Ag Health Study Results Now Online

U.S. EPA has recently developed a new Web page that describes information that the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is providing to EPA about the possible health effects of crop protection product exposure on growers and their families. It also discusses how EPA is using this information to improve its understanding of the potential risks of crop protection products and to strengthen regulatory programs.

The AHS began in 1993 as a collaboration among federal agencies. Designed as a large, long-term, prospective epidemiological study, the AHS collects and analyzes data on the health and work practices of licensed pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina.

Advertisement

The study focuses particularly on the growers’ exposure to 50 chemicals, including many of the most widely used products. The study also collects information on other possible agricultural exposures and many lifestyle factors.

Top Articles
Best Agriculture Apps for 2024 (Update)

EPA intends to use the information from the AHS in its regulatory processes. As EPA scientists survey the overall AHS findings, they will consider the results of the studies in the course of regularly scheduled registration reviews and take appropriate regulatory action using the agency’s established public participation process. EPA’s Web page is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/ag-health.html.

(Source: Adopted slightly by Michelle Wiesbrook from a press release sent by Julia Storm, agromedicine information specialist, North Carolina State University on 4/13/09.)

0
Advertisement