Database provides pesticide information

By Julie Douglas
Ag Communications
Monday, April 10, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Spring means tending yards and gardens as well as crops, and along with these activities comes the task of keeping pests out.

"Purdue maintains a database to make the chore of selecting the appropriate pesticide a more manageable task," said Victoria Cassens, systems analyst for the Center for Environmental Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS) at Purdue University.

The National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (NPIRS) database contains information about registered pesticides at the state and federal levels. The Web site is free to access.

The NPIRS federal database includes the Office of Pesticide Programs' registered and canceled pesticide products, chemical ingredients, company information and a label system if the product registration number is known.

The state database is searchable by active ingredient, site of application, pest to be controlled, Environmental Protection Agency registration number, product name and company name. Multiple criteria can be entered through a series of steps to narrow the products listed.

Registered states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. Product information for the states is continuously updated.

"It gives access to state pesticide registration data that can be used in everyday lives," Cassens said.

She and her husband consult the database when searching for methods to control pests found around their home and Christmas tree farm.

For example, Cassens has problems with deer eating her rose bushes and was able to enter a variety of criteria into the system, resulting in a manageable list of potential pesticides. After reading the labels and information provided, Cassens selected a product.

Not only does the database provide effective measures for pest control, but it also delivers safety and environmental information.

"Safety is a large concern when using pesticides," Cassens said. "The information found also can help consumers decide if the product is safe for the intended environment."

Even with all the available information, Cassens advises consumers to always read labels closely before purchasing.

"As with any chemical, pesticides need to be used with caution," she said.

Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu

Source: Victoria Cassens, (765) 494 5429, vcassens@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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