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Report a Pesticide Illness

How do I report a suspected case?

What happens when a case is reported?

Why should suspected pesticide illness cases be reported?

Who should I contact for questions?

Information for Health Care Providers

 How do I report a suspected case?

Report all cases of suspected or confirmed pesticide related illness to:  

  • Washington Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222, or

  • Washington State Department of Health, Pesticide Program: 1-877-485-7316 (M-F, 8-5)

Report hospitalizations and deaths immediately, and all other suspected pesticide-related cases within 3 days (RCW 70.104.055 and WAC 246-100).

 What happens when a case is reported?

DOH receives reports of possible pesticide-related illness from doctors' offices, the Washington State Poison Center, local health jurisdictions, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Claims Administration, and other sources.

We receive about 300 reports a year.   

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Investigators in Olympia and Yakima follow up on reports to find out:
  • what pesticide products were involved

  • how the person was exposed
  • what symptoms developed
  • how the illness could have been prevented

We may collect the information over the phone, or we may go out in the field to collect samples or interview the patient or witnesses. If medical care was sought, we work with the provider to document the symptoms.

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Every year, we publish the results of our investigations in a Report to the Legislature. We use the data collected from our case investigations to guide outreach strategies for the prevention of pesticide illness. Outreach includes:
  • education of the general public

  • community health fairs

  • safety talks in training courses for licensed pesticide applicators
  • in-service presentations at hospitals and clinics

 

Our staff have degrees and training in medicine, environmental health, and toxicology. Our staff bring to their work the collective experience of over 4000 pesticide case investigations. We serve as a resource to local health staff and health care providers. We field questions from the general public about the health effects of pesticides.

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  Why should suspected cases of pesticide poisoning be reported?

  • Reporting is required under Washington State law (Chapter WAC 246-100).

  • Reporting helps DOH identify problem pesticides, problem pesticide labels, and application methods that result in hazardous exposures. Regulatory agencies can use this information to correct problems. DOH can use this information to develop pesticide illness prevention programs.

  • Reporting ensures that pesticide-related illnesses are recorded, even among patients who are reluctant to complain to enforcement authorities. Because the role of DOH is to promote public health rather than enforce regulations, our investigators can collect important prevention information without the patient needing to make a formal complaint against an employer, or neighbor, or building manager.

 Who should I contact for questions?

Call us with your reports or questions: 1-877-485-7316 or 1-360- 236-3184.

DOH Pesticide Program Staff

Wayne Clifford Pesticide Program Manager (360) 236-3181
Cyndi Free Administrative Assistant (360) 236-3384
Barbara Morrissey, MS Toxicologist, Investigator (Western Washington) (360) 236-3368
Joanne Bonnar Prado, MPH Epidemiologist, Investigator (Western Washington) (360) 236-3172
Tito Rodriguez
(Se habla Espanol)
Speaks Spanish
 Investigator (Eastern Washington) (509) 575-2510
Jennifer Seivert
(Se habla Espanol)
Speaks Spanish
Investigator (Western Washington) (360) 236-3338

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Washington State Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Toxicology

PO Box 47825, Olympia, WA 98504-7825
Phone: 360-236-3385 or 360-236-3184
Toll Free: 1-888-586-9427 or 1-877-485-7316

 

Last Update: 08/19/2009 11:24 AM

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