How does EPA determine what the effects of pesticides on humans are and whether they are acceptable?
A major consideration in approving pesticides for use is whether they pose an unreasonable risk to humans. EPA assesses risks associated with individual pesticide active ingredients, as well as with groups of pesticides that have a common toxic effect. This latter assessment is called cumulative risk assessment and is designed to evaluate the risk associated with exposure at one time to multiple pesticides that act the same way in the body. Part of EPA’s assessment of health risks of pesticides is a determination that there is “reasonable certainty of no harm” posed by pesticide residues allowed to remain on food. Before approving a pesticide, EPA sets limits on how the pesticide may be used, how often it may be used, what protective clothing or equipment must be used, and so on. These limits are designed to protect public health and the environment.
