Pesticides Industry

Sales and Usage 

2000 and 2001 

Market Estimates 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage 

2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 

By 

Timothy Kiely 

David Donaldson 

Arthur Grube, Ph.D. 

Biological and Economic Analysis Division 

Office of Pesticide Programs 

Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Washington, DC 20460 

May 2004 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acknowledgments 

Acknowledgments 

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

• Allen Jennings, United States Department of Agriculture; 

• Chuck Benbrook, Benbrook Consulting Services; 

• Susan Kegley, Pesticide Action Network, North America; 

• George Farnsworth and Gary Spolarich, California Department of Pesticide Regulation; 

• Greg Malcolm, Doane Marketing Research, Inc.; 

• Dennis Fugate, Kline & Co., Inc.; 

• Leonard Gianessi, CropLife Foundation; 

• Sarah Hoffman, United States Department of Agriculture; and 

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviewers. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page i 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 

Contents 

Sections 

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

2. 2000 and 2001 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 Pesticide Expenditures in the U.S.: Users..............................................................................................................Page 6 

2.4 Pesticide and Farm Expenditures in the U.S.......................................................................................................... Page 7 

3. 2000 and 2001 Usage................................................................................................................................................. Page 8 

3.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Amount Used................................................................................................................ Page 8 

3.2 Pesticide Supply in the U.S.: Producer Level....................................................................................................... Page 9 

3.3 Pesticide Amount Used in the U.S.: Total............................................................................................................. Page 10 

3.4 Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S.: 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 U.S...................................................................................Page 16 

3.9 Pesticide Amount Used in the U.S.: Other.............................................................................................................Page 18 

3.10 Pesticide Amount Used in the U.S.: Specialty Biocides and Chlorine/Hypochlorites........................................ Page 19 

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

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

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

5.1 Annual Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.: 1982 - 2001................................................................................ Page 21 

5.2 Annual Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S.: 1982 - 2001................................................................................Page 26 

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

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page iii 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 

Tables 

2. 2000 and 2001 Sales 

Table 2.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level by Pesticide Type, 2000 and 2001 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 U.S. by Pesticide Type and Market Sector,

2000 and 2001 Estimates...........................................................................................................................Page 6 

Table 2.4 Farm Production Expenditures in the U.S................................................................................................. Page 7 

3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

Table 3.1 World and U.S. Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient at User Level

by Pesticide Type, 2000 and 2001 Estimates............................................................................................ Page 8 

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

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

Table 3.3 Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Group, 2000 and 2001 Estimates............................Page 10 

Table 3.4 Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2000 and 2001 Estimates.............................................................. Page 12 

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

Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sector Shares, 2000 and 2001 Estimates.............................. Page 13 

Table 3.6 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Agricultural Market Sector, 2001, 1999, 1997, and 1987 Estimates.........................................................Page 14 

Table 3.7 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Home and Garden Market Sector, 2001 and 1999 Estimates....................................................................Page 15 

Table 3.8 Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector, 2001 and 1999 Estimates..........................................Page 15 

Table 3.9 Amount of Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients Used in the U.S.,

All Market Sectors, 1980 – 2001 Estimates............................................................................................... Page 16 

Table 3.10 Most Commonly Used Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients,

All Market Sectors, 2001 and 1999 Estimates...........................................................................................Page 17 

Table 3.11 Other Pesticides Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2000 and 2001 Estimates....... Page 18 

Table 3.12 Specialty Biocides Used in the U.S. by End Use Market, 2000 and 2001 Estimates................................ Page 19 

Table 3.13 Chlorine/Hypochlorites Used in the U.S. by End Use Market, 2000 and 2001 Estimates........................Page 19 

Page iv—2000 and 2001 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 Land in Farms, Land Harvested, Number of Farms, and Farms Using Pesticides....................................Page 20 

Table 4.3 Number of Commercial Pest Control Firms and Number of Certified Applicators.................................. 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 U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, All Market Sectors................................................................ Page 22 

Table 5.2 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector...................................................Page 23 

Table 5.3 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector .............. Page 24 

Table 5.4 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector......................................... Page 25 

Table 5.5 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, All Market Sectors................................................................ Page 27 

Table 5.6 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector...................................................Page 28

Table 5.7 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector.............. Page 29 

Table 5.8 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector......................................... Page 30 

Table 5.9 Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S.

Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sector Shares, 1964 – 2001............................................... Page 31 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page v 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contents 

Figures 

2. 2000 and 2001 Sales 

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

by Pesticide Type, 2001 Estimates.......................................................................................................... Page 5 

 Figure 2.2 User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2001 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, 2001 Estimates.......................................................................................................... Page 9 

 Figure 3.2 Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S.

by Pesticide Group, 2001 Estimates....................................................................................................... Page 11 

 Figure 3.3 Amount of Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2001 Estimates............................................................................ Page 13 

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

the U.S. in All Market Sectors, 1980 – 2001...........................................................................................Page 17 

5. Historical Data

 Figure 5.1 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, All Market Sectors..............................................................Page 22 

 Figure 5.2 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector................................................. Page 23 

 Figure 5.3 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector............. Page 24 

 Figure 5.4 Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector....................................... Page 25 

 Figure 5.5 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, All Market Sectors..............................................................Page 27 

 Figure 5.6 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Agricultural Market Sector................................................. Page 28 

 Figure 5.7 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector............. Page 29 

 Figure 5.8 Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type, 1982 – 2001 Estimates, Home and Garden Market Sector....................................... Page 30 

Page vi—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1. Introduction 

1. Introduction 

Purpose of Report 

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

and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in cooperation with the 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 available information 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 to 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 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 proprietary 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 Pesticide Data Center in 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 market sector, which account for a majority of 

the use of conventional pesticides, and in non-agricultural market sectors. The Agency uses three national 

database services for the agricultural sector, including one from the USDA, and a number of more specific data 

sources. Similar data sources cover the non-agricultural sectors. EPA also uses proprietary data sources, with 

vendor permission, to estimate agricultural and non-agricultural market sectors. These proprietary data sources, 

produced by well-known organizations, also serve pesticide registrants and other private sector firms analyzing 

the U.S. pesticide market. 

