Pesticides Industry 

Sales and Usage 

2006 and 2007 

Market Estimates
Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage 

2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

By

Arthur Grube, 

David Donaldson, 

Timothy Kiely, and 

La Wu

Biological and Economic Analysis Division 

Office of Pesticide Programs 

Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Washington, DC 20460 

February 2011
Acknowledgments 

The authors would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance provided by the following reviewers: 

 Susan Kegley, Pesticide Research Institute; 

 Gautam Sirur, Cropnosis Limited; 

 Sheryl Kunickis, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 

 Gary Spolarich and Donna Marciano, California Department of Pesticide Regulation; 

 Greg Malcom, GFK Kynetec; 

 Dennis Fugate, Kline & Co., Inc.; 

 Leonard Gianessi, CropLife Foundation; 

 William Battaglin, U.S. Geological Survey; 

 Mark Miller, U.S. Department of Agriculture; and 

 Staff, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page i 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acknowledgments 
Contents 

Sections 

1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................Page 1

2. 2006 and 2007 Sales................................................................................................................................................. Page 4

 2.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures................................................................................................................. Page 4

 2.2 Value of U.S. Pesticides: Producer Level.............................................................................................................. Page 5

 2.3 User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States........................................................................................... Page 6

 2.4 Farm Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States........................................................................................... Page 7

3. 2006 and 2007 Usage................................................................................................................................................. Page 8

 3.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Amount Used................................................................................................................ Page8

 3.2 Pesticide Supply in the United States: Producer Level......................................................................................... Page 9

 3.3 Pesticide Amount Used in the United States: Total............................................................................................... Page 10

 3.4 Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States: Conventional............................................................................ Page 12

 3.5 Share of U.S. Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the 

 Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sectors............................................................................................... Page 13

 3.6 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients in the U.S. 

 Agricultural Market Sector..................................................................................................................................... Page 14

 3.7 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients in the U.S. 

 Non-Agricultural Market Sectors......................................................................................................................... Page 15

 3.8 Amount of Organophosphate Insecticides Used in the United States.................................................................... Page 16

 3.9 Pesticide Amount Used in the United States: Other.............................................................................................. Page 18

 3.10 Pesticide Amount Used in the United States: Specialty Biocides and Wood Preservatives...............................Page 19

4. Producers and Users................................................................................................................................................. Page 20

 4.1 Pesticide Producers and Users in 2007.................................................................................................................. Page 20

5. Historical Data........................................................................................................................................................... Page 21

 5.1 Annual Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States: 1988–2007.................................................................. Page 21 

 5.2 Annual Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States: 1988–2007.................................................................. 

 

Page 26 

6. Glossary.................................................................................................................................................................... Page 32

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page iii 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 
Tables 

2. 2006 and 2007 Sales

 Table 2.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level by Pesticide Type, 2006 and 2007 Estimates...... Page 4 

 Table 2.2 Value of U.S. Pesticide Production, Imports, Exports, and Supply at Producer Level............................. Page 5 

 Table 2.3 User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 

 2006 and 2007 Estimates........................................................................................................................... Page 6 

 Table 2.4 Farm Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States.............................................................................. Page 7 

3. 2006 and 2007 Usage

 Table 3.1 World and U.S. Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used 

 by Pesticide Type, 2006 and 2007 Estimates............................................................................................ Page 8 

 Table 3.2 U.S. Pesticide Production, Imports, Exports, and Supply in Amount of Active Ingredient at the 

Producer Level........................................................................................................................................... Page 9 

 Table 3.3 Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States by Pesticide Group, 2006 and 2007 Estimates............. Page 10 

 Table 3.4 Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2006 and 2007 Estimates.............................................................. Page 12 

 Table 3.5 Share of U.S. Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient 

 Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sectors, 2006 and 2007 Estimates.............................. Page 13 

 Table 3.6 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

 Agricultural Market Sector, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates......................................................... Page 14 

 Table 3.7 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

 Home and Garden Market Sector, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates............................................... Page 15 

 Table 3.8 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

 Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates..................... Page 15 

 Table 3.9 Amount of Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients Used in the United States, 

 All Market Sectors, 1990–2007 Estimates............................................................................................... Page 16 

 Table 3.10 Most Commonly Used Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients, 

All Market Sectors, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001...................................................................................... Page 17 

 Table 3.11 Other Pesticides Used in the United States by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 

2006 and 2007 Estimates........................................................................................................................... Page 18 

 Table 3.12 Specialty Biocides Used in the United States by End-Use Market, 2006 and 2007 Estimates................. Page 19 

 Table 3.13 Wood Preservatives Used in the United States by End-Use Market, 2004 and 2007 Estimates............... Page 19 

Page iv—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 
Tables (Continued) 

4. Producers and Users

 Table 4.1 Number of U.S. Pesticide Producers, Formulators, and Distributors........................................................ Page 20 

 Table 4.2 Number of Exterminating and Pest Control Firms and Number of Certified Applicators........................ Page 20 

 Table 4.3 Land in Farms, Land Harvested, Number of Farms, and Farms Using Pesticides.................................... Page 20 

 Table 4.4 Number of U.S. Households Using Pesticides.......................................................................................... Page 20 

5. Historical Data

 Table 5.1 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, All Market Sectors.................................................................. Page 22 

 Table 5.2 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector..................................................... Page 23 

 Table 5.3 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector................ Page 24 

 Table 5.4 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector........................................... Page 25 

 Table 5.5 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, All Market Sectors.................................................................. Page 27 

 Table 5.6 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector..................................................... Page 28

 Table 5.7 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector................. Page 29 

 Table 5.8 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector........................................... Page 30 

 Table 5.9 Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States, 

 Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sector Shares, 1970–2007..................................................... Page 31 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page v

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 
Figures 

2. 2006 and 2007 Sales 

 Figure 2.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level 

 by Pesticide Type, 2007 Estimates.......................................................................................................... Page 5 

 Figure 2.2 User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2007 Estimates............................................................................ Page 7 

3. 2000 and 2001 Usage

 Figure 3.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Amounts of Active Ingredient at User Level 

 by Pesticide Type, 2007 Estimates.......................................................................................................... Page 9 

 Figure 3.2 Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Group, 2007 Estimates....................................................................................................... Page 11 

 Figure 3.3 Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2007 Estimates............................................................................ Page 13 

 Figure 3.4 Total Amount of Organophosphate and All Other Insecticide Active Ingredients Used in 

 the United States in All Market Sectors, 1990–2007.............................................................................. Page 17 

5. Historical Data

 Figure 5.1 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, All Market Sectors...............................................................Page 22 

 Figure 5.2 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector................................................. Page 23 

 Figure 5.3 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector............... Page 24 

 Figure 5.4 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector......................................... Page 25 

 Figure 5.5 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, All Market Sectors................................................................ Page 27 

 Figure 5.6 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector.................................................. Page 28 

 Figure 5.7 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector............... Page 29 

 Figure 5.8 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

 by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector......................................... Page 30 

Page vi—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 
1. Introduction

Purpose of Report 

 Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, 

and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in cooperation with states and 

other agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA), is responsible for regulating the production and use of pesticides in the United States. This report 

provides contemporary and historical economic information on the U.S. pesticide producing and using sectors 

covered by these state and federal regulatory programs. Economic profile information covers a variety of topics, 

particularly the pesticide market with respect to dollar values and quantities of active ingredient. The EPA 

Pesticide Program has issued such market reports since 1979. 

 This report is intended only to present objective economic profile and trend information reflecting the 

best information available to EPA on pesticide sales and use. It does not attempt to interpret, reach conclusions 

about, or make inferences about the data. Detailed analysis of causal factors or implications, such as potential 

impacts on human health, the environment, or the economy, falls beyond the scope of this project. 

