Why is there a concern among consumers that pesticides may play a role in cancer risk? There is concern because of the potential for exposure.

We use pesticides :
   - In agriculture to raise crops and livestock
   - In the home and garden to control weeds, structural insects
     and animal pests
   - To control pests in recreational areas like golf courses, parks,
     playgrounds and athletic fields, and
   - For large scale insect control against vector-borne diseases.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that in 1997 nearly one billion pounds of pesticides were used in the United States alone. About 79% was used in agriculture, 14% for industrial, commercial and governmental use, and seven percent in the home and garden.