NYPIRG: Pesticides

NYPIRG has been a leader in efforts to reduce pesticide use and expand the public’s right-to-know in New York.

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There are thousands of pesticides in use today, many of which contain chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Even when applied according to label directions, many pesticides can cause serious health problems, particularly in children. Studies have linked pesticides to childhood cancers, learning disabilities, asthma, and other diseases.

Despite the growing awareness of pesticide hazards and the ready availability of safer pest control alternatives, pesticides are pervasive in our environment. Pesticides can be found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the surfaces kids play on.

We can reduce our risk by eating organic food, using nontoxic alternatives to pesticides, avoiding exposure to pesticides when they are applied, and promoting policies to reduce pesticide use in our communities.

Through New York’s landmark Pesticide Reporting Law, we now know that tremendous quantities of pesticides are used routinely in New York State, in both rural, urban and suburban areas. NYPIRG has helped produce a series of reports analyzing pesticide use patterns in New York.

With the passage of the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law in 2000, advance notice of pesticide use in New York’s schools and day care centers must now be provided to parents and teachers. Counties can also adopt local laws requiring commercial pesticide applicators to notify neighbors before spraying pesticides on trees and lawns. NYPIRG has worked with counties across the state to “opt in” to this new law.

NYPIRG also works at the local level to encourage local governments to phase out their use of pesticides on public property. We are currently focusing our efforts in New York City, which reports the highest pesticide use in the state.

There are many resources citizens can turn to for more information about the health hazards of pesticides and how to control pests safely and effectively. For more information about NYPIRG’s Pesticide Project, contact us at: pesticides@nypirg.org.