Data and Reports Icon

EPHT – Agriculture

Topic Menu

Related Links

Community Data
Environmental Public Health Videos
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance
Lead Licensing
WIIN Grant
Hazardous Substances and Sites
Private Drinking Water
Choose Safe Places
Missouri Fish Advisory
Contact Information
Environmental Public Health Tracking Program

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Email
EPHTN@health.mo.gov
Phone
573-751-6102

Chemicals to help control pests (also called pesticides) are used on farms and in other agricultural settings, like forests, nurseries and greenhouses.  They are also used at home to help control weeds, insects, and rodents.  The Missouri Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program provides data on pesticide use in Missouri.

Health Effects of Pesticide Exposure

Most pesticide exposures happen when they are sprayed and breathed in. Pesticides can also be absorbed through the skin or swallowed. 

If you are exposed to enough pesticide at once: 

  • your eyes, nose, throat or skin may become irritated 

If you are exposed to pesticides for a long period of time, you may experience:

  • Changes in hormones
  • Reproductive and birth problems, like lower fertility, miscarriage or birth defects
  • Harm to central nervous system 
  • Cancer 

Health Tips

To keep your exposure to pesticides low, you can:

  • Wear protective clothing and follow instructions when applying pesticides
  • Use other ways to control pests at home, like:
    • Keeping bags of food tightly sealed
    • Cleaning kitchen often
    • Sealing cracks and crevices
    • Using pest traps instead of poison
  • Use natural or homemade pesticides  
  • Follow instructions on insect spray bottles
  • Limit your intake of pesticides on food by:
    • Washing fruits and vegetables well
    • Peeling fruits and vegetables
    • Trimming fat and skin from meat, poultry, and fish
    • Choosing organic if possible, especially fruits and vegetables that usually have high amounts of pesticides, like leafy greens, grapes, and strawberries
       

Announcements

Get the Facts | Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for steps to take in case of possible poisoning.

Announcements

Get the Facts | Missouri has nearly 90,000 farms, covering about two-thirds of the state's land. Missouri produces beef cattle, hogs, turkeys, soybeans, corn, grain sorghum, cotton, hay, and wheat.

1 of 2

Pesticide Data

The Missouri EPHT Program provides data on chemical applications on agricultural land in Missouri.

Other Data Sources

Other data sources provide additional data on pesticide use and exposure.

Additional Resources