| About Us | |
| Mission Statement | |
| Promote "... safety and health for all people through research and prevention." | |
| Organization | |
| Annual Performance Measures Who We Are: Oregon's Pesticide Exposure Safety & Tracking (PEST) program seeks to reduce acute pesticide-related illness/injury in Oregon by conducting surveillance of acute pesticide exposure incidences, and by educating the public on using and storing pesticides safely. Oregon and other states, including Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Washington State, also share data with NIOSH and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify problems that might not be detected at the state level. Who is at Risk: Anybody who uses or stores pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, insect repellents, etc.) incorrectly can cause acute pesticide poisoning to themselves or others. Agricultural workers and others who have more frequent, direct contact with pesticides are at highest risk of acute pesticide poisoning. Read the May 11, 1999 CD Summary article: Health Issues Among Migrant/Seasonal Farm Workers (pdf). Read more about exposure to pesticides in the May 12, 1998 CD Summary article: Toxic Pesticide Exposures (pdf). What We Can Do: Investigate: Our staff investigates reports of acute illness or injury related to recent pesticide exposures. We may give advice on decontamination and how to prevent future exposure to the affected person. All personal information is confidential, so we will not contact an employer or release a name to another agency without permission from the individual. Consult with Health Care Providers: Few doctors or other health care providers are familiar with all of the possible health effects of the wide range of pesticides used in Oregon. We have access to a medical toxicologist and other experts to provide prompt information about diagnostic testing and treatment. Identify and Pursue Prevention Opportunities: We collect information about suspected pesticide poisonings in order to identify patterns or trends of problems with a specific pesticide or work practice. When one is found, we work with Pesticide Analytical and Response Center (PARC), who coordinates the investigation of all incidents with other state agencies and organizations. How to Report: For emergency help, call a health care provide or contact Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. To report a pesticide exposure in Oregon, call Oregon Public Health Division, Pesticide Exposure Safety & Tracking (PEST) program at (971) 673-0977. | |