Overview of Contents/Scope of Report 

This report profiles the U.S. pesticide industry for the years 2000 and 2001. Data, estimated using 

several different parameters (e.g., pesticide type, pesticide group, market sector), 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. The report includes graphical representations of the data 

where useful. Although most of the information covers the years 2000 and 2001, this report also includes a 

historical section. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 1 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1. Introduction 

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

expenditures in 2000 and 2001, and Section 3 summarizes U.S. and world pesticide amounts used in 2000 and 

2001. Section 4 presents background information on pesticide market sectors. Finally, Section 5 presents 

historical data summarizing pesticide expenditures and estimates of amount used since 1982. 

The writing of the 2002 and 2003 pesticides industry sales and usage report is scheduled to begin once 

all of the supporting pesticide sales and usage data for 2003 are published (Fall 2004). If you have questions 

regarding this report or need further information, please contact the authors at the following address: 

Biological and Economic Analysis Division

 Office of Pesticide Programs (7503C) 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Ariel Rios Building

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

 Washington, DC 20460

You may also contact the authors by e-mail or (telephone): kiely.timothy@epa.gov (703-308-8112), 

donaldson.david@epa.gov (703-308-9546), and grube.arthur@epa.gov (703-308-8095). 

Page 2—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

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Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 3 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2000 and 2001 Sales 

2. 2000 and 2001 Sales 

2.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures 

World pesticide expenditures totaled more than $32.5 billion in 2000 and nearly $32.0 billion in 2001 

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

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

expenditures were down in 2001 due to decreased spending on all pesticide types. 

U.S. pesticide expenditures totaled more than $11 billion in 2000 and 2001, in proportions similar to 

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

Figure 2.1). U.S. expenditures accounted for more than 33% of total world expenditures on pesticides, more 

than 40% of world expenditures on herbicides, more than 33% of world expenditures on insecticides, and more 

than 10% and 25% of world expenditures on fungicides and other pesticides, respectively.2 The Agency based 

its estimates of world and U.S. pesticide expenditures on the estimated pesticide expenditures and estimated 

changes in pesticide expenditures by type derived from public and proprietary EPA databases. See Section 2.3 

for a more detailed look at U.S. expenditures on pesticides in 2000 and 2001. 

Table 2.1 

World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level 

by Pesticide Type, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

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

Type Mil $ % Mil $ % of World Market 

2000 

Herbicides1 14,319 44 6,365 57 44 

Insecticides2 9,102 28 3,129 28 34 

Fungicides2 6,384 19 860 8 13 

Other3 2,964 9 811 7 27 

Total 32,769 100 11,165 100 34 

2001 

Herbicides1 14,118 44 6,410 58 45 

Insecticides2 8,763 28 3,124 28 36 

Fungicides2 6,027 19 835 8 14 

Other3 2,848 9 721 7 25 

Total 31,756 100 11,090 100 35 

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

hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, Cropnosis Limited data, and EPA proprietary data. 

1. “Herbicides” include herbicides and plant growth regulators. 

2. “Insecticides” and “fungicides” exclude sulfur and petroleum oil. 

3. “Other” includes nematicides, fumigants, rodenticides, molluscicides, aquatic and fish/bird pesticides, other 

miscellaneous conventional pesticides, plus other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

Page 4—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2000 and 2001 Sales 

Figure 2.1 

World and U.S. Pesticide Expenditures at User Level 

by Pesticide Type, 2001 Estimates 

Millions of Dollars 40,000 

32,000 

24,000 

16,000 

8,000 

0 

Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Other Total 

World Market 

U.S. Market 

Pesticide Type 

2.2 Value of U.S. Pesticides: Producer Level 

Table 2.2 summarizes the 2000 and 2001 average U.S. value of pesticides at the producer level, including production, import, export, and supply (total and net). Pesticide sales related to U.S. production and consumption of pesticides comprised $9.3 billion of domestic production, $1.0 billion of imports, $1.6 billion of 

exports, and $8.7 billion of net supply at the producer level. 

Table 2.2 

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

at Producer Level 

Category Annual Sales 

(Billions of Dollars) 

Average of 2000 and 2001 

Production 9.3 

Imports 1.0 

Total Supply 10.3 

Exports 1.6 

Net Supply 8.7 

Note: Excludes industrial 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 Croplife America annual surveys, USDA Foreign Agricultural 

Service’s Trade Internet System (http://www.fas.usda.gov/ustrade), and EPA proprietary data. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 5 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2000 and 2001 Sales 

2.3 Pesticide Expenditures in the U.S.: Users 

U.S. expenditures at the user level for conventional and other pesticides totaled more than $11 billion in 

both 2000 and 2001 (see Table 2.3). The conventional and other pesticides included in the estimates are herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, sulfur, petroleum oil, and others. The estimates exclude 

expenditures on specialty biocides, wood preservatives, and chlorine/hypochlorites. 

Reductions in spending in the agricultural sector on all pesticide types more than offset increases in 

spending in the non-agricultural sectors (industry/commercial/government, home and garden) in 2001, resulting 

in a decline in total 2001 expenditures. Expenditures in the agriculture sector accounted for more than twothirds of total expenditures in both years. Herbicide expenditures dominated in all sectors except the home and 

garden sector, where insecticides comprised nearly 60% of all expenditures (see Figure 2.2). The estimated expenditures rely on the estimated changes in pesticide expenditures by sector and type provided in public and proprietary EPA databases. 

Table 2.3 

User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2000 and 2001 Estimates

Year Herbicides / Plant 

Growth Regulators 

Insecticides / 

Miticides 

Fungicides Other1 Total 

Market Sector Mil $ % Mil $ % Mil $ % Mil $ % Mil $ % 

2000 

Agriculture 5,007 79 1,411 45 647 75 547 67 7,612 68 

Ind/Comm/Gov 762 12 468 15 172 20 83 10 1,485 13 

Home & Garden 596 9 1,250 40 41 5 181 22 2,068 19 

Total 6,365 100 3,129 100 860 100 811 100 11,165 100 

2001 

Agriculture 4,987 78 1,326 42 615 74 476 66 7,404 67 

Ind/Comm/Gov 792 12 510 16 172 21 61 8 1,535 14 

Home & Garden 631 10 1,288 41 48 6 184 26 2,151 19 

Total 6,410 100 3,124 100 835 100 721 100 11,090 100 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys and EPA proprietary data. 

