We track and conduct investigations of health effects reported by people exposed to pesticides. These reports help us to identify trends in acute pesticide poisonings and emerging pesticide hazards and guide education and outreach efforts for prevention.
The Pesticide Exposure Safety & Tracking (PEST) program tracks acute pesticide poisoning incidents in Oregon, because suspected or known cases of human pesticide poisoning are a reportable condition in the state (OAR 333-017-0000 through 333-018-0015 and OAR 333-019-0000).
The PEST program also investigates human pesticide poisonings since it is a member agency of the
Pesticide Analytical Response Center (PARC). PARC is a coordinating body charged with collecting and analyzing information on reported pesticide incidents in Oregon. PARC is composed of eight state agencies that have some jurisdiction over pesticides and is co-chaired by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division.
