesticide Science and Assessing Pesticide Risks Home
 * Risk Assessment Decisions
 * Environmental Risk Assessment
 * Human Health Risk Assessment

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 4, 2023


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