See Tables 5.1 to 5.4 for 1982-2001 estimates.

1. “Other” includes nematicides, fumigants, rodenticides, molluscicides, aquatic and fish/bird pesticides, other miscellaneous conventional pesticides, plus other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

Page 6—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2. 2000 and 2001 Sales Millions of Dollars 

Figure 2.2 

User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2001 Estimates 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Other 

` 

Pesticide Type 

2.4 Pesticide and Farm 

Expenditures in the U.S. 

Pesticides are an important component of 

total farm expenditures and are integral to farm 

budgeting and management. U.S. pesticide expenditures in 2000 and 2001 totaled 3.9% and 3.7% of total 

farm expenditures, respectively (see Table 2.4). Total 

farm expenditures increased slightly in 2001 while 

pesticide expenditures declined. Total farm expenditures are based on USDA estimates and pesticide expenditure estimates from Table 2.3. 

Table 2.4 

Farm Production Expenditures 

in the U.S. 

Expenditure 

(Billion $) 2000 2001 

Pesticides $7.6 $7.4 

Total $193.6 $200.8 

Pesticides as % 

of Total 3.9% 3.7% 

Source: EPA Estimates (Table 2.3); USDA/ 

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 

(http://www.usda.gov/nass). 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 7 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3.1 World and U.S. Pesticide Amount Used 

World pesticide amount used exceeded 5.0 billion pounds in 2000 and 2001 (see Table 3.1). Herbicides 

accounted for the largest portion of total use, followed by other pesticide use, insecticide use, and fungicide 

use. Total world pesticide amount used decreased in 2001 for all pesticide types. 

U.S. pesticide amount used in both 2000 and 2001 exceeded 1.2 billion pounds, in proportions similar 

to those of world pesticide use, with a larger portion of total U.S. pesticide use on herbicides and other pesticides 

(see Figure 3.1). U.S. pesticide amount used accounted for more than 20% of total world pesticide amount used, 

more than 25% of world herbicide amount used, less than 10% of world insecticide amount used, and approximately 15% and 30% of world fungicides and other pesticide amount used, respectively. The estimates of world 

and U.S. pesticide use rely on estimated pesticide amount used and estimated changes in pesticide amount used 

by type derived from public and proprietary EPA databases. Subsequent sections provide a more detailed analysis of U.S. pesticide amount used in 2000 and 2001. 

Table 3.1 

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

by Pesticide Type, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

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

Type Mil lbs of World Market 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% 

2000 

Herbicides1 1,944 36 542 44 28 

Insecticides 1,355 25 122 10 9 

Fungicides 516 10 74 6 14 

Other2 1,536 29 496 40 32 

Total 5,351 100 1,234 100 23 

2001 

Herbicides1 1,870 37 553 46 30 

Insecticides 1,232 24 105 9 9 

Fungicides 475 9 73 6 15 

Other2 1,469 29 472 39 32 

Total 5,046 100 1,203 100 24 

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

hypochlorites. The abbreviation “a.i.” stands for active ingredient. 

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, Cropnosis Limited data, USDA/NASS data (http://

www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA proprietary data. 

1. “Herbicides” include herbicides and plant growth regulators. 

2. “Other” includes nematicides, fumigants, rodenticides, molluscicides, aquatic and fish/bird pesticides, other 

miscellaneous conventional pesticides, plus other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfur and petroleum oil). 

Page 8—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

Figure 3.1 

Millions of Pounds 

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

by Pesticide Type, 2001 Estimates 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

World Market 

U.S. Market 

Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Other Total 

Pesticide Type 

3.2 Pesticide Supply in the U.S.: Producer Level 

Table 3.2 summarizes the 2000 and 2001 average U.S. distribution of pesticides at the producer level, 

including amount of production, amount of imports, amount of exports, and amount of supply (total and net). 

Pesticide amount related to U.S. pesticide production and consumption comprised 1.6 billion pounds of domestic 

production, 0.1 billion pounds of imports, 0.4 billion pounds of exports, and 1.3 billion pounds of net supply. 

Table 3.2 

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

in Amount of Active Ingredient Produced at the Producer Level 

Category Active Ingredient 

(Billions of Pounds) 

Average of 2000 and 2001 

Production 1.6 

Imports 0.1 

Total Supply 1.7 

Exports 0.4 

Net Supply 1.3 

Note: Excludes industrial 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 Croplife America annual surveys, USDA Foreign Agricultural 

Service’s Trade Internet System (http://www.fas.usda.gov/ustrade), and EPA proprietary data. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 9 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3.3 Pesticide Amount Used in the U.S.: Total 

Total pesticide amount used in the United States approximated 5 billion pounds in both 2000 and 2001 

(see Table 3.3). This estimate includes the conventional, other, wood preservative, specialty biocide, and 

chlorine/hypochlorite pesticide groups. With more than 2.5 billion pounds used, chlorine/hypochlorites 

exceeded 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 2000 and 2001 appears 

in subsequent sections (see footnotes to Table 3.3 for locations). 

Table 3.3 

Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Group, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

Pesticide Group 

Total (Million Pounds) 

2000 2001 

Conventional Pesticides1 926 888 

Other Pesticides2 308 315 

Specialty Biocides3 353 363 

Chlorine/Hypochlorites4 2,532 2,609 

Wood Preservatives5 809 797 

Total 4,928 4,972 

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. See Table 3.13 (chlorine/hypochlorites) for additional details and specific source 

information. 

5. Source: American Wood Preservatives Institute (AWPI) and EPA proprietary data. 

“Wood Preservatives” include creosote, pentachlorophenol, and chromated copper arsenate 

(CCA). 

