Pesticides and Human Health

Certified organic agricultural operations do not use most synthetic pesticides used in non-organic agriculture. This page provides information and further resources related to pesticide use, exposure, and organic production.

Magazine Articles
Scientific Journal References
Pesticide-Specific Internet Resources
General Organic Links

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The following articles appeared in our Magazine

Pesticide Drift Continues Unabated in California - Pesticides do not stay where they are applied. Spray droplets are blown downwind during applications, chemicals evaporate off of leaf and soil surfaces and drift away in the breeze, and even pesticide-coated soil particles create toxic dust clouds. Read more...
You've Been Sprayed - What Can You Do? - Pesticide exposure incidents are often frightening situations. The process of gathering information, reporting the incident, and changing the situation may not be easy. Read more...

The following sites provide further information on pesticides. Also, visit our Organic Links page for further resources.

State and Federal Resources

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health agency that advises EPA on the health aspects of hazardous waste sites or spills. Also provides some general information on toxic exposures.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation - Agency regulating pesticides sales and use in California.
Environmental Protection Agency - The Federal agency responsible for approving pesticides for safety. Provides general information on pesticides currently approved for agricultural use.
ToxNet - A cluster of databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and related areas.
USDA National Organic Program - General information on certified organic products. Lists compounds approved for use in organic production.

Non-Profit and Educational Resources

Beyond Pesticides - Resources and information on alternatives to pesticides.
Bio-Integral Resource Center - Promotes non- and least-toxic integrated pest management alternatives to pesticides.
Californians for Pesticide Reform - Coalition of public interest groups focused on pesticide use in California.
Consumers Union - Provides information on pesticides and food safety.
The Extension Toxicology Network - A searchable database of pesticide information written for the non-expert.
Food News - Comparisons of pesticide levels on organic and non-organic produce and listings of foods likely to contain high and low levels of pesticides from the Environmental Working Group.
Material Safety Data Sheets - Manufacturer information on content, use and toxicity of compounds used in agricultural and industrial settings. Two searchable databases of MSDS are available from Cornell University and Vermont Safety Information Resources, Inc..
Natural Resources Defense Council - Works to to "protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things."
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides - Organization providing information on and promoting alternatives to pesticides.
Organic AgInfo - A searchable database of information on organic production, including specific crops and pesticides.
Pesticide Database - Pesticide toxicity and regulatory information from Pesticide Action Network.