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Philadelphia School & Community IPM Partnership
For More Info Contact:
Cathy Nardozzo
314 Ag Administration Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-0604
E-mail: cfn2@psu.edu
Parents & General Public
Many organisms can potentially cause diseases and discomfort of humans and their pets. Fleas, ticks, flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes are all problematic from a health standpoint and should be managed in some way. This section of the website deals with IPM approaches to managing these public health pests, and may include both chemical and non-chemical tactics. When using chemical tactics, be aware that pesticides themselves are toxic in various ways and can have negative health effects, even when used according to directions. If a pesticide must be used, it should be carefully chosen from available, legal products and properly used to avoid additional health problems.
For Parents
Parents must be especially protective of children who are both more susceptible to diseases and potential negative effects of pesticides. Because childrens' bodies are still developing, they are more sensitive to toxins of all kinds. Also, they are smaller, so a lower dose can still affect them disproportionately. See the Children's Environmental Health Coalition for more on children's vulnerability and how to reduce health risks.
For more detailed information on certain pests and their control, see our Public Health Pest Problem Solver. See our Pesticide Alternatives page for least toxic solutions to your pest problems. Also, our Community IPM Program deals with the public health issues of pests and pest control in urban communities.
Safe Use of Pesticides
Safe Use of Pesticides Around the Home - Penn State Pesticide Education fact sheet
Using Insect and Tick Repellents Safely - Fact sheet from Penn State Pesticide Education
What you need to know about... - Fact sheet series from Penn State Pesticide Education Program
Reading a Pesticide Label
Disposing of a Pesticide
Storing a Pesticide
Protecting Yourself When Using Pesticides
Choosing a Qualified Pest Management or Lawn Care Company
Pesticide Toxicity Information
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Pesticide Database - Current toxicity and regulatory information on pesticides including whether the chemical is a carcinogen, reproductive, or developmental toxicant, or causes other health hazards; and which chemicals pollute ground water or kill aquatic life. Also a pesticide alternatives database!
National Pesticide Information Center - (800)-858-7378 toll-free phone service provides information about pesticide active ingredients, pesticide products, toxicology, and more, from EPA & Oregon State Univ.
Household Products Database - Look up common names of cleaners from National Institutes of Health
Health Risks of Pesticides
Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in New York State (BCERF, at Cornell Univ.) - Fact sheets, conferences and workshops, links.
•Environmental Chemicals and Breast Cancer Risk: Why is there concern? - Bibliography listing papers on this topic
Californians for Pesticide Reform - Coalition of over 170 public interest groups dedicated to protecting human health and the environment from the dangers of pesticide use. Publications section has pesticide reports; their Healthy Schools Campaign promotes reduction of pesticide use on school grounds.
Children's Health Environmental Coalition - Non-profit organization offering information and resources on environmental health risks to children from exposure to toxic substances in the home & school
Children's Environmental Health - Includes topics of pesticides, chemical exposure, and model pesticide notices, from Minnesota Dept. of Health.
Early Life Environmental Risk Factors for Asthma: Findings from the Children's Health Study - Article from Environmental Health Perspectives by the Journal of the Natnl Institute for Environmental Health Sciences.
Environmental Working Group - Non-profit that does research to expose threats to human health and the environment. Link is to their reports on the topic of pesticides.
Our Stolen Future - Web site on endocrine disruption caused by chemicals
Pest Management at the Crossroads (PMAC) - Contains a section on pesticides and human health. Site sponsored by Benbrook Consulting Services.
Pesticide Information Leaflet Series - Series of 29 downloadable leaflets (PDF format) including pesticide safe use checklist, pesticides associated with skin diseases, multiple chemical sensitivity, pesticides & cancer, pesticides & the endocrine system, from U. of Maryland.
Tests Find Pesticides in Rural Wells - In rural Dakota County, tests have found trace elements of a surprisingly high number of pesticides in private wells, prompting calls from environmental officials for individual well owners to install home treatment systems.
More Resources:
PA West Nile Virus Program
PSU Lyme Disease Website
Fact Sheets:
Ticks
Cockroach control guide for asthma sufferers
Controlling asthma triggers in the home