This is part of my continuing series on useful Internet links for safety professionals. Since it's springtime and many of us will be applying pesticides to keep our homes and plants pest-free, in this installment, I'll look at resources available on the web for pesticides.

1. A Definition of Pesticides from Wikipedia

Regardless of what you think of it, Wikipedia is a great reference site-as long as you understand its limitations and don't take every word at face value. Remember that the information is submitted by users. So, let's begin by checking Wikipedia's definition of pesticide.

A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used for preventing, controlling, or lessening the damage caused by a pest.

So what is a pest?

Pests include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms) and microbes that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread or are a vector for disease or cause a nuisance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticide)

When doing your searches, keep in mind that there are multiple ways to classify pesticides:

2. The EPA

Let us now look at the agency that controls pesticides in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has the catchy name of FIFRA, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1996. The pesticide home page at EPA has several links to various topics. There's even a link to a child's page that has games, posters and things to print and color.

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/index.htm

3. Pesticide Safety Directorate

In England, they keep a reference known as the Pesticide Safety Directorate. The website includes a page of links to various pesticide safety databases. Most of the databases deal with the registration and components of the particular pesticide. You can find them at http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/psd_databases.asp

4. Pesticide Training Programs

Before you or your employees use a pesticide, you should have training and an understanding of the hazards of the pesticide and how to label, store and use them. Here are three good resources:

Conclusion

By understanding the product, the hazards and reading the label and MSDS, pesticides can be used correctly, safely and only target the pest they're supposed to attack. Until next time, stay healthy and safe.

SEASONAL SAFETY

Handling Hay Fever

By Catherine Jones

Pesticide use is one sign of spring. Another sure sign that spring has arrived is seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

If you or your workers notice an increase in coughs, sneezes, congestion or itchiness of the nose, roof of mouth, throat, eyes and ears at this time of year, seasonal allergic rhinitis could be the culprit. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) offers these tips:

(Source: The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, www.aaaai.org.)

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