Page 10—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

Figure 3.2 

Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S. 

by Pesticide Group, 2001 Estimates 

Conventional Pesticides (18%) 

Other Pesticides (6%) 

Chlorine/Hypochlorites (52%) 

Wood Preservatives (16%) 

Specialty Biocides (7%) 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 11 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3.4 Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S.: Conventional 

Table 3.4 shows that conventional pesticide amount used in 2000 and 2001 totaled 926 and 888 million 

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

groups in the U.S. after chlorine/hypochlorites. 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, insecticides, miticides, 

fungicides, nematicides, fumigants, and others.1 The amount used in the agricultural sector accounted for the 

majority of the total amount used in both years, with the two non-agricultural sectors (industry/commercial/ 

government and home & garden) cumulatively accounting for less than 25% of the total use in each year (see 

Table 3.4). The amount used in the agriculture sector accounted for the majority of the total amount used by 

pesticide type in both years as well – more than 60% of the total amount used of each type, except for fungicides 

in 2000 (59%) and 2001 (58%). Figure 3.3 graphs the distribution of use by pesticide type and sector. 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 U.S. 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

Year Herbicides / Plant 

Growth Regulators 

Insecticides / 

Miticides 

Fungicides Nematicide / 

Fumigant 

Other 

Conventional1 

Total 

Sector Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% 

2000 

Agriculture 432 80 90 74 44 59 131 84 25 78 722 78 

Ind/Comm/Gov 48 9 17 14 19 26 24 15 6 19 114 12 

Home & Garden 62 11 15 12 11 15 1 1 1 3 90 10 

Total 542 100 122 100 74 100 156 100 32 100 926 100 

2001 

Agriculture 433 78 73 70 42 58 102 80 25 83 675 76 

Ind/Comm/Gov 49 9 15 14 19 26 24 19 4 13 111 13 

Home & Garden 71 13 17 16 12 16 1 1 1 3 102 11 

Total 553 100 105 100 73 100 127 100 30 100 888 100 

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding. Table does not cover industrial 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 Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass/), and EPA proprietary data. 

See Tables 5.5 to 5.8 for 1982-2001 estimates.

1. “Other Conventional” pesticides include rodenticides, molluscicides, aquatic and fish/bird pesticides, and other miscellaneous conventional pesticides. 

Page 12—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage Millions of Pounds 

Figure 3.3 

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

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2001 Estimates 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Herbicides/ Insecticides/ Fungicides Fumigants/ Other 

Plant Growth Miticides Nematicides 

Regulators 

Pesticide Type 

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 2000 and 2001. The agricultural sector accounts for more than 75% of the total amount of 

conventional pesticides used in both years. See Table 5.9 in the Historical Data section of this report for data 

covering the years 1964 through 2001. 

Table 3.5 

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

Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sector Shares, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

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

Mil lbs of a.i. Mil lbs of a.i. % of U.S. Mil lbs of a.i. % of U.S 

2000 926 722 78 204 22 

2001 888 675 76 213 24 

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. 

See Table 5.9 for 1964 - 2001. The abbreviation “a.i.” stands for active ingredient. 

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA

proprietary data. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 13 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

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 2001 and selected earlier years. Glyphosate was the most used active ingredient in 2001 

(between 85 million and 90 million pounds), displacing atrazine, which had been the most used active ingredient 

in agriculture for a number of years. Fifteen of the top 25 active ingredients used are herbicides; three are 

fungicides; two are insecticides; four are fumigants; and one 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 

EPA databases. 

Table 3.6 

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Agricultural Market Sector, 2001, 1999, 1997, and 1987 Estimates 

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

Active Ingredient Type 

2001 1999 1997 1987 

Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range Rank Range 

Glyphosate H 1 85-90 2 67-73 5 34-38 17 6-8 

Atrazine H 2 74-80 1 74-80 1 75-82 1 71-76 

Metam Sodium Fum 3 57-62 3 60-64 3 53-58 15 5-8 

Acetochlor H 4 30-35 4 30-35 7 31-36 NA NA 

2,4-D H 5 28-33 6 28-33 8 29-33 5 29-33 

Malathion I 6 20-25 7 28-32 NA NA NA NA 

Methyl Bromide Fum 7 20-25 5 28-33 4 38-45 NA NA 

Dichloropropene Fum 8 20-25 11 17-20 6 32-37 4 30-35 

Metolachlor-s H 9 20-24 12 16-19 NA NA NA NA 

Metolachlor H 10 15-22 8 26-30 2 63-69 3 45-50 

Pendimethalin H 11 15-19 10 17-22 9 24-28 10 10-13 

Trifluralin H 12 12-16 9 18-23 10 21-25 6 25-30 

Chlorothalonil F 13 8-11 13 9-11 15 7-10 19 5-7 

Copper Hydroxide F 14 8-10 15 8-10 13 10-13 19 5-7 

Chlorpyrifos I 15 8-10 16 8-10 14 9-13 14 6-9 

Alachlor H 16 6-9 17 7-10 12 13-16 2 55-60 

Propanil H 17 6-9 18 7-10 22 6-8 13 7-10 

Chloropicrin Fum 18 5-9 14 8-10 25 5-6 NA NA 

Dimethenamid H 19 6-8 20 6-8 20 6-9 NA NA 

Mancozeb F 20 6-8 21 6-8 17 7-10 21 4-6 

Ethephon PGR 21 5-8 24 5-6 NA NA NA NA 

EPTC H 22 5-8 19 7-9 18 7-10 8 17-21 

Simazine H 23 5-7 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

Dicamba H 24 5-7 22 6-8 16 7-10 23 4-6 

Sulfosate H 25 3-7 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

Note: List is limited to conventional pesticides and does not include sulfur and petroleum oil usage (see Table 3.11 for estimates).

H indicates herbicide; I, insecticide; Fum, fumigant; F, fungicide; and PGR, plant growth regulator. NA indicates that an estimate is not available.

