Pesticides are chemicals developed to kill pests which include insects, weeds, fungi or rodents. Pesticides are widely used on agricultural crops, in the home, for mosquito control, in yards, and in public places.

The types of pesticides commonly used are also called insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides.

Some of the benefits of pesticides are increased crop production, preserving produce, combating insect infestations and controlling exotic species.

Pesticides are designed to be harmful to pests. When not used properly, pesticides can cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment.

The severity of pesticide poisoning depends on the toxicity of the chemical ingredients, the amount of the pesticide, the length of time of the pesticide exposure, and how the pesticide enters the body. Reading the label and following the directions can prevent most pesticide-related illnesses.

Florida Poison Control Centers

Pesticide poisoning

800-222-1222
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, poison specialists on staff are uniquely trained to assess, triage and manage poison information and exposure calls. An estimated 70% of poisonings can be safely treated at home over the phone with the help of a poison control specialist.

Sensitivity to Pesticides

Some people can be more sensitive to pesticide exposure. The responses of people can be very different depending on their basic health condition, age and individual characteristics. Children, elderly and people with health conditions may be more adversely affected.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains a registry for pesticide sensitive individuals, which list people who have been identified as sensitive to pesticides by their physician. The registry may be contacted at 850-617-7997. Individuals on the registry are notified before a licensed pest control operator sprays pesticides for lawn care in an area adjacent to their residence.

Pesticide Exposure

Exposures occur when you come into contact with a pesticide and it enters the body through ingestion, inhalation, or contact with the skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

A potential risk of pesticide poisoning may be present if pesticides are nearby but they must contact your body to harm you. If a pesticide is in the air, it can be inhaled and may pass into the bloodstream. If it is in food or water, or if it is accidentally swallowed, it can enter through the stomach. Certain pesticides may pass through the skin and into the bloodstream. Some pesticides may also enter through other routes such as the skin, eyes, nose and throat and cause effects in these areas.

Examples of Pesticide Exposure

Drift or Over spray
Pesticide sprayed from an airplane, tractor or a home sprayer may drift or blow onto people living, working or going to school near agricultural fields or other nearby sites.

  • If this exposure is due to an agricultural aerial application or is a misuse of a pesticide according to the label, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) can be notified by calling 850-488-3314.
  • If it is aerial control of mosquitoes, call 850-922-7011.

Occupational
Farm workers, applicators, or mixers may come into contact with high concentrations and large volumes of pesticides. Risky activities include mixing, applying pesticides, weeding, and hand harvesting crops. Workers may unknowingly expose their families by carrying pesticides into their homes on their bodies, clothes, and shoes, or by washing their work clothes together with the rest of the family laundry.

  • Exposures of farm workers to pesticides are investigated by DACS by calling 850-488-3314.

Household
Improper use, storage, and application of household pesticides such as insect repellents, foggers and baits, rodent poisons, weed killers, flea and tick control products and disinfectants can lead to poisonings when not used properly.

Exposure Reporting and Treatment

If it is not an emergency situation, your health care provider may be able to determine if your symptoms are related to pesticides by asking questions, conducting a physical exam, or doing a blood test.

Report Harmful Pesticide Exposure

You and your health care provider should then report any harmful pesticide exposure, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to:

  • Pesticide Surveillance: 850-245-4444, ext. 4576
  • Pesticide Hotline: 800-606-5810

Section 381.0031, Florida Statutes, requires physicians, hospitals, and laboratories to report pesticide poisoning cases to the Florida Department of Health.

Florida Poison Control Centers

Poison Control Center

800-222-1222
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, poison specialists on staff are uniquely trained to assess, triage and manage poison information and exposure calls. An estimated 70% of poisonings can be safely treated at home over the phone with the help of a poison control specialist.

This program documents and monitors pesticide exposures in the state to identify trends in pesticide exposures and prevent additional exposures where possible.

1. First Aid Treatment

  • Poison on Skin or Clothing – Remove clothes immediately and wash skin with running water for 15 minutes.
  • Poison in Eyes – Rinse eyes with water for 15 minutes.
  • Inhaled Poison – Leave area and seek fresh air.
  • Swallowed Poison – Read label to determine if there is something you should do right away.

2. Call Florida Poison Control

Call 800-222-1222, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, poison specialists on staff are uniquely trained to assess, triage and manage poison information and exposure calls.

3. Seek Medical Help

Based on the severity of your symptoms, seek treatment from a hospital emergency department or health care provider. Bring With You labels of all pesticides to which you may have been exposed, and records indicating what was sprayed from the person or company that sprayed.

Reporting a Pesticide Incident
Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management can be a safer and usually less costly alternative for effective control of pests, using common sense pest control practices and limiting the use of chemical pesticides to only when it is necessary or appropriate.

Resources and Reports