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• Guidelines for Physicians - Medical Supervision (cholinesterase monitoring) of Agricultural Pesticide Applicators
• Pesticide Illness Surveillance / Pesticide Illness Reporting
• Programs
• Reports/Risk Assessments
• On-Line Training Modules:
  • Recognition, Management, and Reporting of Pesticide Illness
  • Medical Supervision Program
• Urban Pest Eradication

 

Pesticides

The Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Branch (PETB) is composed of four sections. The Pesticide and Food Toxicology Section carries out risk assessment and hazard evaluation activities related to pesticides and other chemical contaminants in food and consumer products. These include evaluating chemical contamination of raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, and environmental media in cases of accidental release. Staff within the program perform activities required by legislation to review risk characterizations prepared by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and to evaluate pesticide toxicity data in support of pesticide use and regulation in California.

The activities of the Pesticide Epidemiology Section involve the following legislatively mandated programs: pesticide illness surveillance, epidemiological and other assistance to local health officers in the event of an outbreak of pesticide poisoning, and joint and mutual responsibility with the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to develop regulations to protect workers exposed to agriculture pesticides. OEHHA has a mandated membership on the Pesticide Registration Evaluation Committee and is represented on the Worker Safety Regulation Workgroup of DPR. The Unit also provides education and training on the recognition, management, and reporting of pesticide poisoning to health professionals and others, and provides guidelines for medical supervision and cholinesterase monitoring of agricultural pest control workers. Risk communication activities carried out by the Unit include education for the public and for county health departments on pesticide related health issues.

The Water Toxicology Section performs major risk assessment and hazard evaluation activities relating to chemical contaminants in drinking water. These activities include developing health advisories, action levels, and public health goals for chemical substances in drinking water, and providing toxicological assistance for chemical monitoring activities for the drinking water supply. The program also provides education to the public and other governmental agencies on drinking water contamination and drinking water regulatory standards development.

The Fish and Water Quality Evaluation Section evaluates chemical contaminants in fish and wildlife and develops fish consumption health advisories. Fish consumption advisories are published in the California Sport Fish Regulations and are part of a public communications program intended to help protect citizens, including sensitive subpopulations, against toxic chemicals. The program also directs studies of chemical contamination in marine fish and shellfish, develops fish sampling designs, and collaborates with other agencies in the mandated Coastal Fish Contamination Program.