Pesticide residues found on domestic and imported produce pose little, if any, risk to public health, particularly compared with the enormous public health benefits of pesticide use.

Pesticide residues rarely, if ever, approach unsafe levels. Even when activists cry wolf because residues exceed federal limits that does not mean the products are not safe. In fact, resi­dues can be hundreds of times above regulatory levels and still be safe. According to one National Research Council (NRC) report, “the great majority of individual natu­rally occurring and synthetic chemicals in the diet appear to be present at levels below which any significant adverse biological effect is likely, and so low that they are unlikely to pose any appre­ciable cancer risk.” The American Academy of Pediatrics notes: “The risks of pesticides in the diet are remote, long-term and theoretical, and there is no cause for immediate concern by parents. The risks to chil­dren over their lifetime of experiencing the major chronic diseases associated with the typical American diet far exceed the theoretical risks associated with pesticide residues.” Various government agencies test produce for residues to ensure they meet safety standards. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the state of California conduct the most comprehen­sive and regular testing. Both find that residue levels are not only far lower than any EPA standard, they are most often undetectable

Why do we need pesticides?

Pesticides play a key role in ensuring a stable and affordable supply of fruits and vegetables. Given that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables plays a critical role in reducing cancer and providing other health benefits, it is very important to keep these produce affordable. The use of modern agricultural technology and chemicals has reduced the cost of food, thereby improving nutrition, particularly for lower-income families. In fact, at the turn of the 20th century, before the use of modern agricultural practices, Americans spent 20 percent of their income on food. Now, the average American family spends approximately 10 percent of its disposable income on food.

Pesticides are also critically important in managing diseases that are carried by insects, rodents and other vermin. Pesticides have been used to control disease outbreaks of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), a mosquito-transmitted form of viral encephalitis, malaria, and dengue. Currently, they are used to manage a variety of risks, including the transmission of the West Nile virus.

Are there drawbacks to federal pesticide regulation?

For more than a decade, federal pesticide policies have placed in jeopardy the ability to address the greater risks associated with insects and other pests. Applying federal law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned numerous pesticides that are both safe and useful for farming, home pest control, and other public health purposes. However, regulation based incorrect understanding of the impact of these chemicals on public health is impeding the use and development of these products. The impacts of such impediments on public health are serious. For example, misinformation about the risks associated with the pesticide DDT has contributed to millions of deaths worldwide.