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What to Do If You Are Exposed to Pesticides
Download this brochure for printing (pdf)
This brochure is also available in Spanish.
- Immediately:
- 1. Stop contact with the pesticide!
- 2. Wash off any residue and change clothes if pesticide is on your skin or clothes.
- If you are sick:
- 1. See your doctor or go to an urgent care facility
- You can also call the Oregon Poison Center for help at 1-800-222-1222
- 2. Have the label (or at least the full name) of the pesticide to help in diagnosis and treatment
Some pesticides are more harmful than others. Be sure you know what you were exposed to, for how long, and where it came from.
Pesticide can enter the body through:
- contact with skin
- swallowing
- breathing
Pesticide: any agent used to kill pests
- Insecticide: for insects
- Herbicides: for weeds/plants
- Rodenticide: for rats & mice
- Chemicals: to control moss, mold and fungus
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What can PARC do for you?
PARC is the State of Oregon's center pesticide incident response. Information is confidential.
- Investigate
If there was a pesticide spill or misuse,, PARC will coordinate the investigation by up to 8 state agencies. PARC will not release your name without permission. If a referral is requested, appropriate agencies will be contacted. Each agency has it's own expertise and responsibilities: for example, the Department of Agriculture licenses commercial pest control operators and has access to application records.
- Consult with your doctor
PARC has a toxicologist and other experts to help you and your doctor. Most doctors aren't familiar with pesticide poisoning; we give information about testing and treatment to match the exposure.
- Provide clean-up and intervention information
PARC can give advice on cleaning up pesticide contamination to help limit possible exposure. Also, PARC can suggest ways to prevent future problems such as safer pesticide handling or product choice.
- Make policy recommendations
PARC keeps track of problems with pesticides to identify any pattern. When one is found, PARC may make a recommendation to a state agency or a private group.
Resources
To report a pesticide exposure:
Call PARC at (503) 731-4025
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
For questions about applicator licensing or product registration:
Oregon Department of Agriculture at (503) 986-4635
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
For general pesticide information:
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at 1-800-858-7378
(7 days a week, 6:30 am - 4:30 pm)
For emergency help:
Call your doctor or Oregon Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
(In Portland 503-494-8968)
Also available from PARC:
PARC Member Agencies Department of Agriculture
Health Services (DHS)
Department of Environmental Quality
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Department of Forestry
Occupational Safety and Health Services (DCBS)
Oregon Poison Center
State Fire Marshal's Office (SDP)
Call the Oregon Health Divison at (503) 731-4025 for copies of this brochure. This brochure is available in alternate format.
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