 We caution the reader not to infer too much from changes in the amount of pesticides used from year to 

year. Changes in the amount of pesticides used are not necessarily correlated with changes in the level of pest 

control or changes in the human health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use. 

Data Sources

 Neither EPA nor any other federal agency has a program devoted specifically to estimating the overall 

pesticide market in terms of dollars spent and quantity of active ingredient used on an annual basis. This report 

uses the best available information from the public domain and private marketing research companies 

(proprietary data sources). The numbers in the report represent approximate values rather than precise values 

with known statistical properties. 

 The Agency has a wide variety of public and proprietary information upon which to base estimates of 

pesticide sales and use. The Biological and Economic Analysis Division (BEAD) of EPA’s Office of Pesticide 

Programs (OPP) maintains extensive files and library materials. These materials cover different pesticide types 

and groupings in the agricultural and non-agricultural market sectors. In compiling the report, the Agency used 

several database services, including one from the USDA and others from private pesticide marketing research 

companies. The private marketing research data, produced by well-known organizations, also serve pesticide 

registrants and other private sector firms analyzing the U.S. and world pesticide market. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1. Introduction 
Overview of Contents/Scope of Report

 This report profiles the U.S. pesticide industry, on an annual basis, for the years 2006 and 2007, and 

provides data covering the years 1988–2005 in the historical data tables. Data for 2002–2005 were not reported 

in previous publications. Data were estimated using several different parameters (e.g., pesticide type, pesticide 

group, market sector) and appear in tabular format. The scope of the report is largely inclusive of the U.S. 

pesticide industry and includes data on expenditures, volume, imports, exports, firms, individuals involved in 

production and use of pesticides, number of pesticides, and number of certified applicators, among other topics. 

Data on expenditures and sales are reported in nominal terms for the year indicated (i.e., not adjusted or indexed 

for inflation). The report includes graphical representations of the data where useful. The historical section of the 

report provides data from 1988 to 2007. Data from 1980 to 1987 are available on the EPA website (http://

www.epa.gov/opp00001/pestsales). 

 Following this Introduction (Section 1), Section 2 of the report summarizes world and U.S. pesticide 

user expenditures in 2006 and 2007, and Section 3 summarizes world and U.S. pesticide amounts used in 2006 

and 2007. Section 4 presents background information on pesticide market sectors. Finally, Section 5 presents 

historical data summarizing pesticide expenditures and estimates of amounts used from 1988 to 2007. 

The writing of the 2008 and 2009 pesticides industry sales and usage report is scheduled to begin once 

all of the supporting pesticide sales and usage data for 2009 are published and available to EPA. If you have 

questions regarding this report or need further information, please contact the authors by e-mail (or telephone): 

kiely.timothy@epa.gov (703-308-8112), and donaldson.david@epa.gov (703-308-9546).

Page 2—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1. Introduction 
Page intentionally left blank.

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 3

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2. 2006 and 2007 Sales 

2.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures 

 World pesticide expenditures totaled more than $35.8 billion in 2006 and more than $39.4 billion in 

2007 (see Table 2.1). Expenditures on herbicides accounted for the largest portion of total expenditures 

(approximately 40%), followed by expenditures on insecticides, fungicides, and other pesticides, respectively. 

Total expenditures increased in 2007 due to increased spending on all pesticide types. 

 U.S. pesticide expenditures totaled $11.8 billion in 2006 and $12.5 billion in 2007, in proportions 

similar to those of world expenditures, with a relatively larger proportion of total U.S. expenditures on herbicides 

(see Figure 2.1). In 2007, U.S. expenditures accounted for 32% of total world on pesticides, 38% of world 

expenditures on herbicides, 39% of world expenditures on insecticides, 15% of world expenditures on 

fungicides, and 25% of world expenditures on other pesticides. The Agency based its estimates of world and 

U.S. pesticide expenditures on the estimated pesticide expenditures and changes in pesticide expenditures from 

public and proprietary EPA databases. See Section 2.3 for a more detailed look at U.S. expenditures on 

pesticides in 2006 and 2007. See Section 5.1 for historical data on U.S. pesticide expenditures from 1988 to 

2007.

Table 2.1 

World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level 

by Pesticide Type, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. Table data do not cover wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and 

chlorine/hypochlorites. 

Source: Cropnosis Limited (www.cropnosis.com), USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov), and EPA proprietary data. 

1. ―Herbicides‖ include herbicides and plant growth regulators (PGRs).

2. ―Other‖ includes nematicides, fumigants, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, plus other chemicals used 

as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

Page 4—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2006 and 2007 Sales 

Year and World Market U.S. Market U.S. Percentage 

Pesticide Type Millions of $ % Millions of $ % of World Market 

2006

Herbicides1

14,247 40 5,673 48 40

Insecticides2

10,259 29 4,091 35 40

Fungicides2

7,987 22 1,165 10 15

Other3

3,320 9 855 7 26

Total 35,814 100 11,784 100 33

2007

Herbicides1

15,512 39 5,856 47 38

Insecticides2

11,158 28 4,337 35 39

Fungicides2

9,216 23 1,375 11 15

Other3

3,557 9 886 7 25

Total 39,443 100 12,454 100 32
2.2 Value of U.S. Pesticides: Producer Level

 Table 2.2 summarizes the 2006 and 2007 average value of U.S. pesticides at the producer level. The 

table includes production, import, export, and supply (total and net). There was an annual average of $9.8 billion 

from domestic pesticide production, $1.6 billion imports, $2.1 billion exports, and $9.3 billion net supply at the 

producer level for 2006 and 2007. 

Table 2.2 

Value of U.S. Pesticide Production, Imports, Exports, and Supply 

at Producer Level

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Includes conventional pesticides and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

Source: USDA/FAS (www.fas.usda.gov). 

Annual Sales 

(Billions of Dollars) 

Average of 2006 and 2007 

Production 9.8 

Imports 1.6 

Total Supply 11.4 

Exports 2.1 

Net Supply 9.3 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 5

Figure 2.1 

World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level 

by Pesticide Type, 2007 Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2006 and 2007 Sales 

0

8,000

16,000

24,000

32,000

40,000

48,000

Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Other Total

Pesticide Type

Millions of Dollars

World Market

U.S. Market
Herbicides/Plant 

Growth Regulators 

Insecticides/ 

Miticides 

Fungicides Other* Year and Total 

Market Sector 

Mil $ % Mil $ % Mil $ % Mil $ % Mil $ % 

2006

Agriculture 4,077 72 1,830 45 861 74 571 67 7,339 62

Ind/Comm/Gov 873 15 694 17 240 21 71 8 1,878 16

Home & Garden 723 13 1,567 38 64 5 213 25 2,567 22

Total 5,673 100 4,091 100 1,165 100 855 100 11,784 100

2007

Agriculture 4,211 72 1,999 46 1,066 78 593 67 7,869 63

Ind/Comm/Gov 896 15 709 16 243 18 73 8 1,921 15

Home & Garden 749 13 1,629 38 66 5 220 25 2,664 21

Total 5,856 100 4,337 100 1,375 100 886 100 12,454 100

Table 2.3 

User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2006 and 2007 Estimates

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. Table does not cover wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Due to lack 

of data resources, the home and garden market sector estimates for 2006 and 2007 as well as the industrial/commercial/government sector’s estimate for 2007 were calculated based on the percentage change from 2004 and 2005 data. See Section 5.1 for 2004 and 2005 data. See Tables 5.1 

to 5.4 for 1988–2007 estimates.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

* ―Other‖ includes nematicides, fumigants, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and 

petroleum oil). 

2.3 User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

 U.S. expenditures at the user level for conventional and other pesticides totaled $11.8 billion in 2006 

and $12.5 billion in 2007 (see Table 2.3). Pesticides included in the estimates are herbicides, plant growth regulators, insecticides, miticides, fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, sulfur, petroleum oil, and others. The estimates exclude expenditures on wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. 

