WESTMINSTER, Colorado – February 3rd, 2020 – February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month, a reminder for everyone to review their pesticide safety practices. The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), American Phytopathological Society (APS) and Entomological Society of America (ESA) are among the many organizations in the public and private sector that promote pesticide safety during February and throughout the year.
Everyone must focus on safety to protect themselves, others, and the environment, during pesticide transport, storage, application, and disposal. “There is no ‘downtime’ in the safe handling and use of pesticides,” notes Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., Executive Director of Science Policy for the Weed Science Society of America.
The National Pesticide Safety Education Month webpage contains a quiz to check your knowledge of some basic pesticide safety principles and a self-assessment to review some of your own pesticide safety practices at home and at work. You can also view a sample of educational resources produced by land-grant university Pesticide Safety Education Programs and learn the importance of these programs.
Everyone aspires to having a safe home environment, healthy crops, successful conservation efforts, protection of agricultural workers…the list goes on, and very often requires the safe handling and use of pesticides.
About the Weed Science Society of America
The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.
About the American Phytopathological Society
The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a nonprofit, professional scientific organization. The research of the organization’s slightly less than 5,000 worldwide members advances the understanding of the science of plant pathology and its application to plant health. For more information, visit www.apsnet.org.
About the Entomological Society of America
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has over 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry and government. Members are researchers, teachers, extension services personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, research technicians, consultants, students and hobbyists. For more information, visit www.entsoc.org.
Contact:
Lee Van Wychen
Executive Director of Science Policy National & Regional Weed Science Societies
[email protected]
202-746-4686