Laboratory Testing: Before pesticides are registered
by the U.S. EPA, they must undergo laboratory testing
for short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) health
effects. Laboratory animals are purposely fed high
enough doses to cause toxic effects. These tests help
scientists judge how these chemicals might affect
humans, domestic animals, and wildlife in cases of
overexposure. When pesticide products are used
according to the label directions, toxic effects are not
likely to occur because the amount of pesticide that
people and pets may be exposed to is low compared
to the doses fed to laboratory animals.