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

Page 14—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

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 

ten most commonly used conventional 

pesticide active ingredients in the two 

non-agricultural sectors (home & 

garden and industry/commercial/ 

government) in both 2001 and 1999. In 

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

active ingredient, with between eight 

and eleven million pounds used in the 

home and garden sector (see Table 3.7), 

and between 16 and 18 million pounds 

used in the industry/commercial/ 

government sector (see Table 3.8). 

Seven of the top ten in the home and 

garden sector are herbicides and three 

are insecticides. Six of the top ten in 

the industry/commercial/government 

sector are herbicides, two are 

fungicides, and two are insecticides. As 

noted in Table 3.8, due to the fact that 

some applicators apply pesticide in both 

markets, there may be some usage 

reported in one market that may have 

occurred in the other. The rankings 

rely on the estimated amount used of 

conventional pesticides in the nonagricultural sector taken from EPA 

proprietary databases. 

Table 3.7 

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Home and Garden Market Sector, 2001 and 1999 Estimates 

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

Rank Rank

H 1 1 

H 2 2 

H 3 NA NA 

Diazinon I 4 5 

MCPP H 5 3 

I 6 7 

H 7 4 

I 8 9 

DCPA H 9 10 

H 10 8 

Type 

2001 1999 

 Range Range 

2,4-D 8-11 7-9 

Glyphosate 5-8 5-8 

Pendimethalin 3-6 

4-6 2-4 

4-6 3-5 

Carbaryl 2-4 2-4 

Dicamba 2-4 3-5 

Malathion 2-4 1-3 

1-3 1-3 

Benefin 1-3 1-3 

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,Ndiethyl-meta-toluamide (5 - 7 millions pounds per year). 

H indicates herbicide and I, insecticide. NA indicates that an estimate is not available.

Source: EPA proprietary data. 

Table 3.8 

Most Commonly Used Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredients, 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector, 2001 and 1999 Estimates 

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

Active Ingredient Type 

2001 1999 

Rank Range Rank Range 

2,4-D H 1 16-18 1 17-20 

Glyphosate H 2 13-15 2 11-14 

Copper Sulfate F 3 4-6 3 5-7 

Pendimethalin H 4 3-5 4 3-5 

Chlorothalanil F 5 2-4 7 2-4 

Chlorpyrifos I 6 2-4 5 3-5 

Diuron H 7 2-4 8 2-4 

MSMA H 8 2-4 6 2-4 

Triclopyr H 9 1-3 10 1-3 

Malathion I 10 1-3 9 1-3 

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. 

Source: EPA proprietary data. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 15 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3.8 Amount of Organophosphate Insecticides Used in the U.S. 

Table 3.9 shows the total amount of organophosphate insecticide used in 1980, 1985, and annually 

since 1990. The top ten active ingredients in this pesticide class include malathion, chlorpyrifos, terbufos, 

diazinon, methyl-parathion, phorate, acephate, phosmet, azinphos-methyl, and dimethoate (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 activities. For more information on the active ingredients included in 

this pesticide class and their reregistration and registration status, go to U.S. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs 

Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/. 

The amount of organophosphate insecticides used has declined nearly 45% since 1980, from an estimated 131 million pounds in 1980 to 73 million pounds in 2001 (see Figure 3.4). Since 1980, however, organophosphate use as a percent of total insecticide use has increased, from 58% in 1980 to 70% in 2001. The increase in use in 1999 was due mainly to the increased amount of malathion used as part of the USDA-sponsored 

Boll Weevil Eradication Program (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/weevil/). Malathion use in this program decreased over the last two years, resulting in a decline in total organophosphate use. 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. 

Table 3.9 

Amount of Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients Used in the U.S., 

All Market Sectors, 1980 - 2001 Estimates 

Year All Insecticides Organophosphates 

Mil lbs of a.i. Mil lbs of a.i. % of All Insecticides 

1980 228 131 58 

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 

Note: The abbreviation “a.i.” stands for active ingredient. 

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS 

(http://www.usda.gov/nass/), and EPA proprietary data. 

Page 16—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

Figure 3.4 

Total Amount of Organophosphate and All Other Insecticides Active Ingredients 

Used in the U.S. in All Market Sectors, 1980 - 2001 

0 

50 

100 

150 

200 

250 

Organophosphate Insecticide 

All Other Insecticides 

Millions of Pounds 

1980 1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 

Year 

Table 3.10 

Most Commonly Used Organophosphate Insecticide Active Ingredients, 

All Market Sectors, 2001 and 1999 Estimates 

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

Active Ingredient 

2001 1999 

Rank Range Rank Range 

Malathion 1 23-32 1 30-38 

Chlorpyrifos 2 11-16 2 13-19 

Diazinon 3 4-7 4 4-7 

Terbufos 4 3-5 3 5-7 

Acephate 5 2-3 7 2-3 

Phorate 6 2-3 6 2-3 

Methyl Parathion 7 1-3 5 2-4 

Phosmet 8 1-2 9 1-2 

Azinphos-Methyl 9 1-2 8 1-2 

Dimethoate 10 1-2 10 1-2 

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/ 

NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass/), and EPA proprietary data. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 17 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3.9 Pesticide Amount Used in the U.S.: Other 

The total amount of other pesticides used in the U.S. was more than 300 million pounds in 2000 

and 2001 (see Table 3.11). The pesticides in this group include sulfur and petroleum oil and other 

chemicals used as pesticides, such as sulfuric acid, insect repellants (e.g., DEET), moth control products 

(e.g., paradichlorobenzene), and others.1 Nearly all of the sulfur and oil used (85%) is in the agricultural sector, 

while the use of the other pesticides in this group is mainly in the agricultural and home and garden sectors 

(93%). The increase in the amount used in 2001 resulted mainly from an increase in the use of sulfur and 

petroleum oil in the agricultural sector. The amount of sulfur and petroleum oil and of the other pesticides used 

in this group in the non-agricultural sectors did not change substantially between 2000 and 2001. 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 U.S. 

by Pesticide Type and Market Sector, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

Year Sulfur & Oil Other1 Total 

Sector Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% Mil lbs 

of a.i. 

