N.Y. Public Health Law § 1601: Legislative findings and purpose

§ 1601. Legislative findings and purpose. Pesticides have proved

valuable in the control of harmful insects, weeds, fungi and other forms

of plant and animal life. When used indiscriminately, however, they may

injure crops, whether or not directly treated, contaminate the air, soil

and water, thus upsetting the desired ecological balance, and harm

humans, fish and wildlife by direct poisoning or by gradual accumulation

of pesticide residues in tissues. It is the purpose of this article

better to protect the public health and welfare and to minimize the

potential pesticide hazard to man and his environment, consistent with

the public interest in the benefits to be derived from their safe and

scientific application, by establishing a pesticide control board to

formulate over-all policy in the state's regulatory programs and

coordinate state efforts to control the use of pesticides.