WHEREAS, Every organ system in the body is susceptible to
pesticide toxicity, with recent studies showing that not only
workers, but pregnant women and their developing babies and
children are particularly vulnerable; and
WHEREAS, Underreporting and gaps in oversight data are
recognized problems with respect to occupational illness among
agricultural workers; and
WHEREAS, The acute work-related pesticide poisoning incidence
rate ranges as high as 1,400 cases per 100,000 agricultural
workers per year; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health's Strategic Surveillance Plan recommends that every state
conduct surveillance for acute pesticide-related illness and
injury to identify pesticide problems, estimate the magnitude of
pesticide poisoning and evaluate intervention and prevention
efforts; and
WHEREAS, Thirty states, including Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey
and New York, require health professionals to report suspected
pesticide poisoning; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is one of 23 states and jurisdictions
that do not require reporting of suspected pesticide poisoning
by health professionals; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on pesticide
exposure and poisoning, testing and reporting and to issue a
report to the General Assembly; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission seek
input and information, as appropriate, from the following:
(1) The Department of Health.
(2) The Department of Labor and Industry.
20190HR0133PN0796 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30