' 'Pesticide body burdens' are gradually on the increase across the board. We know these chemicals have the potential to cause birth defects, cancer and other disease, and to accelerate the rate of degenerative disorders, for example: Parkinson's disease is now occurring at a younger age, and so are cancers.' Dr Sarah Myhill GP

There is now a comprehensive new UK resource which will empower everybody who is exposed to pesticides, or concerned about pesticides and health. Comprising six sections, with further titles in development, the PEX briefings tell you what to do if you are exposed to pesticides, how to report it, how to reduce your risks, how to ensure the incident is properly recorded and responded to, and how to negotiate for help and treatment with doctors and other professionals.

There are analyses of National Health Service (NHS) and regulatory resources and policies on pesticide exposure, and the briefings are designed to be of practical help also: they include a unique listing of medical practitioners, and toxicological and legal resources.

1. Reporting your exposure to pesticides: general guidelines - pdf 195KB

• What to do in the first 24 hours; what to do in the first seven days; what to do soon afterwards.

• Being exposed to pesticides: designer killers.

• Concerned about pesticides?

• Techniques for seeking advice and political support by Philip Grounds.

• Immediate contacts:
  statutory authorities
  need someone to talk to?

2.  PAN UK Incident and concern report form (this can be filled in online) - pdf 71KB

• Incident details

• Symptoms

• Pesticide details

• Action and response

• Concern about pesticides

• Comments on this form or advice received

• Immediate contacts:
  statutory authorities
  need someone to talk to?

3.  Pesticide exposure, your GP and the NHS - pdf 120KB

• Your GP

• The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS)

• Where does UK medical expertise on pesticide-related ill-health come from?

• NHS Direct

• Immediate contacts:
  statutory authorities
  need someone to talk to?

4.  Pesticide exposure and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - pdf 120KB

• The HSE's Pesticide Incident Appraisal Panel

• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

• HSE and the National Proficiency Training Council scheme

• HSE's GP-based scheme for monitoring pesticide-related illness

• Veterinary Medicines Directorate scheme

• Immediate contacts:
  statutory authorities
  need someone to talk to?

5.  Being exposed to pesticides: the cocktail effect - pdf 152KB

• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

• Ridding your home of synthetic chemicals by Margaret Reichlin

• Cocktail of denial

• Body burdens by Dr John McLaren Howard, Biolab Medical Unit

• Immediate contacts:
  statutory authorities
  need someone to talk to?

6.  Resource lists - pdf 183KB

• Medical practitioners with expertise in pesticide-related ill-health

• National Poisons Information Service

• 23 medical practitioners from private sector listed:
  contact details
  approach to investigating and diagnosing pesticide-related ill-health
  approach to treatment
  attitude to existing levels of pesticide 'body burdens' in the wider population
  NHS referrals?
  liaison with patient's GP
  current waiting list time for first consultation
  duration of typical programme of treatment for pesticide-related ill-health
  cost of typical programme of treatment for pesticide-related ill-health
  receives funding from the agrochemical industry?
  other medical practitioners endorsed for expertise in pesticide-related ill-health

• Medical and toxicological organizations

• Toxicological resources

• Epidemiology and public health services

• Legal resources

• Immediate contacts:
  statutory authorities
  need someone to talk to?

Pesticide exposure and health: the PEX briefings are one publication, available from PAN UK for £15; concessions are available on request for disabled/unemployed. Order via our online secure order form or print out the briefing flyer [PDF 33KB].