newcehnheader
[ home ] [ resource guide ] [ training manual ] [ get involved ] [ publications ] [ index ] [ about CEHN ]

 


What's New

Donate
 Donate Now

Links

 

 




Pesticides

See also: Carcinogens | Chemicals | Endocrine Disruptors |  Neurotoxicants |  Pesticide Usage | Toxicants |


Glossary Terms

Active ingredient
In any pesticide product, the component that kills, or otherwise controls, target pests. Pesticides are regulated primarily on the basis of active ingredients.(1)

Air pollutant
Any substance in air that could, in high enough concentration, harm man, other animals, vegetation, or material. Pollutants may include almost any natural or artificial composition of matter capable of being airborne. They may be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, gases, or in combination thereof. Generally, they fall into two main groups: (1) those emitted directly from identifiable sources and (2) those produced in the air by interaction between two or more primary pollutants, or by reaction with normal atmospheric constituents, with or without photoactivation.(1)

Fumigant
A pesticide vaporized to kill pests. Used in buildings and greenhouses.(1)

Fungicide
Pesticides which are used to control, deter, or destroy fungi.(1)

Inert ingredient
Pesticide components such as solvents, carriers, dispersants, and surfactants that are not active against target pests. Not all inert ingredients are innocuous.(1)

Insecticide
A pesticide compound specifically used to kill or prevent the growth of insects.(1)

Oral toxicity
Ability of a pesticide to cause injury when ingested.(1)

Pesticide
Substances or mixture thereof intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. Also, any substance or mixture intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.(1)

Pesticide tolerance
The amount of pesticide residue allowed by law to remain in or on a harvested crop. EPA seeks to set these levels well below the point where the compounds might be harmful to consumers.(5)

Registration
Formal listing with EPA of a new pesticide before it can be sold or distributed: under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. EPA is responsible for registration (pre-market licensing) of pesticides on the basis of data demonstrating no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment when applied according to approved label directions.(1)

Tolerances
Permissible residue levels for pesticides in raw agricultural produce and processed foods. Whenever a pesticide is registered for use on a food or a feed crop, a tolerance (or exemption from the tolerance requirement) must be established. EPA establishes the tolerance levels, which are enforced by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture.(1)



 Information Sources and Organizations
Looking for information on Pesticides? Click on the following summary databases to learn more!Looking for articles, reports, or scientific literature on Pesticides? Click on the following bibliographic databases to learn more!Looking for research on Pesticides? Click on the following research databases to learn more!Looking for Internet Sites that provide information on Pesticides? Click on the following pesticides to learn more!Looking for Organizations that are involved in the issue of Pesticides? Click on the following organizations to learn more!



Resource Guide Table of Contents