The authors of this paper have chosen to show pesticides in their worst light, i.e. their danger to humans. Convinced that pesticides will be indispensable in the protection of agricultural products and more especially of stored products for a long time to come, the authors thus hope to contribute to a real awareness of the risks involved in the use of pesticides. This paper is aimed at advisers to the general public, educators and store managers as well as representatives of the industry, so that they can become actively involved in encouraging better use of pesticides.