Pesticides and the Environment

En español

Pesticides can be helpful in dealing with pests in our environment such as controlling invasive plant species that threaten native habitats. Pesticides can end up in different parts of the environment. How, when, and where a pesticide is applied may affect its movement. Its chemical properties can also influence its movement.

Tips to minimize environmental risks of pesticides:

• Read the pesticide label, including the "Environmental Hazards" section. Make sure you are following the directions to minimize risks to the environment.
• Properly dispose of unused pesticides. For information, consider contacting your local household hazardous waste facility.
• Consider adopting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to controlling pests. IPM practices are designed to have minimal impacts on the environment.
• When possible, try to use pesticides that are specifically designed for the pest you are trying to control. Broad-spectrum pesticides are more likely to affect non-target organisms in the environment like pollinators.

Chemical properties that affect movement in the environment:

• Water Solubility
• Pesticide Half-life
• Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS)
• Pesticide Binding Affinity
• Pesticide Vapor Pressure

Learn more about:

Air and Pesticides

Backyard Beekeepers

Beneficial Insects

Biochar and Pesticides

Plants and Pesticides

Pollinator Protection

Soil and Pesticides

Water and Pesticides

Wildlife and Pesticides

Additional Resources

• Label Review Manual: Environmental Hazards - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Envirofacts System Data Searches - EPA
• Environmentally Friendly Practices for Lawn and Garden - EPA
• Factsheet on Ecological Risk Assessment for Pesticides - EPA
• Protecting Endangered Species from Pesticides - EPA
• EPA Regional and State Environmental Agencies - EPA
• Pesticide National Synthesis Project - U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

If you have questions about pesticides in the environment, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.