Acute pesticide-related illnesses are from short-term exposure events. These illnesses could be caused by a single, repeated, or continuous exposure to one or more pesticides over less than 8 hours. Signs and symptoms typically begin shortly after exposure. This is different from chronic pesticide-related illnesses (e.g. cancers, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders) in which signs and symptoms may develop months, or even years after exposure.
Pesticides are any substances used to prevent, destroy, or repel animals, plants, and microorganisms, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, and rodenticides. Pesticides are most often used in agriculture to protect crops, but are also used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, where they may be used as cleaning and sterilizing agents.
Why is acute pesticide exposure data important?
Pesticide-related illness impacts people of all ages. The Washington State Department of Health actively tracks and investigates pesticide-related human illnesses. The data in this dashboard provide key information regarding trends in acute pesticide illnesses, including the severity, geography, differences in numbers of illnesses by demographics.
This information can help people better understand the risks associated with pesticides in their communities. It can inform decision-making to reduce risk of pesticide-related illness, such as using personal protective equipment, using less hazardous pesticides, or regulating pesticide products.
What’s Here
The data in this dashboard show pesticide illness by route of exposure, type of exposure, symptoms and severity, demographics, personal protective equipment use, occupational and agricultural status, label use, functional classes and pesticide classes, method of application, and target crops. The data are available for 2010-2021 at state and Accountable Community of Health (ACH) geographic levels.
View the Data
Learn More
Pesticides | Washington State Department of Health
Acute Pesticide Illness Dashboard Data Notes (PDF)
Additional Resources
Pesticide Event Summaries | Washington State Department of Health
Pesticide Illness Reporting | Washington State Department of Health
Pesticides | Washington State Department of Health
Reducing Pesticide Drift | US EPA
Pesticide-related Illness and Injury Surveillance: A How-to Guide for State-based Programs (cdc.gov)
Contact Us
For information or questions related to the Washington Tracking Network, email DOH.WTN@doh.wa.gov.
How have you used our data?
We love hearing about how our data is being used to make an impact on the health of Washingtonians. It also helps us to know what is meeting our users’ needs and how we can improve the information we provide. If you used our data, please tell us about it by sending an email to DOH.WTN@doh.wa.gov.
Would you like to receive updates?
Receive updates and information about WTN by joining our email newsletter.
