Pesticides on Farms: Limited Capability Exists to Monitor Occupational Illnesses and Injuries.
Abstract
In response to concerns regarding potential adverse health effects from the occupational use of pesticides on farms, your committee requested that we conduct a study to determine the extent to which government programs and regulations protect farmers and farmworkers from unnecessary pesticide risks. In particular, you asked that we examine what mechanisms exist at the federal and state levels to determine the nature and extent of illnesses associated with occupational exposure to pesticides on farms. Pesticides are designed to be toxic to some forms of life and often have the potential to cause adverse effects in a number of nontarget species, including humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for ensuring that, when properly used, a pesticide does not pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. To determine potential health effects and exposures, EPA conducts risk assessments of pesticide products, based largely on laboratory tests and field trials of pesticides. It is also important, however, to monitor for illnesses associated with the use of pesticides in order to identify potential problems, track trends over time, determine population groups at risk, evaluate the effectiveness of both risk assessment and risk reduction practices, and target interventions where necessary.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA296560
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office