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  2. Pesticide Science and Assessing Pesticide Risks

Toxicity Tests for Human Health Assessments for Pesticides

We evaluate studies for potential health effects in infants, children and adults.

Acute Testing: Short-term exposure; a single exposure (dose).

  • Oral, dermal (skin), and inhalation exposure
  • Eye irritation
  • Skin irritation
  • Skin sensitization
  • Neurotoxicity

Sub-chronic Testing: Intermediate exposure; repeated exposure over a longer period of time (i.e., 30-90 days).

  • Oral, dermal (skin), and inhalation
  • Neurotoxicity (nerve system damage)

Chronic Toxicity Testing: Long-term exposure; repeated exposure lasting for most of the test animal's life span. We determine the effects of a pesticide after prolonged and repeated exposures.

  • Chronic effects (non-cancer)
  • Carcinogenicity (cancer) 

Developmental and Reproductive Testing: Identify effects in the fetus of an exposed pregnant female (birth defects) and how pesticide exposure affects the ability of a test animal to successfully reproduce.

Mutagenicity Testing: Assess a pesticide's potential to affect the cell's genetic components.

Learn more about toxicity testing and ways we are working to improve toxicity testing and reduce use of animals in testing.

Pesticide Science and Assessing Pesticide Risks

  • Risk Assessment Decisions
  • Environmental Risk Assessment
  • Human Health Risk Assessment
Contact Us About Pesticide Science and Assessing Pesticide Risks
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on June 11, 2024
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