December 12th, 2017
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) gathers reports of pesticide exposures that result in acute illnesses and injuries. MDCH receives support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to investigate and track cases of Michigan workers who have an acute illness from having been exposed to pesticides on the job. We talk to workers, find out how they were exposed and how the pesticides affected their health. MDCH uses this information to help prevent future pesticide exposure incidents through education and improved workplace practices. For information about MDCH’s pesticide illness and injury surveillance contactAbby Schwartz at schwartza@michigan.gov or call the toxic hotline 1-800-MI-TOXIC (1-800-648-6942).As part of MDCH’s pesticide illness and injury surveillance program, we want to provide Michigan citizens with reliable information to understand and safely use pesticides. The following resources provide a wide variety of information about pesticides themselves; proper handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides; the pests they are used to eliminate; and ways to prevent pesticide-related illnesses and injuries.