7 Pesticide Safety Tips
9/14/98

While waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to implement the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act successfully, Consumers Union urges consumers to follow these "Seven Pesticide Safety Tips":

• Wash or peel all fruits and vegetables and remove outer leaves of leafy vegetables to reduce the level of pesticide residues on foods;
  
• Buy organic foods when they are available and affordable;
  
• Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to vary your exposure to pesticides;
  
• Be informed -- Ask your school board about pest control policies in schools and urge the adoption of Integrated Pest Management&endash; relying on non-chemical controls and prevention to reduce pest populations -- at your child's school;
  
• Use home pesticide products as a last resort and always follow the instructions on the product label;
  
• Do not use home pesticide products that contain two classes of insecticides, OPs and carbamates, which interfere with the nervous system. Some brand names in this category include Sevin, Dursban, Empire, Equity, Spectracide, Knox Out, and Ficam; and
  
• Reduce home and garden use of pesticides by practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or hire exterminators who practice IPM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Consumers Union at 202/462-6262

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