335024
Residential pesticide incidents reported to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), 2006-2014: Public health implications of misuse and over-application
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
: 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
Michelle Colledge, MPH, PhD,
Division of Community Health Investigations, Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Chicago, IL
Amy Mysz, MA,
Land and Chemicals Division/Chemicals Management Branch/Pesticides Section, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, IL
Kaci Buhl, MS,
Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, National Pesticide Information Center/Oregon State University
Dave Stone, PhD,
Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
The incidence of pesticide misuse has increased over the past decade, with many incidents occur in homes as a result of the over-application or off-label use of approved indoor pesticides as well as the misapplication of banned or outdoor-use pesticides. This presentation describes an emerging national concern regarding misuse of pesticides to treat infestations of bed bugs and other insects indoors through an analysis of inquiries received by National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). NPIC’s call center database was queried to identify residential, indoor pesticide incidents involving bed bugs, potential pesticide misuse, and/or pesticide cleanup procedures. Cases were characterized further using a custom set of parameters to summarize the records and identify key challenges. More than 1100 records were evaluated between 2006-2014 that provide insight into who applied the pesticide(s), the types of misuse reported, the pests being treated, the signs and symptoms described by residents from the application(s) and the public health implications of misuse or overuse of pesticides. Specific case studies will be discussed to highlight the need to manage pests properly and to educate the public about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and pesticide safety.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Environmental health sciences
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Explain the emerging public health problem of pesticide misuse in treating bed bugs and other pests.
Differentiate the various types of pesticide misuse in residential settings.
Describe the types of pesticides being misused, the circumstances surrounding misuse, and the financial, and health consequences of misuse.
Identify the highest risk population for exposure to misused pesticides.
Keyword(s): Environmental Health, Chemical Exposures & Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been collaborating with USEPA and NPIC on evaluating data trends in pesticides misuse since 2011. I authored a Health Advisory for CDC on pesticide misuse that was sent to tens of thousands of health care providers across the country. I have been an environmental health scientist at CDC for 16 years, where I have been involved in a number of pesticide misuse incidents.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
