2005 Year in Review

From the Fields

Source: Jim Morrison, Extension Educator, Crop Systems, Rockford Extension Center, University of Illinois, 417 Ware Avenue, Suite 102, Rockford, IL 61107, Phone 815/397-7714, Fax 815/397-8620, email: morrison@uiuc.edu

The Internet search engine Google indicates there are 8.5 million listings for the word “pesticides”. Like many subjects on the Internet, information on this topic ranges from very useful to hard to understand to questionable value.

Because questions on pesticides and their effects on human health and the environment are numerous, this column mentions several objective and easy-to-understand resources on the subject of pesticides.

EXTOXNET is written for the non-toxicologist and is a cooperative effort involving five land-grant universities. From the home page one can access Pesticides Information Profiles for specific information on health and environmental effects. The Frequently Asked Questions address exposure to pesticides and other toxicants in our environment. Topics include food safety issues, adverse health risks, diet and cancer, safe drinking water, and gardening and chemicals.

Purdue Pesticide Programs Purdue Pesticide Programs provides comprehensive yet easy to read pesticide information on a wide variety of topics for professionals and the general public.

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) is a toll-free telephone service providing objective, science-based information on a wide variety of pesticide-related subjects. One can call NPIC 7 days a week, excluding holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (CST) at 800-858-7378. The NPIC web site NPIC is a good resource for these topics as well.

University of Illinois provides a variety of pesticide information at their web site U of I Presticide Safety.

This column adapted from the July 2005 issue of Illinois Pesticide Review newsletter.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
August 29, 2005