ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Pesticide regulation in the United States

Okay kiddo, so you know how there are bugs and other pests that can eat and destroy our plants and crops? Well, to protect them, farmers use special chemicals called pesticides that kill those pesky bugs and other pests.

Now, the government in the United States wants to make sure that these pesticides are safe for humans, animals, and the environment. So, they have special rules and regulations that farmers and companies have to follow before they can use or sell these pesticides.

First, these pesticides have to be tested to see if they are safe. Scientists look at how much of the pesticide is needed to kill the bugs, but not hurt the plants or the animals that eat them. They also check how much of the pesticide could get into the air, water, or soil and if that could harm people or the environment.

If the pesticide passes these tests, then the government will give it a legal label that tells people how to use it safely. This label tells farmers and companies when and where they can use the pesticide and how much they can use. They also have to follow the instructions on the label to make sure they are using the pesticide safely.

The government also checks to make sure that farmers and companies are following these rules. They do this by inspecting the places where the pesticides are made and stored, and by checking how much of the pesticide is in the air, water, and soil.

So, basically, pesticide regulation in the United States is all about making sure that the pesticides we use to protect our plants and crops are safe for everyone and everything around us.