Pesticides are substances or mixture of
substances that prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate pests, or defoliate,
desiccate or regulate plants. Pests for example can be insects, fungi, weeds,
snails and slugs, mold and mildew. So insecticides, fungicides and herbicides
and even common disinfectants are pesticides. The suffix -"cide" derives from
the Latin meaning to cut down or kill.
- Why are Pesticides
Regulated?
Pesticides are poisonous substances that
can have an adverse effect on the environment or impair human health if handled
improperly. If misused, they could kill untargeted plants and animals or leave
excess residues on food crops or in drinking water. Misuse of pesticides could
cause health problems to people who are exposed to them by inhalation or skin
contact or by eating affected foods or drinking contaminated water.
How are Pesticides
Regulated?
Federal Law: The
Federal Government regulates pesticides through the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). FIFRA gives the
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the power to register pesticides
and to regulate the use, storage and disposal of containers and manufacturing
wastes. FIFRA also allows states to have primary enforcement
responsibility.
State Law:Massachusetts regulates pesticides under the authority of the
Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act (MPCA, Chapter 132B of the Massachusetts
General Laws). This law, enacted in 1978, places the power of pesticide
regulation with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The
regulations are Chapter 333 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (333 CMR).
The Pesticide Bureau in the Department of Agricultural Resources carries out
these regulatory responsibilites.
Download Pesticide Regulations
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