% 

2000 

Agriculture 166 85 60 53 226 73 

Ind/Comm/Gov 14 7 8 7 22 7 

Home & Garden 15 8 45 40 60 19 

Total 195 100 113 100 308 100 

2001 

Agriculture 172 86 60 53 232 74 

Ind/Comm/Gov 14 7 8 7 22 7 

Home & Garden 15 7 46 40 61 19 

Total 201 100 114 100 315 100 

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

specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites. The abbreviation “a.i.” stands for active ingredient.

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/

nass), and EPA proprietary data. 

See Tables 5.5 to 5.8 for 1982-2001 estimates.

1. “Other” includes sulfuric acid, insect repellents, zinc sulfate, moth control chemicals (e.g., Paradichlorobenzene and naphthalene), and other miscellaneous chemicals produced largely for non-pesticidal 

purposes. 

Page 18—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. 2000 and 2001 Usage 

3.10 Pesticide Amount Used in the U.S.: Specialty Biocides and 

 Chlorine/Hypochlorites 

Tables 3.12 and 3.13 show the total amount of specialty biocides and chlorine/hypochlorites by end-use 

market in the U.S. in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Specialty biocides include water treatment chemicals, 

disinfectants and sanitizers, and products for other uses, such as in adhesives and sealants, leather, etc. More 

than two-thirds of the total amount of specialty biocides comprised water treatment chemicals. Chlorine/ 

hypochlorites serve as water disinfectants, with 60% of their amount used in potable and waste water and 40% in 

recreational water. The estimates of the amount used rely on EPA proprietary databases and industry 

projections. 

Table 3.12 

Specialty Biocides Used in the U.S. 

by End Use Market, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

Table 3.13 

Chlorine/Hypochlorites Used in the U.S. 

by End Use Market, 2000 and 2001 Estimates 

Year Total 

End Use Mil lbs % 

2000 

Recreational and Industrial 237 67 

Water Treatment1 

Disinfectants and Sanitizers2 64 18 

Other Specialty Biocides3 52 15 

Total 353 100 

2001 

Recreational and Industrial 244 67 

Water Treatment1 

Disinfectants and Sanitizers2 65 18 

Other Specialty Biocides3 54 15 

Total 363 100 

Year Total 

End Use Mil lbs % 

2000 

Disinfectant of Potable and 1,520 60 

Waste Water 

Disinfectant for Recrea- 1,012 40 

tional Water 

Total 2,532 100 

2001 

Disinfectant of Potable and 1,566 60 

Waste Water 

Disinfectant for Recrea- 1,043 40 

tional Water 

Total 2,609 100 

Note: The estimated amount has not changed from 1998/1999 

due to a lack of available data. Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data. Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data. 1. “Recreational and Industrial Water Treatment” does not include 

hypochlorite or chlorine consumption, which is reported separately 

in Table 3.13. 

2. “Disinfectants and Sanitizers” includes industrial/institutional 

applications and household cleaning products. Specialty biocides 

only. Does not include hypochlorite or chlorine consumption, which 

is reported separately. 

3. “Other Specialty Biocides” includes biocides for adhesives and 

sealants, leather, synthetic latex polymers, metalworking fluids, 

paints and coatings, petroleum products, plastics, and mineral 

slurries. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 19 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 4. Producers and Users 

4. Producers and Users 

4.1 Pesticide Producers and Users 

Table 4.1 lists estimates of the number of firms that are pesticide producers, formulators, and distributors. Table 4.2 lists estimates of farm land, acres harvested, and the number of farms using pesticides and 

fertilizers. Table 4.3 lists estimates of the number of pest control firms and certified pesticide applicators. 

Table 4.4 lists estimates of the number of households using pesticides. 

Table 4.1 

Number of U.S. Pesticide Producers, 

Formulators, and Distributors

Table 4.3 

Number of Commercial Pest Control Firms 

and Number of Certified Applicators 

18 

j

Major Pesticide Producers 

Other Pesticide Producers 100 

Major Pesticide Formulators 150 - 200 

Other Pesticide Formulators 2,000 

Ma or Distributors and 

Establishments 250 - 350 

Other Distributors and 

Establishments 16,900 

Source: EPA estimates based on EPA proprietary data. 

Table 4.2 

Land in Farms, Land Harvested, Number 

of Farms, and Farms Using Pesticides 

Land in Farms (acres) 941M 

Land Harvested (acres) 311M 

Total Number of Farms 2.156M 

Total Number of Farms with Cropland 1.661M 

Total Number of Farms with Harvested 1.411M 

Cropland 

Number of Farms Using Chemicals for:

 Insects on Crops/Hay 366,000 

Nematodes 43,000

 Diseases on Crops/Orchards 112,000 

Weed/Grass/Brush 685,000 

Defoliation/Fruit Thinning 51,000

 Any or all of the above 941,000

 Any or all of the above plus fertilizer 1,325,000 

Commercial Pest Control Firms 33,100 

Private1 Certified Applicators 693,181 

Commercial2 Certified Applicators 421,730 

Source: Estimates based on 1992 EPA National Home and Garden 

Pesticide Use Survey and 2001 EPA estimates of 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 4.4 

Number of U.S. Households Using Pesticides 

Pesticide Type U.S. 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 1992 EPA National Home and 

Garden Survey and 2000 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/). 

Source: 1997 USDA Census of Agriculture (http://www.nass/ 

usda.gov/Census), 2003 USDA Agricultural Statistics (http:// 

www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/agstats/htm). M = million 

Page 20—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

5. Historical Data 

5.1 Annual Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S.: 1982 - 2001 

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

since 1982. 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 1982, although the total amount fluctuated from year to year. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 21 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.1 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

All Market Sectors 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/ 

PGR Insecticides Fungicides and Other Total Herbicides/ PGR Insecticides Fungicides 

and Other Total 

1982 3,772 2,014 540 6,326 1992 5,004 2,198 1,183 8,385 

1983 3,870 2,074 731 6,675 1993 5,094 2,479 1,259 8,832 

1984 4,488 1,809 708 7,005 1994 5,944 2,722 1,408 10,074 

1985 3,920 1,823 963 6,706 1995 6,276 3,017 1,488 10,781 

1986 3,858 1,759 967 6,584 1996 6,599 2,849 1,521 10,969 

1987 3,973 2,008 1,049 7,030 1997 6,846 2,957 1,528 11,331 

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 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys and EPA proprietary data. 

