National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
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Ever wonder when it is safe to go out on a lawn after it has been treated for weeds? Or what is the least toxic method for treating for carpenter ants? Or what to do if your pet eats the neighbor's snail or slug bait?
The toll-free National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN), co-sponsored by Oregon State University Extension Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is standing by to answer questions such as these. The Network, housed in Weniger Hall on the OSU campus, is home to this national toll-free telephone service for the general public, and the medical, veterinary and professional communities.
The Network answers about 2,200 per month from all over the United States. Their staff is made up of highly qualified and trained pesticide specialists who have the toxicology training needed to provide knowledgeable answers to questions about pesticides.
NPTN provides objective, science-based information about a wide variety of
pesticide-related subjects including:
- Pesticide products
- Recognition and management of pesticide poisonings
- Toxicology
- Environmental chemistry
- Referrals for laboratory analyses, investigation of pesticide incidents and emergency treatment
- Safety practices
- Health and environmental effects
- Clean up and disposal referrals
If the Network can't answer a question, it may refer or connect a caller to other knowledgeable sources, including individual state departments of agriculture, and state Extension Service offices. When callers are interested in alternative or least toxic pest control procedures, they are referred to groups such as the Bio-Integral Resource Center. If people call with pesticide emergencies, NPTN can directly connect them with the Oregon Poison Control Center or the National Animal Poison Control Center.
NPTN operates from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Telephone
800-858-7378
Fax
503-737-0761
Mail
NPTN
Agricultural Chemistry Extension
Oregon State University
333 Weniger
Corvallis, OR 97331-6502
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