Pesticides

Definition

Pesticides are pest-killing substances that help protect plants against molds, fungi, rodents, noxious weeds, and insects.

Pesticides help prevent crop loss and, potentially, human disease.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there are currently more than 865 registered pesticides.

Human-made pesticides are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture. This agency determines how pesticides are applied during farming and how much pesticide residue can remain in foods sold in stores.

Exposure to pesticides can happen in the workplace, through foods that are eaten, and in the home or garden.

Alternative Names

Pesticides and food

Side Effects

For those not exposed to pesticides at work, the risks of exposure from eating nonorganic foods or using pesticides around the home and garden is not clear. To date, research has not been able to prove or disprove claims that organic food is safer than food grown using pesticides.

FOOD AND PESTICIDES

To help protect yourself and your family from pesticides on nonorganic fruits and vegetables, discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables and then rinse the vegetables well with tap water. Peel hard-skinned produce, or rinse it with lots of warm water mixed with salt and lemon juice or vinegar.

Organic growers do not use pesticides on their fruits and vegetables.

HOME SAFETY AND PESTICIDES

When using pesticides at home:

When using pesticides indoors:

When using pesticides outdoors:

To reduce the need for pesticides to eliminate rodents, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, or cockroaches in and around your home:

People who handle or are otherwise exposed to pesticides at work should carefully clean any residue from their skin and remove their clothes and shoes before entering the home or having contact with family members.

DO NOT buy illegal pesticides.

References

Donley N. The USA lags behind other agricultural nations in banning harmful pesticides. Environ Health. 2019;18(1):44. PMID: 31170989 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31170989/.

Stevens CW. Toxicology principles and the treatment of poisoning. In: Stevens CW, ed. Brenner and Stevens' Pharmacology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 5.

Welker KL, Thompson TM. Pesticides. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 152.

Zoeller R, Heindel JJ. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and human disease. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 137.



Review Date: 4/1/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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