 Increase in spending in the agricultural sector on all pesticide types and increases in spending in the 

non-agricultural sectors (industry/commercial/government and home and garden) in 2007 resulted in an increase 

in total 2007 expenditures. Expenditures in the agriculture sector accounted for nearly two-thirds of total expenditures in both years. Expenditures on herbicides and plant growth regulators dominated in all sectors except the 

home and garden sector, where insecticides comprised more than 60% of all expenditures. The Agency based its 

estimates of U.S. pesticide expenditures on the estimated pesticide expenditures and estimated changes in pesticide expenditures from public and proprietary EPA databases. See Section 5.1 for historical data on U.S. pesticide expenditures from 1988 to 2007. 

 As a result of limitations in the source data on U.S. pesticide expenditures, estimates provided in Table 

2.3 group nematicides and fumigants, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as 

pesticides into the ―Other‖ category. Estimates of pounds of nematicides and fumigants, other miscellaneous 

conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as pesticides are provided in Section 3 (see Tables 3.4 and 

3.11).

Page 6—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2006 and 2007 Sales 
0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

Herbicides / PGR Insecticides / Miticides Fungicides Other

Millions of Dollars

Pesticide Type

`

2.4 Farm Expenditures on Pesticides 

 in the United States 

 Pesticides are a significant component of total 

farm expenditures and an important element of farm 

budgeting and management. U.S. pesticide expenditures in 

2006 and 2007 totaled 3.1% and 2.8% of total farm 

expenditures, respectively (see Table 2.4). Both farm 

expenditures and pesticide expenditures increased in 2007. 

Total farm expenditures are based on USDA estimates, and 

pesticide expenditure estimates are based on Table 2.3.

Expenditure 

(Billion $) 2006 2007

Total $237.8 $283.5 

Pesticides $7.3 $7.9 

Pesticides as % 

of Total 3.1% 2.8% 

Source: EPA estimates based on Table 2.3 and 

USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov).

Table 2.4

Farm Expenditures on 

Pesticides in the United States

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 7

Figure 2.2 

User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2007 Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2006 and 2007 Sales 
3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

3.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Amount Used 

 

 World pesticide amount used was approximately 5.2 billion pounds in both 2006 and 2007 (see Table 

3.1). Herbicides accounted for the largest portion of total use, followed by other pesticides, insecticides, and 

fungicides. Total world pesticide amount used increased in 2007. U.S. pesticide amount used in both 2006 and 

2007 exceeded 1.1 billion pounds, in proportions similar to those of world pesticide use, with herbicides and 

other pesticides representing a larger portion of total U.S. pesticide use (see Figure 3.1). U.S. pesticide amount 

used accounted for 22% of total world pesticide amount used, 25% of world herbicide amount used, 10% of 

world insecticide amount used, 14% of world fungicide amount used, and more than 25% of other pesticide 

amount used in both years. The Agency based its estimates of world and U.S. pesticide amount used on the estimated pesticide amount used and estimated changes in pesticide amount used from public and proprietary EPA 

databases. See Section 5.2 for historical data on U.S. pesticide amount used from 1988 to 2007. Data in this 

section were developed to compare world with U.S. pesticide use. For a more detailed look at U.S. pesticide use 

and a further breakout of the ―other‖ pesticide category, see tables 3.3, 3.4, and 3.11 through 3.13.

Table 3.1 

World and U.S. Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used 

by Pesticide Type, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. Does not include wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/

hypochlorites. 

Source: EPA estimates based on Cropnosis Limited (www.cropnosis.com), USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov), and 

EPA proprietary data. 

1. ―Herbicides‖ include herbicides and plant growth regulators.

2. ―Other‖ includes nematicides, fumigants, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used 

as pesticides such as sulfur, petroleum oil, and sulfuric acid. 

Year and World Market U.S. Market U.S. Percentage 

Pesticide Type Mil lbs % Mil lbs % of World Market 

2006

Herbicides1

2,018 39 498 44 25

Insecticides 955 18 99 9 10

Fungicides 519 10 73 6 14

Other2

1,705 33 457 41 27

Total 5,197 100 1,127 100 22

2007

Herbicides1

2,096 40 531 47 25

Insecticides 892 17 93 8 10

Fungicides 518 10 70 6 14

Other2

1,705 33 439 39 26

Total 5,211 100 1,133 100 22

Page 8—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 
Figure 3.1 

World and U.S. Pesticide Amounts of Active Ingredient at User Level 

by Pesticide Type, 2007 Estimates 

3.2 Pesticide Supply in the United States: Producer Level

 Table 3.2 summarizes the 2006 and 2007 average U.S. distribution of pesticides at the producer level, 

including the amount of production, imports, exports, and supply (total and net). The pesticide amount related to 

U.S. pesticide production and consumption comprised 1.2 billion pounds of domestic production, 0.2 billion 

pounds of imports, 0.3 billion pounds of exports, and 1.1 billion pounds of net supply. 

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Includes conventional pesticides and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/FAS (www.fas.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

Active Ingredient 

(Billions of Pounds) 

Average of 2006 and 2007 

Production 1.2 

Imports 0.2 

Total Supply 1.4 

Exports 0.3 

Net Supply 1.1 

Table 3.2 

U.S. Pesticide Production, Imports, Exports, and Supply 

in Amount of Active Ingredient at Producer Level

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 9

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Other Total

Pesticide Type Millions of Pounds

World Market

U.S. Market
3.3 Pesticide Amount Used in the United States: Total 

Total pesticide amount used in the United States was approximately 5.1 billion pounds in both 2006 and 

2007 (see Table 3.3). These estimates include conventional pesticides, other chemicals used as pesticides, wood 

preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. With more than 2.6 billion pounds used, the 

amount of chlorine/hypochlorites used was greater than for all other pesticide groups combined (see Figure 3.2). 

The estimates of use by group rely on the estimated amount used and changes in estimated amount used by 

pesticide group derived from public and proprietary EPA databases. A discussion of the amount used of each 

pesticide group in 2006 and 2007 appears in subsequent sections (see footnotes to Table 3.3 for locations).

Table 3.3 

Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Group, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

1. See Table 3.4 (conventional pesticides) for additional details and specific source 

information. 

2. ―Other pesticides‖ include other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum 

oil). See Table 3.11 (other pesticides) for additional details and specific source 

information. 

3. See Table 3.12 (specialty biocides) for additional details and specific source 

information. 

4. Due to the lack of data on chlorine/hypochlorites use, the estimate is based on the 

amount reported in the previous report (U.S. EPA, ―Pesticide Industry Sales and Usage, 

2000 and 2001 Market Estimates,‖ 2004). 

5. Due to the lack of data available for 2006, the estimate of the amount of wood 

preservatives used in 2006 is based on data from 2004. See Table 3.13 for additional 

details and specific source information. 

Pesticide Group Total (Million Pounds) 

2006 2007

Conventional Pesticides1821 857

Other Pesticides2306 276

Specialty Biocides3 379 389

Chlorine/Hypochlorites Used In 

Water Treatment4

2,609 2,609 

Wood Preservatives5985 954

Total 5,100 5,085 

Page 10—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 
Figure 3.2 

Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Group, 2007 Estimates 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 11

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

Conventional Pesticides 

17%

Other Pesticides 5%

Wood Preservatives 19%

Specialty Biocides 8%

Chlorine/Hypochlorites 

51%
3.4 Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States: Conventional 

Table 3.4 shows that the amount of conventional pesticide used in 2006 and 2007 totaled 821 and 857 

million pounds of active ingredient, respectively. This category of pesticide use was third highest among all 

pesticide groups in the United States after chlorine/hypochlorites and wood preservatives. Table 3.4 shows the 

breakout of this use by pesticide type and market sector. Pesticide types in this group include herbicides, plant 

growth regulators (PGRs), insecticides, miticides, fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, and others. The amount 

used in the agricultural sector accounted for the majority of the total amount used in 2006 and 2007, with the two 

non-agricultural sectors (industry/commercial/government and home & garden) cumulatively accounting for 

approximately one-fifth of the total use in each year (see Table 3.4). The amount used in the agriculture sector 

also accounted for the majority of the total amount used by pesticide type—70% or more of the total amount 

used of each type, except for fungicides in 2006 (63%) and 2007 (63%). Figure 3.3 graphs the distribution of 

use by pesticide type and sector in 2007. The estimated use levels rely on the estimated amount used and 

changes in amount used of conventional pesticides by sector and type derived from public and proprietary EPA 

databases. 

