What physicians can do to reduce occupational and incidental pesticide exposure: a guide to best practices

Residents of rural areas trust their physicians to provide them with accurate, unbiased information about pesticides and the effect they can have on health. Educating patients about using pesticides safely and avoiding contact with them need not be difficult or time-consuming and can be based on universal precautions that are already being practiced in the health care industry. This article discusses the prevalence of pesticide use in the United States, the ways people can be exposed, and several best practices for helping patients reduce their chance of exposure to pesticides that can cause illness.