Pesticide Safety Update

Brian Jones

Agronomy Extension Agent

February 2, 2009

SAFETY FIRST?

Outline

Restricted use pesticides Label comprehension Risk management Personal protective equipment

Pesticide Classification

General Use Restricted Use

For use only by certified applicators or by persons under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.

Designates products that could pose: acute toxicity threat to humans & wildlife ground water contamination concern threat to aquatic organisms

Restricted Use Pesticides

Pesticide Applicator Classification

Private Commercial

What Can Certified Applicators Do?

Private Applicators Apply Restricted Use on own property for

crop production Registered Technicians

Apply general use pesticides Apply Restricted Use pesticides under “direct

supervision” of a Commercial Applicator Commercial Applicators

Apply Restricted Use pesticides in that category

Questions?

What are Your Responsibilities?

READ AND OBEY THE LABEL Understand what your certification allows Keep records of RUP applications or sales Report “incidents” to OPS in 48 hours Keep OPS informed of your address and

employer changes, and Read Your Mail!

The Label is the LAW!

The pesticide product label is a binding legal agreement between three parties: US Environmental Protection Agency, product registrant, and product user.

What is the “labeling”?

Instructions and directions located on the product.

Other instructions and directions that accompany the product.

Specialized instructions and directions in separate documents referred to on the label.

ActiveActiveIngredientsIngredients

Inert IngredientsInert Ingredients

Label Information

Brand Brand NameName

Label Information

It’s critical that applicators understand It’s critical that applicators understand and follow these statements!and follow these statements!

Label Information

Manufacturer’s Manufacturer’s AddressAddress

EPA RegistrationEPA RegistrationNumberNumber

Signal Words

Signal Words

QUESTIONS?

Toxicity Capacity to cause

harm Nature of the

chemical Dose-related

Exposure Dose Route Duration Frequency

Hazard* = Toxicity x Exposure

*Hazard = Risk

RISKYBUSINESS?

Making Pesticide Decisions

Goal is to balance: Lowest toxicity Lowest exposure Most effective pest management

Toxic Effects May Occur:

During or soon after During or soon after exposureexposure

After repeated After repeated exposure over a exposure over a

long timelong time2005 2005

20042004 2003 2003

20022002

ACUTEACUTE CHRONICCHRONIC

Toxicity Measure: LD50

The LD50 is the dose of toxin that produces 50%

mortality in a test population.

LD50 is usually expressed in milligrams of toxin per

kilogram of test animal body weight (mg/kg). the lower the LD50 value, the more toxic the

substance the higher the LD50 value, the less toxic the

substance

Acute Toxicity Ratings

Signal Word How Toxic Oral LD50 (mg/kg)

Lethal Dose (Adult)

Danger – Poison

Highly 0 - 50 Few drops to 1 tsp

Warning Moderately 50 - 500 1 – 2 tsp

Caution Slightly 500 - 5000 1 oz – 1 pt

Caution Almost non-toxic

> 5000 1 pt

Relative Toxicity, rat oral LD50, mg/kg

Least Least toxictoxic

Most Most toxictoxic ““The dose makes the poison”The dose makes the poison”

Alcohol 14,000Glyphosate (Roundup) 5,600Salt (sodium chloride) 3,000Malathion 1,375Acephate (Orthene) 945Aspirin 750Ammonia 350Diazinon 300Nicotine 50Aldicarb (Temik) 0.93Copper chelate 0.50Botulinum toxin 0.00001

Caution

Warning

DangerPoison

QUESTIONS?

To Minimize Pesticide Exposure:

Use integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to minimize pesticide use.

Select the safest, effective formulation. Use a product with reduced concentration

of active ingredient. Reduce rate of application to lowest

effective level. Mix only enough pesticide to complete

assigned task.

To Minimize Pesticide Exposure:

Select an application method that minimizes contact.

Wear all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) stipulated on the label

Mixing pesticides usually requires more PPE than applying.

Follow all safety precautions on the label.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The label is very specific about the PPE required for mixing/loading, application, and early entry.

Label lists PPE minimums. Can wear more. Applicator is legally required to follow all PPE

instructions on label. Long-sleeve shirt, long pants, waterproof

gloves, and shoes and socks are the minimum PPE found on any agricultural pesticide.

PPE: Eye Protection

Goggles or face shieldGoggles or face shieldare required if labelare required if labelcalls for eye protection.calls for eye protection.Face shield offers moreFace shield offers moreprotection when mixingprotection when mixingand loading. A chemicaland loading. A chemicalresistant hat is sometimesresistant hat is sometimesspecified on the label.specified on the label.

PPE: Respirators

Reduces exposure to various dusts and mists.

Label will specify type of respirator.

PPE: Respirators

Must be made for the pesticide - see the label.

Make sure it fits correctly - no air gaps Change cartridge frequently

See manufacturer’s instructions If not available, after 8 hours of use Sooner if notice odor, etc.

Wash with soap and water after use Store in plastic bag after washing

PPE: Coveralls

“Coveralls” can be reusable types (cotton or blends) or disposable types such as Tyvek or Kleenguard.

The label will specify if “chemical resistant coveralls” (coated/ waterproof material) are needed.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves

Waterproof or chemical resistant

Read the label to determine correct type

Never wear cotton, leather, or canvas

Wear under cuff, unless spraying overhead

Natural RubberNatural Rubber

PPE: Gloves

If the label says “waterproof”, you may choose gloves made of rubber or synthetic materials.

If the label says “chemical resistant”, use barrier laminate, butyl, nitrile, neoprene, or Viton ($$$).

Barrier laminateButyl Rubber

Nitrile Rubber

Neoprene

Viton

PPE: Boots

Choose knee-high rubber or synthetic boots without holes

Wear cuff on outside of boot

Never wear leather

Cleaning Contaminated Clothing

Wash contaminated clothing daily. Do not attempt to clean clothing

contaminated with undiluted pesticide - throw away.

Prerinse, don’t crowd washer, use hot water Use long cycle & heavy duty liquid detergent Keep separate from other clothing

QUESTIONS?

Thank You!