Table 3.4 

Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

Herbicides/Plant 

Growth Regulators 

Insecticides/

Miticides 

Fungicides Nematicide/

Fumigant 

Other 

Conventional*

Year and Total 

Market Sector 

Mil lbs % Mil lbs % Mil lbs % Mil lbs % Mil lbs % Mil lbs % 

2006 

Agriculture 407 82 69 70 46 63 96 79 25 83 643 78

Ind/Comm/Gov 45 9 14 14 20 27 24 20 4 13 107 13

Home & Garden 46 9 16 16 7 10 1 1 1 3 71 9 

Total 498 100 99 100 73 100 121 100 30 100 821 100

2007 

Agriculture 442 83 65 70 44 63 108 81 25 83 684 80

Ind/Comm/Gov 46 9 14 15 19 27 24 18 4 13 107 12

Home & Garden 43 8 14 15 7 10 1 1 1 3 66 8 

Total 531 100 93 100 70 100 133 100 30 100 857 100

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. Table does not cover wood preservatives, specialty biocides, chlorine/hypochlorites, and other chemicals 

used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). The abbreviation ―a.i.‖ stands for active ingredient.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

See Tables 5.5 to 5.8 for 1988–2007 estimates. 

* ―Other Conventional‖ pesticides include rodenticides and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides.

Page 12—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Herbicides / Plant 

Growth Regulators 

Insecticides / 

Miticides

Fungicides Nematicides / 

Fumigants

Other Conventional Millions of Pounds

Pesticide Type

Figure 3.3 

Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2007 Estimates

3.5 Share of U.S. Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the 

 Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sectors 

 Table 3.5 shows the agricultural and non-agricultural market share of total conventional pesticides consumed in 2006 and 2007. The agricultural sector accounts for nearly 80% of the total amount of conventional 

pesticides used in both years. See Table 5.9 in Section 5.2 for historical data covering the years 1970 through 

2007.

Table 3.5 

Share of U.S. Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the 

Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sectors, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

Note: Table data include conventional pesticides only, and exclude sulfur, petroleum oil, and other chemicals used as 

pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents), wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. 

See Table 5.9 for 1970–2007 data. 

Source: EPA estimates based on Table 3.4. 

Year U.S. Agricultural Market Sector Non-Agricultural Market Sector 

Mil lbs Mil lbs % of U.S. Mil lbs % of U.S. 

2006 821 643 78 178 22

2007 857 684 80 173 20

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 13

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 
Note: List is limited to conventional pesticides and does not include sulfur and petroleum oil (see Table 3.11). H indicates herbicide; I, insecticide; Fum, 

fumigant; F, fungicide; and PGR, plant growth regulator. A dash (—) indicates that the pesticide was not one of the 25 most commonly used (pesticides) 

in the given year. Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

3.6 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients in the U.S. 

 Agricultural Market Sector

 Table 3.6 shows the 25 most commonly used conventional pesticide active ingredients in the agricultural sector in 2007 and selected earlier years. Glyphosate was the most used active ingredient in 2007 (180 million to 185 million pounds used). It has been the most used active ingredient in agriculture since 2001. Thirteen 

of the top 25 active ingredients used in the agricultural sector are herbicides; 3 are fungicides; 3 are insecticides; 

5 are fumigants; and 1 is a plant growth regulator. The rankings rely on the estimated pounds of conventional 

pesticides used in the agricultural sector, taken from public and proprietary databases. 

Page 14—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

Table 3.6

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Agricultural Market Sector, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates 

(Ranked by Range in Millions of Pounds of Active Ingredient) 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

Active 

Ingredient 

Type 2007 2005 2003 2001

Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range 

Glyphosate H 1 180-185 1 155-160 1 128-133 1 85-90

Atrazine H 2 73-78 2 70-75 2 75-80 2 74-80

Metam Sodium Fum 3 50-55 3 39-44 3 45-50 3 57-62

Metolachlor-S H 4 30-35 5 27-32 6 28-33 9 20-24

Acetochlor H 5 28-33 6 26-31 5 30-35 4 30-35

Dichloropropene Fum 6 27-32 4 30-35 7 20-24 8 20-25

2,4-D H 7 25-29 7 24-28 4 30-35 5 28-33

Methyl Bromide Fum 8 11-15 8 12-16 8 13-17 7 20-25

Chloropicrin Fum 9 9-11 10 9-12 9 9-12 18 5-9 

Pendimenthalin H 10 7-9 9 9-12 10 9-12 11 15-19

Ethephon PGR 11 7-9 11 8-10 15 6-7 21 5-8 

Chlorothalonil F 12 7-9 13 7-9 14 7-9 13 8-11

Metam Potassium Fum 13 7-9 20 4-6 20 4-6 — 1-2 

Chlorpyrifos I 14 7-9 15 6-8 13 7-9 15 8-11

Copper Hydroxide F 15 6-8 12 8-10 12 7-9 14 8-10

Simazine H 16 5-7 17 5-7 17 6-7 23 5-7 

Trifluralin H 17 5-7 14 7-9 11 8-10 12 12-16

Propanil H 18 4-6 18 4-6 18 5-7 17 6-9 

Mancozeb F 19 4-6 16 6-8 16 6-7 20 6-8 

Aldicarb I 20 3-4 21 3-5 25 4-6 — 3-5 

Acephate I 21 2-4 24 2-4 — 1-3 — 1-3 

Diuron H 22 2-4 19 4-6 21 4-6 — 3-6 

MCPA H 23 2-4 — 2-4 24 4-6 — 3-5 

Paraquat H 24 2-4 25 2-4 — 3-4 — 3-5 

Dimethenamid H 25 2-4 — 2-4 23 4-6 19 6-8 
3.7 Most Commonly Used 

 Conventional Pesticide 

 Active Ingredients in the 

 U.S. Non-Agricultural 

 Market Sectors 

 Tables 3.7 and 3.8 show the 10 

most commonly used conventional 

pesticide active ingredients in the two 

non-agricultural sectors (home & garden 

and industry/commercial/government) for 

2007 and selected earlier years. In both 

sectors, 2,4-D was the most used active 

ingredient, with between 8 and 11 million 

pounds used in the home and garden 

sector (see Table 3.7) and between 19 and 

22 million pounds used in the industry/

commercial/government sector (see Table 

3.8). Seven of the top 10 active 

ingredients used in the home and garden 

sector are herbicides, and three are 

insecticides. Six of the top 10 active 

ingredients used in the industry/

commercial/government sector are 

herbicides, two are fungicides, and two 

are insecticides. As noted in Table 3.8, 

because some applicators apply pesticides 

in both markets, there may be some usage 

reported in one market that may have 

occurred in the other. The rankings are 

based on EPA proprietary data. 

Table 3.8

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates 

(Ranked by Range in Millions of Pounds of Active Ingredient) 

Table 3.7

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients 

Home and Garden Market Sector 

2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates 

(Ranked by Range in Millions of Pounds of Active Ingredient) 

Note: Does not include moth controls: Paradiclorobenzene (30–35 million pounds per year) and naphthalene (2–4 million pounds per year). Also does not include insect repellent N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (5–7 

million pounds per year). H indicates herbicide, and I indicates insecticide. A dash (—) indicates that an 

estimate is not available. Due to lack of data, the same estimates are used for both 2005 and 2007 in this 

report. Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data. 