Figure 5.1 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

All Market Sectors 

0 

2,000 

4,000 

6,000 

8,000 

10,000 

12,000 

Herbicides 

Fungicides and Others 

Millions of Dollars 

and 

Insecticides 

1982

1983

1984

19851986

19871988

1989

1990

1991

19921993

1994

1995

1996

19971998

1999

20002001 

Year 

Page 22—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.2 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Agricultural Market Sector 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/ 

PGR Insecticides Fungicides and Other Total Herbicides/ PGR Insecticides Fungicides 

and Other Total 

1982 2,465 1,109 268 3,842 1992 3,915 1,058 829 5,802 

1983 2,800 1,261 450 4,511 1993 3,987 1,123 895 6,005 

1984 3,390 903 418 4,711 1994 4,808 1,293 1,036 7,137 

1985 2,900 990 615 4,505 1995 5,112 1,607 1,107 7,826 

1986 2,775 914 600 4,289 1996 5,399 1,480 1,128 8,007 

1987 2,935 1,145 650 4,730 1997 5,610 1,551 1,124 8,285 

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 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys and EPA proprietary data. 

Figure 5.2 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Agricultural Market Sector 

9,000 

8,000 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000

0

Herbicides 

Fungicides and Others 

Insecticides 

Millions of Dollars 

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001 

Year 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 23 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.3 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/ 

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

1982 852 305 142 1,299 1992 648 378 186 1,212 

1983 720 288 144 1,152 1993 660 406 191 1,257 

1984 720 365 150 1,235 1994 679 533 197 1,409 

1985 600 315 180 1,095 1995 700 527 202 1,429 

1986 642 316 192 1,150 1996 721 458 208 1,387 

1987 576 330 210 1,116 1997 743 386 214 1,343 

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 Millions of Dollars 

0 

200 

400 

600 

800 

1,000 

1,200 

1,400 

1,600 

1,800 

Herbicides 

Fungicides and Others 

Insecticides 

Figure 5.3 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys and EPA proprietary data. 

82

1

84

19

86

1987

1

89

1990

1991

1

93

19

95

1996

1

98

19

00

2001

3 

19

5 

19

8 

19

2 

19

4 

19

7 

19

8

9

99

20

98

98

99

99

19

Year 

Page 24—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.4 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Home and Garden Market Sector 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Year 

Expenditure (Millions of Dollars) 

Herbicides/ 

PGR Insecticides Fungicides and Other Total Herbicides/ PGR Insecticides Fungicides 

and Other Total 

1982 445 600 130 1,175 1992 441 762 168 1,371 

1983 350 525 137 1,012 1993 446 870 174 1,490 

1984 378 542 140 1,060 1994 456 895 175 1,526 

1985 420 518 168 1,106 1995 465 883 179 1,527 

1986 441 529 175 1,145 1996 479 910 185 1,574 

1987 462 534 189 1,185 1997 493 1,020 190 1,703 

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 

Figure 5.4 

Annual User Expenditures on Pesticides in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Home and Garden Market Sector 

Millions of Dollars 

0 

500 

1,000 

1,500 

2,000 

2,500 

Fungicides and Others 

Insecticides 

Herbicides 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys and EPA proprietary data. 

82

19 3

19 4

19 5

19 6

19 7

19

9

19 0

19 1

19 2

19 3

1994

995

996

997

998

001

8

8

8

8

8

88

198

9

9

9

9

19

999

2000

1

1

1

1

1

2

Year 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 25 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

5.2 Annual Amount of Pesticides Used in the U.S.: 1982 - 2001 

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

1982. 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. In each market, except home and garden, the amount 

of pesticides used has decreased in total since 1982, although the total amount fluctuated from year to year. 

Page 26—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.5 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

All Market Sectors 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

1982 620 198 117 149 298 1,382 1992 554 116 81 189 246 1,186 

1983 573 185 115 148 287 1,308 1993 527 115 80 192 248 1,162 

1984 634 173 109 145 284 1,345 1994 583 124 79 199 244 1,229 

1985 611 161 110 138 284 1,304 1995 556 125 77 203 249 1,210 

1986 590 151 109 138 278 1,266 1996 578 116 79 222 234 1,229 

1987 532 141 100 133 269 1,175 1997 568 112 81 197 270 1,228 

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 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA proprietary data.

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other conventional pesticides. 

2. “Other” includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). 

Figure 5.5 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

All Market Sectors 

0 

200 

400 

600 

800 

1,000 

1,200 

1,400 

1,600 

Herbicides 

Other Conventional 

Insecticides 

Other 

Millions of Pounds of AI 

Fungicides 

19821983

19841985

1986

198719881989

19901991

1992

1993

19941995

1996

1997

19981999

20002001 

Year 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 27 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.6 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Agricultural Market Sector 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

1982 503 141 59 101 207 1011 1992 450 78 45 150 161 884 

1983 455 131 59 100 196 941 1993 425 72 47 154 166 864 

1984 516 122 56 100 194 988 1994 485 80 48 163 163 939 

1985 501 113 59 94 194 961 1995 461 85 49 170 168 933 

1986 481 105 59 94 188 927 1996 481 81 51 190 152 955 

1987 425 98 52 91 180 846 1997 470 79 53 165 188 955 

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 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA proprietary data.

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other conventional pesticides. 

2. “Other” includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). 

