Understanding the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC): who we are and what we do?

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) serves as a source of factual, unbiased, and scientific information for diverse audiences, including the agricultural and farmworker community, healthcare providers, educators, consumers, and the general public. NPIC offers comprehensive information on a wide variety of pesticide-related subjects, including pesticide products, toxicology, environmental chemistry, safety practices, pesticide regulation, risk assessment and management, environmental effects, label understanding, and integrated pest management (IPM). NPIC addresses current and emerging pesticide-related issues and provides access to federal, state, and local resources on such topics. NPIC helps people make informed decisions about pesticide use and safety by offering reputable, science-based information in a manner understandable to a lay audience. Additionally, NPIC collects and disseminates quality pesticide incident data through a rigorous and well-defined data collection system. Our center is committed to providing exceptional customer service by integrating professionalism, teamwork, integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to the public and the professional and medical communities. NPIC's services include a toll-free hotline staffed by trained specialists who respond to inquiries from a diverse audience, and robust online web content with an extensive array of publications, fact sheets, and technical documents. NPIC engages with diverse audiences through educational outreach, providing training and materials to enhance understanding of pesticide risks and promote best practices. NPIC significantly contributes to public health and environmental protection through informed decision-making, reinforcing its importance as a trusted resource in the realm of pesticide information and safety.