Note: Includes applications to homes and gardens by professional applicators. Does not include sulfur or 

petroleum oil. H indicates herbicide; I, insecticide; and F, fungicide. A dash (—) indicates that an estimate is not available. Due to lack of data, the same estimate is used for both 2005 and 2007 in this report. 

Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 15

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

Active 

Ingredient 

2007 & 2005 2003 2001

Type 

Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range 

2,4-D H 1 19-22 1 19-22 1 16-18

Glyphosate H 2 13-15 2 13-15 2 13-15

Chlorothalonil F 3 3-5 4 3-5 5 2-4 

MSMA H 4 2-4 5 3-5 8 2-4 

Diuron H 5 2-4 6 2-4 7 2-4 

Pendimethalin H 6 2-4 8 2-4 4 3-5 

Triclopyr H 7 2-4 7 2-4 9 1-3 

Copper Sulfate F 8 2-4 3 4-6 3 4-6 

Malathion I 9 1-3 9 1-3 10 1-3 

Sulfuryl fluoride I 10 1-3 10 1-3 — —

Active 

Ingredient 

2007 & 2005 2003 2001

Type 

Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range 

2,4-D H 1 8-11 1 8-11 1 8-11

Glyphosate H 2 5-8 5 5-8 2 5-8 

Carbaryl I 3 4-6 2 6-9 6 2-4 

MCPP H 4 4-6 3 5-8 5 4-6 

Pendimethalin H 5 3-5 4 5-8 3 3-6 

Pyrethroids I 6 2-4 7 2-4 — <1

Malathion I 7 2-4 6 3-6 8 2-4 

Dicamba H 8 1-3 9 1-3 7 2-4 

Trifluralin H 9 1-3 — <1 — <1

Pelarganoc Acid H 10 <1 — <1 — <1
Table 3.9 

Amount of Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients Used in the United States 

All Market Sectors, 1990–2007 Estimates 

3.8 Amount of Organophosphate Insecticides Used in the United States 

 Table 3.9 shows the total amount of organophosphate insecticide used annually since 1990. The top 10 

active ingredients used in 2007 in this pesticide class are chlorpyrifos, malathion, acephate, naled, dicrotophos, 

phosmet, phorate, diazinon, dimethoate, and azinphos-methyl (see Table 3.10). Since the passage of the Food 

Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996, this class of conventional pesticides has been a primary focus of EPA 

reregistration and registration review activities. For more information on the active ingredients included in this 

pesticide class and their registration status, refer to U.S. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs Special Docket 

EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0151 at www.regulations.gov. 

 The amount of organophosphate insecticides used has declined more than 60% since 1990, from an 

estimated 85 million pounds in 1990 to 33 million pounds in 2007 (see Table 3.9). Organophosphate use as a 

percent of total insecticide use has decreased from 70% in 1990 to 36% in 2007. The estimates of organophosphate insecticide use rely on the estimated amount used and changes in the amount used of organophosphates 

from public and proprietary EPA databases. 

Year All Insecticides Organophosphate Insecticides 

Mil lbs Mil lbs % of All Insecticides 

1980 228 131 57

1985 161 114 71

1990 121 85 70

1991 114 82 72

1992 116 84 72

1993 115 79 69

1994 124 83 67

1995 125 80 64

1996 116 75 65

1997 112 73 65

1998 103 66 64

1999 126 91 72

2000 122 88 72

2001 105 73 70

2002 130 59 45

2003 115 46 40

2004 114 46 40

2005 104 40 39

2006 99 37 38

2007 93 33 35

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary 

data. 

Page 16—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 
0

5 0

100

150

200

250

1980 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Organophosphate Insecticides 

All Other Insecticides 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 17

Note: A dash (—) indicates that an estimate is not available. 

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

Table 3.10 

Most Commonly Used Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients, 

All Market Sectors, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 Estimates 

(Ranked by Range in Millions of Pounds of Active Ingredient) 

Figure 3.4 

Total Amount of Organophosphate and All Other Insecticide Active Ingredients 

Used in the United States in All Market Sectors, 1990–2007

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

Active Ingredient 

2007 2005 2003 2001

Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range 

Chlorpyrifos 1 8-11 2 7-9 2 9-11 2 11-16

Malathion 2 5-9 1 11-13 1 11-13 1 23-32

Acephate 3 4-6 3 4-6 5 2-4 5 2-3 

Naled 4 1-2 5 1-2 7 1-2 — —

Dicrotophos 5 1-2 7 1-2 — — — —

Phosmet 6 1-2 4 1-2 6 1-2 8 1-2 

Phorate 7 1-2 6 1-2 9 1-2 6 2-3 

Diazinon 8 <1 8 <1 3 3-5 3 4-7 

Dimethoate 9 <1 10 <1 — — 10 1-2 

Azinphos-Methyl 10 <1 9 <1 8 1-2 9 1-2 

Year 

Millions of Pounds 

Note: The dotted vertical line indicates a change in time scale. 
3.9 Pesticide Amount Used in the United States: Other 

 The total amount of other pesticides used in the United States was more than 300 million pounds in 

2006 and more than 275 million pounds in 2007 (see Table 3.11). The pesticides in this group include sulfur; 

petroleum oil; other chemicals used as pesticides, such as sulfuric acid; insect repellents (e.g., DEET); moth

control products (e.g., paradichlorobenzene); and others. In 2007, nearly all of the sulfur and oil used (84%) was

in the agricultural sector, while the use of the other pesticides in this group was mainly in the agricultural and 

home and garden sectors (91%). The decrease in the amount used from 2006 to 2007 resulted mainly from a 

decrease in the use of other pesticides in the agricultural sector. Nearly three-fourths of the total amount of 

sulfur, oil, and other pesticides used was in the agricultural sector. The estimated use levels rely on the amount 

used and changes in the amount used of sulfur, oil, and other pesticides by sector and type derived from public

and proprietary EPA databases.

Table 3.11 

Other Pesticides Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. Table estimates do not include conventional pesticides, wood 

preservatives, specialty biocides, or chlorine/hypochlorites. The abbreviation ―a.i.‖ is for active ingredient.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

See Tables 5.5 to 5.8 for 1988–2007 estimates. Due to lack of available data, the estimated amount of sulfur 

and petroleum oil and the estimated amount of other pesticides in the industry/commercial/government 

sector were carried forward from the 2001 report.

1. ―Sulfur and Oil‖ includes sulfur, petroleum distillate, and petroleum oil.

2. ―Other‖ includes sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, insect repellents, zinc sulfate, moth control chemicals 

(e.g., paradichlorobenzene and naphthalene), and other miscellaneous chemicals used as pesticides but 

produced largely for non-pesticidal purposes. 

Sulfur and Oil1 Other2 Year and Total 

Market Sector Mil lbs % Mil lbs % Mil lbs % 

2006

Agriculture 159 85 64 54 223 73

Ind/Comm/Gov 14 7 8 7 22 7 

Home & Garden 15 8 46 39 61 20

Total 188 100 118 100 306 100

2007

Agriculture 152 84 41 43 193 70

Ind/Comm/Gov 14 8 8 8 22 8 

Home & Garden 15 8 46 48 61 22

Total 181 100 95 100 276 100

Page 18—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 
Table 3.12 

Specialty Biocides Used in the United States 

by End-Use Market, 2006 and 2007 Estimates 

Table 3.13 

Wood Preservatives Used in the United States 

by End-Use Market, 2004 and 2007 Estimates 

3.10 Pesticide Amount Used in the United States: Specialty Biocides and 

 Wood Preservatives 

 Tables 3.12 and 3.13 show the total amount of specialty biocides and wood preservatives by end-use 

market in the United States in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Specialty biocides include water treatment chemicals, disinfectants and sanitizers, and products for other uses, such as in adhesives, sealants, and leather. More 

than 80% of the total amount of specialty biocides used in 2006 and 2007 were water treatment chemicals. 

