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Oregon Health Authority

Pesticide Exposure

Suddenly Been Exposed to a Pesticide Release?

Get help and report the incident

The Pesticide Exposure, Safety and Tracking (PEST) Program tracks and investigates health effects reported by people exposed to pesticides. This helps us to identify trends in acute (i.e. sudden) pesticide poisonings and emerging pesticide hazards to guide education efforts for prevention, and to inform policymakers. For information about the current number of confirmed cases in Oregon, see the Monthly Report Dashboard data page, and select pesticide poisoning for disease. This regular publication includes pesticide poisoning cases along with reportable diseases that are communicable.

Learn more about the links between pesticides and public health from the National Pesticide Information Center.

Clinician Reporting Required

Suspected or confirmed pesticide poisoning is a reportable condition* for healthcare providers and laboratories within 24 hours by either phone or fax.

  • By fax (preferred): Fax all medical records related to suspected/confirmed diagnoses of pesticide poisonings to the Public Health Division PEST Program at 971-673-0979 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week).

*See Oregon Administrative Rules (OARS) for Disease Reporting OAR 333-018 and PEST's page for Healthcare Providers.

Education and Outreach

Bed bugs are back: Were they ever gone?

Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease but they are a frustrating pest to deal with. It is hard but not impossible to get rid of bed bugs safely.

Learn more about them and the different strategies available to treat or prevent them in the links below.

Bug Bombs Can Be Dangerous

Bug bombs, otherwise known as foggers, are cans of pesticides that spray out all at once. They are commonly used to kill fleas. Foggers can be a serious health, safety and fire hazard if too many are used or the directions aren't followed. They work as a broadcast spray leaving behind a residue on the surfaces the spray contacts. Understanding more about how foggers work is important. To be sure they are the most appropriate method for your pest situation learn more in the links below.

Removing Moss From Your Roof

In many parts of Oregon roof moss is commonplace. Every year health care providers contact Oregon Public Health to report symptoms of patients who use moss control pesticides. Moss control pesticides can wash off of the roof into areas where people, pets and wildlife might come into contact with them. Before you decide how you will remove moss from your roof check the information in the links below.

Dealing with Pests

Contact a local master gardener through the OSU Extension Service or speak to an expert at the National Pesticide Information Center to learn more about specific pests and how to manage or prevent them. The most effective and least toxic approach for controlling or preventing pests is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Learn more in the links below.

Pesticide News from EPA

Reports

Coos Bay Children’s Academy Pesticide Exposure Investigation: October 2017

This report discusses a pesticide exposure incident that occurred in May 2017 at a day care center in Coos Bay.

Cases of Acute Pesticide Poisoning Reported to the Oregon Health Authority: 2009-2011

Released in August 2014, this report discusses 178 "confirmed" cases out of 256 cases reported from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011.

Descriptive Analysis of Acute PEST Cases: 2002 - 2007

Released in February 2010, this report discusses 689 "likely" cases out of 1038 cases reported from 2002 to 2007.

A related article was published in the CD Summary newsletter: Acute Pesticide Poisoning in Oregon: An Incomplete View?

Descriptive Analysis of Acute Pesticide Illness and Injury Cases in Oregon 2011-2020

Released in October 2023, the report highlights 992 "confirmed" acute pesticide poisoning cases out of 1,439 reported cases from 2011 to 2020.