House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Pesticides are widely used to control pests such as insects, rodents, weeds, mold, fungi and bacteria. While their intended role is to protect us and our food from pests, legitimate concern has been growing that exposure to pesticide chemicals can be linked to certain acute and chronic health problems. Eighty percent of registered pesticide products are used in agriculture, meaning that just about every person is exposed to them.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 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. However, Pennsylvania is one of 23 states and jurisdictions that do not require reporting of suspected pesticide poisoning by healthcare professionals.

In response to the Health Surveillance Plan recommendations, my resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on pesticide exposure and poisoning, testing and reporting and issue a report of its findings and recommendations for the protection of public health. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925.