Figure 5.6 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Agricultural Market Sector 

0 

200 

400 

600 

800 

1,000 

1,200 

Herbicides 

Other Conventional 

Other 

Millions of Pounds of AI 

Fungicides 

Insecticides 

19821983

1984

19851986

19871988

1989

1990

19911992

1993

1994

19951996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001 

Year 

Page 28—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.7 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

1982 80 33 41 45 24 223 1992 58 27 28 36 21 170 

1983 80 32 40 45 24 221 1993 56 30 25 36 20 167 

1984 78 31 38 41 24 212 1994 52 30 23 34 20 159 

1985 70 30 37 41 23 201 1995 48 28 20 31 22 149 

1986 68 29 36 41 23 197 1996 49 24 20 30 22 145 

1987 65 28 34 39 22 188 1997 49 20 20 30 22 141 

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 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA proprietary data.

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other conventional pesticides. 

2. “Other” includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). 

Figure 5.7 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Industry/Commercial/Government Market Sector 

0 

50 

100 

150 

200 

250 

Herbicides 

Insecticides 

Other 

Millions of Pounds of AI 

Fungicides 

Other Conventional 

982

198319841985

198619871988198919901991 19921993

1

19941995199619971998199920002001 

Year 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 29 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.8 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Home and Garden Market Sector 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Year 

Million Pounds of Active Ingredient 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

Herbicides/ 

PGR 

Insecticides Fungicides 

Other 

Conv1 Other2 Total 

1982 37 24 17 3 67 148 1992 46 12 8 2 64 132 

1983 38 22 16 3 67 146 1993 46 13 8 2 62 131 

1984 40 20 15 3 67 145 1994 46 13 8 2 61 130 

1985 40 18 14 3 67 142 1995 47 12 8 2 59 128 

1986 41 16 14 3 67 141 1996 48 12 8 2 60 130 

1987 42 14 14 3 67 140 1997 49 13 8 2 60 132 

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 2 65 134 2001 71 17 12 2 61 163 

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

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA proprietary data.

1. Other conventional pesticides include nematicides, fumigants, and other conventional pesticides. 

2. “Other” includes sulfur, petroleum, and other chemicals used as pesticides (e.g., sulfuric acid and insect repellents). 

Figure 5.8 

Annual Amount of Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. by Pesticide Type, 1982 - 2001 Estimates 

Home and Garden Market Sector 

0 

20 

40 

60 

80 

100 

120 

140 

160 

180 

Herbicides 

Insecticides 

Other Conventional 

Other 

Millions of Pounds of AI 

Fungicides 

1982

198319841985

19861987

1988

19891990

1991 

1992

1993199419951996

19971998

1999

20002001 

Year 

Page 30—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. Historical Data 

Table 5.9 

Conventional Pesticide Active Ingredient Used in the U.S. 

Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Market Sector Shares, 1964 - 2001 

Year 

Total U.S. Agricultural Sector Non- Agricultural Sector 

Million Pounds of Million Pounds of % of total Million Pounds of 

Active Ingredient Active Ingredient U.S. Active Ingredient 

1964 617 366 59 251 

1965 658 396 60 262 

1966 682 414 61 268 

1967 712 429 60 283 

1968 742 457 62 285 

1969 763 491 64 272 

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 1013 729 72 284 

1976 1041 753 72 288 

1977 1084 794 73 290 

1978 1106 813 74 293 

1979 1144 843 74 301 

1980 1121 826 74 295 

1981 1118 831 74 287 

1982 1084 804 74 280 

1983 1021 745 73 276 

1984 1061 794 75 267 

1985 1020 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 

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

wood preservatives, specialty biocides, and chlorine/hypochlorites.

Source: EPA estimates based on Croplife America annual surveys, USDA/NASS (http://www.usda.gov/nass), and EPA proprietary data.

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 31 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6. Glossary 

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 USER 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 a person 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 use restricted-use pesticides. 

CROPLIFE AMERICA: Formerly the American Crop Protection Association (ACPA), which publishes an annual 

pesticide industry profile (ACPA Industry Profile). The profile is a survey of pesticide sales provided by participating ACPA members. 

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

pesticide. Also includes biological and biochemical pesticides, e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis. 

ECONOMIC USER 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 & 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 U.S., particularly 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 USER 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 & garden applications by professional applicators. 

INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL/GOVERNMENTAL USER SECTOR (OR MARKET): Involves pesticides applied by professional applicators (by owner/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 “professional market” for pesticides. 

NON-AGRICULTURAL SECTORS: General term referring to a combination of home & garden and industrial/ 

commercial/governmental sectors. 

Page 32—2000 and 2001 Market Estimates 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6. Glossary 

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. 

PESTICIDE: May be used to refer to an active ingredient (as defined above) or formulated pesticide product 

registered under FIFRA. 

PESTICIDE USER EXPENDITURES: Dollar value of purchases by persons or businesses applying pesticides, 

such as farmers, commercial pesticide applicators, and homeowners. Reported numbers are nominal values for 

the years indicated (i.e., not adjusted or indexed for inflation). 

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: Refers to pesticide manufactures of registrants. 

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 market 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 Doane Marketing Research, Inc.; Kline and Company, Inc.; SRI, Inc.; Wood Mackenzie; and Mike 

Bukley, Inc. 

SAFER PESTICIDES: Pesticides designated as “safer” (or “reduced risk”) by EPA exhibit favorable 

characteristics affecting health or environmental risks, resistance management, and integrated pest management. 

Reduced-risk pesticides may be conventional pesticides posing less risk, or biopesticides with unique modes of 

action, low use volume, lower toxicity, target species specificity, or natural occurrence. 

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, metal-working fluids, 

paints and coatings, petroleum products, plastics, 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/FATUS: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Trade of U.S. Publicly available data 

on U.S. agricultural imports and exports (http://www.ers.usda.gov/db/fatus). 

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

data on U.S. agricultural pesticide use (http://www.uda.gov/nass/). 

USER LEVEL: Refers to pesticide users (i.e., growers, farmers, home owners, and professional pesticide 

Applicators). 

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 

industrial wood preservatives are water-borne preservatives (mainly chromated copper arsenic), oil-borne 

preservatives (e.g., copper naphthenate and pentachlorophenol), creosote, creosote-coal tar, and creosote 

petroleum. 

Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage Report—Page 33 


United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (7503C) 

EPA-733-R-04-001 

www.epa.gov/pesticides 

May 2004