Wood preservatives include waterborne preservatives, oilborne preservatives, and creosote. Creosote accounted 

for 78% of the total wood preservative amount used in 2007. 

Year and Total 

End Use Market Mil lbs % 

2006

Recreational and Industrial 

Water Treatment1 

311 82

Disinfectants and Sanitizers225 7 

Other Specialty Biocides344 12

Total 379 100

2007

Recreational and Industrial 

Water Treatment1 

319 82

Disinfectants and Sanitizers226 7 

Other Specialty Biocides345 12

Total 389 100

Note: Totals do not sum due to rounding. 

Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data. 

1. ―Recreational and Industrial Water Treatment‖ does not include 

hypochlorite or chlorine use. 

2. ―Disinfectants and Sanitizers‖ includes industrial/institutional 

applications and household cleaning products. Does not include 

hypochlorite or chlorine use. 

3. ―Other Specialty Biocides‖ includes biocides for adhesives and 

sealants, leather, synthetic latex polymers, metalworking fluids, 

paints and coatings, petroleum products, plastics, mineral slurries, 

and textiles. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 19

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2006 and 2007 Usage 

Note: Due to lack of data resources, data are only available for the 

years 2004 and 2007. Percentages for 2007 do not sum to 100 due 

to rounding. 

Source: Statistical Overview of the U.S. Wood Preservatives 

Industry: 2004 and 2007. by Richard P. Vlosky. "Wood 

Preservatives" include creosote, pentachlorophenol, chromated 

copper arsenate (CCA), and micronized copper systems. 

Year and Total 

End Use Market Mil lbs % 

2006

Waterborne Preservatives 183 19

Oilborne Preservatives 23 2 

Creosote 779 79

Total 985 100

2007

Waterborne Preservatives 185 19

Oilborne Preservatives 23 2 

Creosote 746 78

Total 954 100
4. Producers and Users 

4.1 Pesticide Producers and Users in 2007 

 

 Table 4.1 lists 2007 estimates of the number of firms that are pesticide producers, formulators, and distributors. Table 4.2 lists 2007 estimates of the number of exterminating and pest control firms and certified pesticide applicators. Table 4.3 lists 2007 estimates of farm land, acres harvested, and the number of farms using 

pesticides and fertilizers. Table 4.4 lists 2007 estimates of the number of households using pesticides. 

Table 4.3 

Land in Farms, Land Harvested, Number 

of Farms, and Farms Using Pesticides 

Land in Farms (acres) 922 million 

Land Harvested (acres) 310 million 

Total Number of Farms 2.204 million 

Total Number of Farms with Cropland 1.685 million 

Total Number of Farms with Harvested Cropland 1.328 million 

Number of Farms Using Chemicals for:

 Insects on Crops/Hay 354,357 

 Nematodes 34,992 

 Diseases on Crops/Orchards 97,333 

 Weed/Grass/Brush 703,884 

 Defoliation/Fruit Thinning 44,638 

 Any or all of the above 918,604 

 Any or all of the above plus fertilizer 1,288,360 

Pesticide Type Households 

Insecticides 59 million 

Fungicides 14 million 

Herbicides 41 million 

Repellents 53 million 

Disinfectants 59 million 

Any Pesticides 78 million 

Note: In 2000 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the U.S. population to be 281.4 million with 105.5 million households. 

Source: EPA estimates based on the 1992 EPA National Home 

and Garden Survey and 2000 U.S. Census Bureau population 

estimates (www.quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states). 

Table 4.4

Number of U.S. Households Using Pesticides

by Pesticide Type

Major Pesticide Producers 12

Other Pesticide Producers 100

Major Pesticide Formulators 120–150

Other Pesticide Formulators 1,550 

Major Distributors and 

Establishments 150–250

Other Distributors and 

Establishments 13,250 

Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data.

Table 4.1 

Number of U.S. Pesticide Producers, 

Formulators, and Distributors

Exterminating and Pest Control Firms 25,600 

Private1 Certified Applicators 538,053 

Commercial2 Certified Applicators 399,044

Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data and 2007 

EPA data on the number of certified private and commercial pesticide 

applicators. 

1. Private certified applicators refers primarily to individual farmers. 

2. Commercial certified applicators refers to professional 

pesticide applicators.

Table 4.2

Number of Exterminating and Pest Control 

Firms and Number of Certified Applicators 

Source: 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture 

(www.agcensus.usda.gov). 

Page 20—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 4. Producers and Users 
5. Historical Data 

5.1 Annual Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States: 1988–2007

 Tables 5.1 through 5.4 and corresponding figures summarize annual user expenditures on pesticides 

since 1988. Table 5.1 summarizes user expenditures on pesticides in all markets combined, while Tables 5.2, 

5.3, and 5.4 and corresponding figures summarize user expenditures in the agricultural, industry/commercial/

government, and home and garden markets, respectively. In each market, user expenditures on pesticides have 

increased in total and by type since 1988, although the total amount has fluctuated from year to year. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 21

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 
Figure 5.1 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates 

All Market Sectors 

Page 22—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.1 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates 

All Market Sectors 

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Data on pesticide expenditures are reported in nominal terms. 

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

* Includes fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

See Table 2.3. 

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/

PGR Insecticides Fungicides and Other* Total Herbicides/ PGR Insecticides Total Fungicides and Other* 

1988 4,121 1,964 1,190 7,275 1998 6,853 2,872 1,691 11,416 

1989 4,305 1,978 1,141 7,424 1999 6,368 3,046 1,741 11,155 

1990 4,473 2,083 1,171 7,727 2000 6,365 3,129 1,671 11,165 

1991 4,682 2,139 1,223 8,044 2001 6,410 3,124 1,556 11,090 

1992 5,004 2,198 1,183 8,385 2002 6,250 3,355 1,566 11,171 

1993 5,094 2,479 1,259 8,832 2003 6,240 3,515 1,670 11,425 

1994 5,944 2,722 1,408 10,074 2004 6,166 3,874 1,865 11,905 

1995 6,276 3,017 1,488 10,781 2005 5,979 4,014 1,984 11,977 

1996 6,599 2,849 1,521 10,969 2006 5,673 4,091 2,020 11,784 

1997 6,846 2,957 1,528 11,331 2007 5,856 4,337 2,261 12,454 

Fungicides & Other

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year Million of Dollars
Figure 5.2 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates 

Agricultural Market Sector 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 23

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.2 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates 

Agricultural Market Sector 

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Data on pesticide expenditures are reported in nominal terms. For the years 1988-1990 

and 1995, USDA national estimates of farm expenditures on agricultural pesticides, which include pesticide application costs, are lower than EPA’s estimates, which do 

not include pesticide application costs. Data are not available to reconcile these data inconsistencies. 

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

* Includes fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

See Table 2.3. 

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/

PGR Insecticides Fungicides and Other* Total Herbicides/ PGR Insecticides Total Fungicides and Other* 

1988 3,080 1,010 775 4,865 1998 5,632 1,427 1,209 8,268 

1989 3,255 978 800 5,033 1999 5,012 1,370 1,243 7,625 

1990 3,463 1,067 842 5,372 2000 5,007 1,411 1,194 7,612 

1991 3,644 687 884 5,215 2001 4,987 1,326 1,091 7,404 

1992 3,915 1,058 829 5,802 2002 4,808 1,470 1,069 7,347 

1993 3,987 1,123 895 6,005 2003 4,784 1,434 1,162 7,380 

1994 4,808 1,293 1,036 7,137 2004 4,645 1,750 1,301 7,696 

1995 5,112 1,607 1,107 7,826 2005 4,431 1,829 1,410 7,670 

1996 5,399 1,480 1,128 8,007 2006 4,077 1,830 1,432 7,339 

1997 5,610 1,551 1,124 8,285 2007 4,211 1,999 1,659 7,869 

Fungicides & Other

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year Million of dollars
Figure 5.3 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

Page 24—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.3 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Data on pesticide expenditures are reported in nominal terms. 

