These data are raw and are supplied by applicators. The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office does not review the figures for accuracy, leaving that to the state.

These data include pesticide use for non-production agricultural purposes, such as food processing and reservoir water treatment, but not for crop production.

Pesticides sold at home and garden stores, and chemicals that do not require licenses to apply, are not included.

All pesticide quantity units are converted to pounds for consistency. Original units are converted into dry ounces, and then into pounds. One fluid ounce of water weighs about one dry ounce, but fluid ounces of mixed products vary in weight. The commissioner’s data do not differentiate between dry and liquid ounces.

Most products are unmixed, but some are packaged in ready-to-use mixtures.

Many of the licensed applicators are headquartered outside the county. The commissioner’s database does not include precise application locations, but all are within Monterey County.

Toxicity varies. A large quantity of one pesticide may be significantly less hazardous than a small quantity of another.

Source: Deputy Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Ken Allen.