Pesticides Around the Home and Your Health - What Are The Real Risks?

Pesticides in the Home

In the Home | In the Garden

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In the Home

Antimicrobial Pesticide Products - Antimicrobials are used to destroy organisms such as bacteria or fungi on inanimate objects. Antimicrobials can be found in products such as disinfectants and antiseptics. This page provides a description of the usage and types of Antimicrobial products. It also discusses EPA's regulation of antimicrobials.

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

Consumer Labeling Initiative (CLI) - CLI is a voluntary, cooperative effort designed to present clear, consistent, and useful environmental, safe use, and health information on household consumer product labels. Government and industry groups are working together to make it easier for consumers to find, read, and understand label information, thus enabling consumers to compare products and safely use the ones they select.

Consumer Products Treated with Pesticides - Many products, ranging from toothbrushes to children's toys, are treated with antimicrobial pesticides in order to get rid of bacteria. Before making public health pesticidal claims, such products must be approved and registered by the EPA, or must be exempt from registration. There are products that have not been authorized to make health claims, which can mislead the consumer into thinking that the product is antibacterial.

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

Pesticides in Drinking Water Wells - This PDF booklet is intended for people who drink well water, and who are concerned that pesticides might be present in that water. (1.24 MB, PDF format)

Read the Label First is an interactive label which 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.

Safety Precautions for Total Release Foggers - EPA has provided uses of total release foggers (bug bombs) with helpful hints in order to help the user reduce the potential of hazards associated with these products.

AllerCare™ Product Recall. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing that SC Johnson and Son, Inc. (SC Johnson) the manufacturer of the pesticide product, AllerCare™ Dust Mite Carpet Powder (EPA Registration Number 4822-433) and AllerCare™ Dust Mite Allergen Spray for Carpet and Upholstery, has committed to immediately stop production and shipment of these products and to remove these products from the marketplace.

In Response to the Mother Jones Article on Ineffective Hospital Disinfectants - The article "Unsanitary Behavior" appeared in the July/August 1997 issue of Mother Jones magazine. The article discussed the alleged use of unregistered and ineffective disinfectants in United States hospitals. This page lists questions and answers about the use of disinfectants and other products in hospitals, as well as EPA's regulatory process for these products.

Pesticidal Chemicals Classified as Known, Probable or Possible Human Carcinogens - This table lists the name, registration date, use pattern and regulatory status of approximately 165 pesticidal chemicals which have been classified as being known or suspected human carcinogens. An abbreviated version of this information appears in the June supplemental issue of the Environmental Health Perspectives article entitled, "Chemicals and Children's Environment: What We Don't Know About Risks."

Potential of Chemicals to Affect the Endocrine System - Endocrine disruptors 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.

Pesticides and Child Safety - With an estimated 74,000 children involved in common household pesticide-related poisonings or exposures in the United States in 1994, 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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Office of Pesticides Programs: Biennial Report for Fiscal Year 1998 and 1999

Office of Pesticides Programs: Biennial Report for Fiscal Year 1998 and 1999.(1.7 MB, PDF)
This report summarizes many of the activities carried out by the Program during 1998 and 1999.

Home and Garden

Home and Garden
Tips on how to control pests and to safely use pesticides in and around the home
Information Resources Information Resources
Additional sources for pesticide information include libraries, dockets and databases

Pesticide and Food: What You and Your Family Need to Know

"Pesticides and Food: What You and Your Family Need to Know"
A Web version of the brochure that discusses the risks and benefits of pesticide use on food, and ways in which consumers can reduce their exposure to pesticides.

Pesticides and the EPA

Pesticides and the EPA
The steps the EPA takes to protect the public and the environment from harmful pesticides

Pesticides and Your Health

Pesticides and Your Health
The effects some pesticides can have on your health, and how you can reduce their potential threat

Protecting Our Children

Protecting Our Children
Information on protecting children from pesticide poisoning
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