Pesticide Resources and Services for Health Care Professionals
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Source:CDC |
The health effects from pesticide exposures may go unrecognized because the symptoms are subtle or attributed to other factors, and/or the failure to take a proper exposure history. Consulting with a toxicologist or specialist in environmental health may provide useful information to assess pesticide exposures, and ultimately, to properly diagnose, treat, and prevent pesticide-related illnesses.
The Minnesota Department of Health prepared the following list of resources for health care professionals to serve as a gateway to pesticide health-related information. For additional information or questions:
On this page:
Consultation and Referral Services
Patient Assessment
Toxicology (and other chemical/product information)
Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development
Consultation and Referral Services
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Health
Health Risk Assessment Unit:
- Provides consultation services regarding pesticide exposures and toxicity (evaluate the potential for exposure; consistency of symptoms and toxicity/effects associated with active ingredients)
- Assists in identifying physician specialists to whom patients can be referred to for additional evaluation
Minnesota Poison Control System
Hennepin County Medical Center:
- Provides telephone triage services and medical consultation regarding pesticide exposures 24/7
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Pesticides:
- Provides information regarding pesticide laws, products and appropriate use
- Collects and investigates information about reported pesticide incidents
Regional/National
Great Lakes Center for Children's Environmental Health
- Provides clinical evaluation and consultation services for children regarding environmental exposures to chemicals, including pesticides
- Serves as an information resource for health care professionals and the general public on children's environmental health issues
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Patient Assessment
Proper assessment of any pesticide exposure is essential during the diagnostic phase of patient evaluation and follow-up. Below are resources to assist in taking a comprehensive exposure history. Also, see information about laboratory reference ranges for many common pesticides, and guidance on cholinesterase testing and monitoring.
Taking an Exposure History- Environmental and Occupational History (PDF: 355KB/16 pages), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Developing a Pesticide Exposure History (PDF: 128KB/10 pages), University of Maryland
- National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Assessment of the U.S. population's exposures to environmental chemicals, including pesticides
- Cholinesterase Monitoring - a Guide for the Health Care Professional (PDF: 344KB/7 pages), University of Maryland
- Guidelines for Physicians Who Supervise Workers Exposed to Cholinesterase - Inhibiting Pesticides (PDF: 542KB/86 pages), California Environmental Protection Agency: Comprehensive guide on how to establish, maintain and supervise a cholinesterase monitoring program for workers
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Toxicology (and other chemical/product information)
Below are links to information about pesticide toxicology and other chemical/product information. Active ingredients for pesticides may be identified on the product label or by contacting the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at (651) 201-6055.
References, Textbooks and Guidelines- Toxicology and Active Ingredient Fact Sheets, National Pesticide Information Center
- Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Medical Management
Guidelines, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, US Department of Health and Human Services
- Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 8th edition, 2006 (ISBN#: 0071437630)
- Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 4th edition, 2007 (ISBN#: 0721606938)
- Poisoning & Drug Overdose, Kent R. Olsen, Editor, 5th edition, 2007 (ISBN#: 0071443339)
- Insecticides: Chemistries and Characteristics, University of Minnesota
- Pesticide Registration Facts, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Inert or "Other" Ingredients (PDF: 180KB/3 pages), National Pesticide Information Center
Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development
- Medical Cases and Topics for Health Care Providers, National Pesticide Information Center
- Case Studies in Environmental Medicine, U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- Selected Case Studies from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Strategies for Health Care Providers: Pesticides Initiative, The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation
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