The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) regulates pesticide sales and use. DPR’s strict oversight begins with pesticide product evaluation and registration and continues through statewide licensing of commercial applicators, dealers, consultants, and other pesticide professionals; evaluation of health impacts of pesticides through illness surveillance and risk assessment; environmental monitoring of air, water, and soil; field enforcement (with the county agricultural commissioners) of laws regulating pesticide use; residue testing of fresh produce; and encouraging development and adoption of least-toxic pest management practices through incentives and grants. The state’s pesticide regulatory program has had departmental status since 1991, as the Department of Pesticide Regulation, within the California Environmental Protection Agency. But the pesticide program had its beginnings in the early 1920s as a function of the California Department of Agriculture (later to be called the Department of Food and Agriculture). ONLINE RESOURCES: DPR offers many publications online (PDF format): http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/dept/docsmenu.htm "A Guide to Pesticide Regulation in California: 2017 Update" provides a complete overview and history of the department: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pressrls/dprguide.htm TRANSLATIONS: For pesticide safety information translated in other languages, see this link http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/dept/spanish/translations.htm