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

* Includes fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

See Table 2.3. 

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/

PGR Insecticides Fungicides and Other* Total Herbicides/ PGR Insecticides Total Fungicides and Other* 

1988 600 394 240 1,234 1998 728 425 292 1,445 

1989 630 317 180 1,127 1999 794 463 289 1,546 

1990 593 307 169 1,069 2000 762 468 255 1,485 

1991 616 328 176 1,120 2001 792 510 233 1,535 

1992 648 378 186 1,212 2002 802 546 255 1,603 

1993 660 406 191 1,257 2003 807 688 257 1,752 

1994 679 533 197 1,409 2004 847 675 304 1,826 

1995 700 527 202 1,429 2005 850 679 306 1,835 

1996 721 458 208 1,387 2006 873 694 311 1,878 

1997 743 386 214 1,343 2007 896 709 316 1,921 

Fungicides & Other

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

Million of Dollars
Figure 5.4

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Home and Garden Market Sector

Fungicides and Others

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 25

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data

Table 5.4

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the United States by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Home and Garden Market Sector

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. Data on pesticide expenditures are reported in nominal terms. 

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

* Includes fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil).

See Table 2.3.

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars)

Year

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars)

Herbicides/

PGR Insecticides Fungicidesand Other* Total Herbicides/PGR Insecticides Total Fungicides and Other*

1988 441 601 175 1,217 1998 493 1,020 190 1,703

1989 420 683 161 1,264 1999 562 1,213 209 1,984

1990 417 710 160 1,287 2000 596 1,250 222 2,068

1991 423 724 162 1,309 2001 631 1,288 232 2,151

1992 441 762 168 1,371 2002 640 1,339 242 2,221

1993 446 870 174 1,490 2003 649 1,393 251 2,293

1994 456 895 175 1,526 2004 674 1,449 260 2,383

1995 465 883 179 1,527 2005 698 1,506 268 2,472

1996 479 910 185 1,574 2006 723 1,567 277 2,567

1997 493 1,020 190 1,703 2007 749 1,629 286 2,664

Fungicides & Other

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year Million of Dollars
5.2 Annual Amount of Pesticides Used in the United States: 1988–2007

 Tables 5.5 through 5.8 and corresponding figures summarize the annual amount of pesticides used since 

1988. Table 5.5 summarizes the amount of pesticides used in all markets combined, while Tables 5.6, 5.7, and 

5.8 and corresponding figures summarize the amount of pesticides used in the agricultural, industry/commercial/

government, and home and garden markets, respectively. 

Page 26—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 
Fungicides

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 27

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data

Table 5.5

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

All Market Sectors

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides. See Table 3.4.

2. ―Other‖ includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). See Table 3.11.

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Herbicides/

PGR

InsecticidesFungicides Total

Herbicides/

PGR

Insecticides Total Fungicides Other Other 2

Conv1 Other Other 2Conv1

1988 557 132 99 137 266 1,191 1998 555 103 86 168 294 1,206

1989 567 123 98 154 251 1,193 1999 534 126 79 173 332 1,244

1990 564 121 91 173 252 1,201 2000 542 122 74 188 308 1,234

1991 546 114 86 182 226 1,154 2001 553 105 73 157 315 1,203

1992 554 116 81 189 246 1,186 2002 527 130 71 157 321 1,206

1993 527 115 80 192 248 1,162 2003 527 115 76 150 335 1,203

1994 583 124 79 199 244 1,229 2004 521 114 75 175 325 1,210

1995 556 125 77 203 249 1,210 2005 513 104 78 149 308 1,152

1996 578 116 79 222 234 1,229 2006 498 99 73 151 306 1,127

1997 568 112 81 197 270 1,228 2007 531 93 70 163 276 1,133

Other

Other Conventional

Fungicides

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Million of Pounds

Year

Figure 5.5

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States by Pesticide Type, 

1988–2007 Estimates

All Market Sectors
Figure 5.6

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Agricultural Market Sector

Page 28—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data

Table 5.6

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Agricultural Market Sector

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides. See Table 3.4.

2. ―Other‖ includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). See Table 3.11.

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Herbicides/

PGR

InsecticidesFungicides Total

Herbicides/

PGR

Insecticides Total Fungicides Other Other 2

Conv1 Other Other 2Conv1

1988 450 91 54 95 177 867 1998 465 69 54 136 212 936

1989 460 85 54 113 161 873 1999 428 93 45 140 250 956

1990 455 82 50 133 164 884 2000 432 90 44 156 226 948

1991 440 77 47 144 140 848 2001 433 73 42 127 232 907

1992 450 78 45 150 161 884 2002 417 97 40 127 238 919

1993 425 72 47 154 166 864 2003 426 80 43 120 252 921

1994 485 80 48 163 163 939 2004 425 82 43 145 242 937

1995 461 85 49 170 168 933 2005 421 73 47 119 225 885

1996 481 81 51 190 152 955 2006 407 69 46 121 223 866

1997 470 79 53 165 188 955 2007 442 65 44 133 193 877

Other

Other Conventional

Fungicides

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Million of Pounds

Year
Figure 5.7

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector

Fungicides

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 29

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data

Table 5.7

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides. See Table 3.4.

2. ―Other‖ includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). See Table 3.11.

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Herbicides/

PGR

InsecticidesFungicides Total

Herbicides/

PGR

Insecticides Total Fungicides Other Other 2

Conv1 Other Other 2Conv1

1988 64 27 32 39 22 184 1998 41 21 24 30 22 138

1989 63 27 31 38 22 181 1999 52 19 24 31 22 148

1990 63 27 31 38 22 181 2000 48 17 19 30 22 136

1991 60 26 30 37 21 174 2001 49 15 19 28 22 133

1992 58 27 28 36 21 170 2002 48 14 20 28 22 132

1993 56 30 25 36 20 167 2003 48 14 22 28 22 134

1994 52 30 23 34 20 159 2004 45 13 22 28 22 130

1995 48 28 20 31 22 149 2005 44 14 22 28 22 130

1996 49 24 20 30 22 145 2006 45 14 20 28 22 129

1997 49 20 20 30 22 141 2007 46 14 19 28 22 129

Other

Other Conventional

Fungicides

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

100

120

140

160

180

200

1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 Millions of Pounds

Year
Other

Other Conventional

Fungicides

Insecticides

Herbicides

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

100

120

140

160

180

1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 Millions of Pounds

Year

Figure 5.8

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Home and Garden Market Sector

Page 30—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data

Table 5.8

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States 

by Pesticide Type, 1988–2007 Estimates

Home and Garden Market Sector

Note: Excludes wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides. See Table 3.4.

2. ―Other‖ includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). See Table 3.11.

