September 30, 2025 — The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released the final, annual Air Monitoring Network (AMN) Report for 2023. Although there were detections from the air samples, DPR analysis showed that there were no pesticide concentrations that exceeded its acute, sub-chronic, or chronic screening or regulatory level in 2023, meaning that pesticide concentrations found in the air are unlikely to be harmful to human health.
Visit DPR’s website to view the full final 2023 Air Monitoring Report.
DPR operates four air monitoring stations in Oxnard (Ventura County), Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County), Shafter (Kern County), and Watsonville/Ohlone (Santa Cruz/Monterey County).
DPR monitors for pesticides in the air as part of its continuous evaluation of pesticides. The Air Monitoring Program collects and analyzes data as part of the department’s evaluation of a pesticide’s risks and impacts before and after a pesticide is registered for use in California to evaluate and improve protective measures for people and the environment. The AMN monitors for 40 chemicals (35 pesticides and 5 breakdown products) on a weekly basis, with higher-risk pesticides prioritized based on use, likelihood to enter the air, and toxicity.
The department presented the 2023 draft Air Monitoring Report results during the Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee (PREC) meeting on October 25, 2024. Minutes from that meeting can be viewed here.
About the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation protects human health and the environment by fostering safer and sustainable pest management practices and operating a robust regulatory system to monitor and manage the sale and use of pesticides across the state. DPR’s work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting scientific evaluation of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment, investing in innovative research to encourage the development and adoption of integrated pest management tools and practices, monitoring for pesticides in the air and water, conducting outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to safety information, and enforcing pesticide regulations in coordination with 55 County Agricultural Commissioners and their 500 field inspectors.
