New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 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.