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

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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 website.Exit

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.

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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.