3. The previous estimate of herbicide and PGR use for 2001 was revised in the current report to based on new data.

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Year

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient

Herbicides/

PGR

InsecticidesFungicides Total

Herbicides/

PGR

Insecticides Total Fungicides Other Other 2

Conv1 Other Other 2Conv1

1988 43 13 13 3 67 139 1998 49 13 8 2 60 132

1989 44 12 13 2 68 139 1999 54 14 10 2 60 140

1990 46 12 10 2 66 136 2000 62 15 11 2 60 150

1991 46 12 9 134 20013 2 65 62 17 12 2 61 154

1992 46 12 8 2 64 132 2002 62 19 11 2 61 155

1993 46 13 8 2 62 131 2003 53 21 11 2 61 148

1994 46 13 8 2 61 130 2004 51 19 10 2 61 143

1995 47 12 8 2 59 128 2005 48 17 9 2 61 137

1996 48 12 8 2 60 130 2006 46 16 7 2 61 132

1997 49 13 8 2 60 132 2007 43 14 7 2 61 127
Year

Total U.S. Agricultural Sector Non-Agricultural Sector 

Million Pounds Million Pounds % of total Million Pounds

1970 760 499 66 261

1971 793 528 67 265

1972 843 575 68 268

1973 882 607 69 275

1974 964 688 71 276

1975 1,013 729 72 284

1976 1,041 753 72 288

1977 1,084 794 73 290

1978 1,106 813 74 293

1979 1,144 843 74 301

1980 1,121 826 74 295

1981 1,118 831 74 287

1982 1,084 804 74 280

1983 1,021 745 73 276

1984 1,061 794 75 267

1985 1,020 767 75 253

1986 988 739 75 249

1987 906 666 74 240

1988 925 690 75 235

1989 942 712 76 230

1990 949 720 76 229

1991 928 708 76 220

1992 940 723 77 217

1993 914 698 76 216

1994 984 776 79 208

1995 961 765 80 196

1996 996 803 81 193

1997 958 767 80 191

1998 912 724 79 188

1999 912 706 77 206

2000 926 722 78 204

2001 888 675 76 213

2002 885 681 77 204

2003 868 669 77 199

2004 885 695 79 190

2005 844 660 78 184

2006 821 643 78 178

2007 857 684 80 173

Note: Conventional pesticides only, excluding sulfur, petroleum oil, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents), 

wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on USDA/NASS (www.nass.usda.gov) and EPA proprietary data. 

Table 5.9

Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the United States

Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sector Shares, 1970–2007

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 31

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data
6. Glossary 

ACTIVE INGREDIENT (a.i.): The chemical or substance component of a pesticide product intended to kill, repel, 

attract, mitigate, or control a pest, or that acts as a plant growth regulator, desiccant, or nitrogen stabilizer. The 

remainder of a formulated pesticide product consists of one or more ―inert ingredients‖ (e.g., water, solvents, 

emulsifiers, surfactants, clay, and propellants), which are there for reasons other than pesticidal activity. 

AGRICULTURAL SECTOR (OR MARKET): Pesticides applied by owner/operators and custom/commercial 

applicators to farms and facilities involved in the production of raw agricultural commodities, principally food, 

fiber, and tobacco; includes non-crop and post-harvest use as well as crop and field applications. 

CERTIFIED APPLICATOR: A person who is authorized to apply ―restricted-use‖ pesticides as a result of meeting 

requirements for certification under FIFRA-mandated programs. Applicator certification programs are conducted 

by states, territories, and tribes in accordance with national standards set by EPA. ―Restricted-use pesticides‖ may 

be used only by or under the direct supervision of specially trained and certified applicators. 

COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR: A person applying pesticides as part of a business, applying pesticides for hire, 

or applying pesticides as part of his or her job with another (not for hire) type of business, organization, or agency. 

Commercial applicators often are certified, but need to be so only if they apply restricted-use pesticides. 

CONVENTIONAL PESTICIDES: Pesticides that are chemicals or other substances developed and produced primarily or only for use as pesticides. An example is 2,4-D, which was developed and used almost exclusively as a 

pesticide. Conventional pesticides also include biological and biochemical pesticides, e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis. 

ECONOMIC SECTORS (OR MARKETS): In this report, estimates of quantities used and user expenditures for 

pesticides are broken out separately for the three general economic user sectors (or markets) as follows: agriculture, industrial/commercial/governmental, and home and garden. These three sectors/markets are defined elsewhere in this glossary. 

FDA: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is 

involved in regulation of pesticides in the United States, particularly in the enforcement of tolerances in food and 

feed products. 

FFDCA: Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the law that controls pesticide residues in food and feed. 

FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the law that generally controls pesticide sale 

and use. 

FQPA: The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 amended the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). 

HOME AND GARDEN SECTOR (OR MARKET): Involves pesticides applied by homeowners to homes and 

gardens, including lawns and single- and multiple-unit housing. Does not include pesticides for home and garden 

applications by professional applicators. 

INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL/GOVERNMENTAL USER SECTOR (OR MARKET): Involves pesticides applied by professional applicators (by owners/operators/employees and custom/commercial applicators) to industrial, commercial, and governmental facilities, buildings, sites, and land, plus custom/commercial applications to 

homes and gardens, including lawns. May also be referred to as the ―professional market‖ for pesticides. 

NON-AGRICULTURAL SECTORS: General term referring to a combination of the home and garden and industrial/commercial/governmental sectors. 

OTHER PESTICIDES: Chemicals registered as pesticides but that are produced and marketed mostly for other 

purposes (i.e., multi-use chemicals). Notable examples are sulfur, petroleum products (e.g., kerosene, oils, and 

distillates), salt, and sulfuric acid. 

Page 32—2006 and 2007 Market Estimates 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6. Glossary 
PESTICIDE: May be used to refer to an active ingredient (as defined above) or formulated pesticide product 

registered under FIFRA. 

PESTICIDE USAGE: Refers to actual applications of pesticides, generally in terms of quantity applied or units 

treated. 

PRIVATE APPLICATOR: A category of applicator certification for farmers and/or employees, such that they 

can legally apply restricted-use pesticides or supervise others doing so who are not certified. 

PRODUCER LEVEL: Data covering companies that manufacture and formulate pesticides. 

PROFESSIONAL MARKET: Sales of pesticides for application to industrial/commercial/governmental sector 

and to homes and gardens, by certified/commercial applicators. 

PROPRIETARY DATA: Pesticide industry marketing research data that EPA purchases from private data 

research companies. These data are for EPA use only and cannot be divulged without vendor consent. 

Companies include GfK Kynetec, and Kline & Company, Inc. 

SPECIALTY BIOCIDES: This report provides estimates for end uses as follows: swimming pools, spas, and 

industrial water treatment (excluding chlorine/hypochlorites, which are reported separately); disinfectants and 

sanitizers (including industrial/institutional applications and household cleaning products); and other specialty 

biocides (including biocides for adhesives and sealants, leather, synthetic latex polymers, metalworking fluids, 

paints and coatings, petroleum products, plastics, mineral slurries, and textiles). These categories of end use are 

covered by FIFRA. Other end uses of specialty biocides (e.g., hospital/medical antiseptics, food/feed 

preservatives, cosmetics/toiletries) are regulated by the FDA under FFDCA and are not covered in this report. 

TOLERANCE: The maximum amount of a pesticide allowable in a food or feed product before it is considered 

adulterated, usually specified in parts per million. 

USDA/FAS: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service. Publicly available data on U.S. 

agricultural imports and exports (www.fas.usda.gov). 

USDA NASS: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Publicly available 

data on U.S. agricultural pesticide use (www.nass.usda.gov). 

USER LEVEL: Data covering persons or businesses that purchase and apply pesticides, such as farmers, 

commercial pesticide applicators, and homeowners. 

WOOD PRESERVATIVES: Pesticide active ingredients used in treatment of wood to protect it from insects, 

fungi, and other pests. This report presents total use of wood preservative chemicals in industrial plants, the bulk 

of which is for pressure treatment. The major categories of pesticide chemicals included in this report as wood 

preservatives are waterborne preservatives (mainly chromated copper arsenic), oilborne preservatives (e.g., 

copper naphthenate and pentachlorophenol), creosote, creosote-coal tar, and creosote petroleum. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 33

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6. Glossary 
United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (7503P) 

EPA 733-R-11-001

www.epa.gov/pesticides 

January 2011