Health and Safety Fact Sheets

Assessing Health Risks from Pesticides - EPA scientists and analysts carefully review test data to determine whether to register (license) a pesticide product or a use and whether specific restrictions are necessary. This fact sheet is a brief overview of EPA’s process for assessing potential risks to human health when evaluating pesticide products.

Citizens Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety - This 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, PDF format)

Counterfeit Pesticide Products for Dogs and Cats - EPA has ordered pesticide distributors and retailers in a number of states to stop selling counterfeit pet pesticide products which falsely contain EPA Registration numbers and labeling for the "Advantage" and "Frontline" lines of pesticides. This fact sheet includes detailed information, including photos of legitimate products.

Insect Repellent DEET - DEET is an ingredient used in many insect repellents. This page discusses EPA's actions concerning DEET, as well as tips on how to use DEET products safely.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Food Production - IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This fact sheet discusses the use of IPM in an agricultural setting.

Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment: Caring for Your Lawn in an Environmentally Friendly Way - This small EPA brochure gives tips on working with nature to grow a lawn that is healthy while minimizing the use of pesticides. It also gives tips on the safe use of pesticides, when necessary, on choosing a lawn care service, and where to find more information on this subject. (1.7 MB, in PDF format)

Methyl Parathion and EPA's Actions - There have been incidents involving use of the highly toxic pesticide methyl parathion to get rid of insects in homes. Because of this illegal and hazardous use, EPA has taken steps to make methyl parathion more difficult obtain.

Mosquito Control Fact Sheets - Links to documents providing some basic information on mosquito control, safety precautions, and insecticides used for mosquito control programs.

Pesticide Consumer Alert - A tailored summary of the agency's chemical safety alert entitled, "Chemical Accident Prevention: Site Security".

Pesticides in Drinking Water Wells - This booklet is intended for people who drink well water, and who are concerned that pesticides might be present in that water. (PDF format)

Pesticide Product Recalls - EPA continually works to reduce the risks to human heath and the environment by requiring pesticide registrants to report any potential problems with EPA registered pesticide products. EPA works with registrants to recall products whenever products are deemed faulty or substandard or could potentially cause injury to consumers or harm to the environment. Registrants often voluntarily recall products and reformulate or repair potential hazards.

Pesticide Safety Tips - Provide a list of important tips for the safe handling of household pesticide products.

Potential of Chemicals to Affect the Endocrine System - Endocrine disrupters are chemicals that disturb the normal functioning of the endocrine system. This page discusses such chemicals, EPA's research on them, and what you can do to avoid them.

Read the Label First is an interactive guide that explains the statements found on a pesticide product label. The explanations of these statements should provide consumers with a better understanding of the label contents.

Retailers and Counterfeit Pet Products (360 KB, PDF) - EPA has ordered pesticide distributors and retailers in a number of states to stop selling counterfeit pet pesticide products which falsely contain EPA Registration numbers and labeling for the "Advantage" and "Frontline" lines of pesticides. This fact sheet includes detailed information for retailers, including photos of legitimate products.

Safety Precautions for Total Release Foggers - Total release foggers, also known as "bug bombs," are pesticide products containing aerosol propellants that release their contents at once to fumigate an area. These products are often used around the home to kill cockroaches, fleas, and other pests.

Spray Drift of Pesticides - Spray drift from pesticides can expose people, wildlife and the environment to pesticide residues that can cause health and environmental effects and property damage. For these reasons, OPP has been actively engaged in a number of initiatives to help prevent such problems.

Taking Care of your Pet During Flea and Tick Season - Taking care of your pets responsibly includes protecting them from fleas and ticks. Before purchasing and applying pesticide products to pets to control fleas and ticks, there is important information you should know.

Using Insect Repellents Safely - This resource suggests ways of choosing insect repellents, safely applying the repellent, reading the label for pesticide safety information, and avoiding ticks and Lyme disease.

Wood Preservatives

Preliminary Risk Assessment for Workers Who Contact Wood Preservatives Containing Arsenic and/or Chromium and Ecological Effects Assessment: Questions and Answers - This preliminary assessment includes potential health risks for workers, as well as ecological effects and environmental risks, associated with wood preservatives containing arsenic and/or chromium. The assessment includes an evaluation of the potential risks to handlers and post_application workers from exposure to these chemicals.

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) and Its Use as a Wood Preservative - CCA, also known as Wolmanized wood, is used on decks, fences and playground equipment to prevent wood decay. This Web site provides the current regulatory status, as well as technical and general information regarding the handling, use, and potential hazards associated with CCA-treated wood.

Creosote and its Use as a Wood Preservative - Creosote is a wood preservative used for commercial purposes only; it has no registered residential uses. Creosote is obtained from high temperature distillation of coal tar. It is used as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and sporicide to protect wood, primarily utility poles and railroad ties. EPA is currently reassessing creosote as part of its ongoing reregistration program.

Methyl Isothiocyanate (MITC) - MITC is a wood preservative used to control wood rot and fungi, and is used on larger structures such as utility poles. It is considered to be toxic is swallowed, and can cause skin irritation. The EPA is currently reviewing the potential health and environmental effects of MITC.

Protecting Children

Pesticides and Child Safety - With an estimated 73,000 children involved in common household pesticide-related poisonings or exposures in the United States in 2000, this document provides recommendations for preventing accidental poisoning, provides emergency numbers, and discusses basic first aid.

Protecting Children from Pesticides - This fact sheet describes the vulnerability of children to pesticides and some of the actions EPA has taken to protect children.

Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings around the Home (Also available in Spanish) - This publication provides resources and safety tips to prevent pesticide and lead poisoning.

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