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Learn more about
the Division of Environmental Health
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Report
a Pesticide Illness
How do I report a suspected case?
What happens when a case is reported?
Why should suspected pesticide illness cases be
reported?
Who should I contact for questions?
Information for
Health Care Providers
How do I report a suspected case?
Report all cases of suspected or confirmed
pesticide related illness to:
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Washington Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222,
or
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Washington State Department of Health,
Pesticide Program: 1-877-485-7316
(M-F, 8-5)
Report hospitalizations and deaths immediately, and all other
suspected pesticide-related cases within 3 days (RCW 70.104.055 and
WAC
246-100).
What happens when
a case is reported?
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DOH receives reports of possible pesticide-related illness from
doctors’ offices, the Washington State Poison Center, local health jurisdictions, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Claims
Administration, and other sources. We receive about 300 reports a year. |
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Investigators in Olympia and Yakima follow up on reports to find
out:
We may collect the information over the phone, or we may go out in the field to collect samples or interview the
patient or witnesses. If medical care was sought, we work with
the provider to document the symptoms. |
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Every year, we publish the results of our investigations in a
Report to the Legislature.
We use the data collected from our case investigations to guide
outreach strategies for the prevention of pesticide illness. Outreach includes:
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Our staff have degrees and
training in medicine, environmental health, and toxicology. Our staff
bring to their work the
collective experience of over 4000 pesticide case investigations. We
serve as a resource to local health staff and health care providers. We
field questions from the general public about the health effects of pesticides.
Top of Page
Why should
suspected cases of pesticide poisoning be reported?
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Reporting is required under
Washington
State law (Chapter WAC
246-100).
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Reporting helps DOH identify problem pesticides, problem pesticide labels,
and application methods that result in hazardous exposures. Regulatory agencies can use this information to correct problems.
DOH can use this information to develop pesticide illness prevention
programs.
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Reporting ensures that pesticide-related illnesses
are recorded, even among patients who are reluctant to complain to
enforcement authorities. Because the role of DOH is to promote public health
rather than enforce regulations, our investigators can collect important prevention
information without the patient needing to make a formal complaint
against an employer, or neighbor, or building manager.
Who should I contact for
questions?
Call us with your reports or questions:
1-877-485-7316 or
1-360-
236-3184.
DOH Pesticide Program Staff
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Cynthia Lōpez,
Dr.PH, MPIA |
Pesticide Program Manager |
(360) 236-3184 |
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Sherrise Martin |
Administrative Assistant |
(360) 236-3360 |
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Cheryl Hanks, RN, BSN |
Investigator (Western Washington)
Education and Outreach
Case Investigation Quality Review |
(360) 236-3365 |
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Fran McBride |
PIRT
Panel Coordinator |
(360) 236-3367 |
Mario Magaña
(Se habla espanol)
Speaks
Spanish |
Investigator (Eastern
Washington) |
(509) 575-2056 |
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Barbara Morrissey MS |
Toxicologist,
Investigator (Western Washington) |
(360) 236-3368 |
Jennifer Seivert
(Se habla espanol)
Speaks
Spanish |
Investigator (Western Washington) |
((360) 236-3338 |
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Joanne Bonnar Prado, MPH |
Epidemiologist, Investigator (Western Washington) |
(360) 236-3356 |
Top of Page
For more information about the Pesticides Program, please contact
Cynthia López
or 360-236-3340.
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