The Dangers of Pesticides Morgan Crouder Environmental Science Research Paper p.4 April 23, 1997 2 Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………… …… How to Get Help with a Pest or Pesticide Management Problem….. Alternative Pest Controls………………………………………… Integrated Pest Management…………………………………….. Pesticide Management…………………………………………… Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training…………………… Pesticide Laws, Regulations and Restrictions…………………….. The Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1989……………………… Responsibilities Of Certified Applicators………………………….. The Hazard Communication Standard…………………………… 2 3 Groundwater Restrictions………………………………………… Endangered Species Pesticide Use Restrictions…………………… Guidelines for Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Containers……… Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides…………… Pesticides Use Precautions………………………………………. Warnings on the Safe and Proper Use of Pesticides……………… Store Pesticides Wisely- A Suitable storage site for pesticides…… Conclusion………………………………………………… …… Introduction I wrote my fourth quarter research paper on pesticides. My paper includes an introduction on the dangers of pesticides and how to prevent them from getting into your families food. This paper will explain how to reach someone who has the skills to treat certain diseases, insects, nematodes, weeds and other pesticides. I also 3 4 included different sections on how to control specific pests, and provided recommendations for management and control of major pest problems. The subjects that I will cover are; How to Get Help with a Pest or Pesticide Management Problem, Alternative Pest Controls, Integrated Pest Management, Pesticide Management, Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training, Pesticide Laws, Regulations and Restrictions, The Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1989, Responsibilities Of Certified Applicators, The Hazard Communication Standard, Groundwater Restrictions, Endangered Species Pesticide Use Restrictions, Guidelines for Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Containers, Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides, Pesticides Use Precautions, Warnings on the Safe and Proper Use of Pesticides and How to Store Pesticides Wisely- A Suitable storage site for pesticides. Included is information about residues that will remain on or in the crop at harvest, phytotoxicity, and where possible, the effects on fish and wildlife. There are many recommended chemicals that have been registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When used in accordance with the directions on the labels residues should be within tolerance limits set by the EPA. Pesticide users must follow label directions with regard to application sites, rates of application, number of applications or the minimum time interval between application and harvest. Violation of label directions may result in unsafe residues in crops, fines to the 4 5 applicator along with the grower, crop seizure, and the loss of public confidence and product marketability. You must always follow all label directions to the letter, and use pesticides only as labeled for a particular use. 5 6 How to Get Help with a Pest or Pesticide Management Problem The first rule in solving any problem is to properly identify the cause of the problem before you seek a solution. This rule especially holds for pest control. You MUST identify the pest before you make any attempt to control it. If you need assistance with pest identification, there is help available as close as your local Extension office. The telephone number of your local Extension agent is listed in the local government section of your telephone directory. If a pest is especially difficult to identify or if confirmation is needed, as is often the case with plant disease problems. The Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, the Insect Identification Laboratory, the Weed Identification Laboratory, the Soil Testing Laboratory, the Forage Testing Laboratory, and the Pesticide Residue Laboratory may be of some help in order to find some answers to your questions. All samples should be sent by your local Extension office. Many of these services may be used for solving pest control problems. Alternative Pest Controls Pest management and control includes more than the use of pesticides. Agriculture today already uses a number of non-chemical 6 7 methods including resistant varieties, cultural controls, and biological controls. Growers are encouraged to implement these alternative controls whenever possible. Alternative controls are an integral part of any cropping system. However, where chemical controls are necessary, their use must be managed in such a way as to provide for a safe food supply, a clean and healthy environment for humans and wildlife, and a productive and profitable agricultural industry. Although my research paper does not provide a comprehensive pest control plan for each crop or commodity it does encourage the use of alternative pest controls. Integrated Pest Management There are extensive programs available through Extension involving integrated pest management (IPM). IPM programs allow growers to manage pests below harmful population levels through the integration of several pest control measures. IPM programs save money by reducing the costs and labor associated with chemical applications. However, IPM is a highly technical management program which depends upon scientific research data specific to the local pest population levels and habitats. Without sufficient data, which takes time and resources to generate, IPM programs are not possible. In Virginia for instance, IPM Programs are not yet developed for all crops. 7 8 However, programs are active in forage production, corn, and vegetable crops. Pesticide Management Our local Cooperative Extension provides programs for the public in pesticide management in the form of recommendations and educational opportunities. Examples of such programs are sessions in commodity production and pesticide safety, including pesticide applicator training. Issues and programs such as farm worker protection, record keeping, endangered species protection, water quality and reregistration of pesticides mean additional state and federal regulations impacting pesticide users. In Virginia, The Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1989 and regulations promulgated under the Act continue to impact growers and commercial pesticide applicators. The Virginia Pesticide Control Act created the Virginia Pesticide Control Board to oversee pesticide management in the Commonwealth. State and federal pesticide laws and regulations are enforced by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Pesticide Management. The grower and applicator is responsible for meeting all requirements imposed by state and federal agencies. 8 9 Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training In many states certification is required of all commercial pesticide users, all aerial applicators, and private users of restricteduse pesticides. Certification and training regulations define pesticide use as actual application, supervision of an application, or recommendation of a pesticide. This includes the routine activities that are part of a pesticide application, such as mixing, loading, clean-up and disposal. Handling, transfer or transport after the manufacturer's original seal is broken is considered "use". Pesticide handling typically managed by persons other than the mixer/loader/applicator, such as long-distance transport, long-term storage or ultimate disposal is not considered part of routine use. A Private Applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use pesticides in the production of an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the grower or his employer (or, if applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of another person). Non-certified applicators employed by agricultural producers may use pesticides only when under the direct supervision of a certified private applicator. Direct supervision means the act or process by which the application of a pesticide is made by a competent person acting under the instructions and 9 10 control of a certified applicator, who is responsible for the actions of that person. The certified applicator must be accessible to the applicator by being in close proximity or by being within reach by telephone or radio contact. All other persons who use any pesticide as part of their job duties, whether for-hire or not-for-hire, must be a certified Commercial Applicator or Registered Technician. Regulations adopted in 1991 restructured private and commercial applicator categories, established a new type of commercial pesticide user (Registered Technician), and changed the requirements for initial certification. Certification procedures differ for Private Applicators, Commercial Applicators (for-hire, not-for-hire and inactive), and Registered Technicians. Pesticide Laws, Regulations, and Restrictions The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) has been amended several times since its inception in 1947. The more recent amendments to this act in 1972 and again in 1978 are some of the most significant laws impacting American agriculture. The 1972 amendment, known as the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act (FEPCA), enacted several very important regulations. FEPCA determines that the use of any pesticide inconsistent with its labeling is prohibited. The violations of FEPCA by growers, applicators, and dealers can result in heavy fines and imprisonment. Pesticides must be classified for either general use or 10 11 for restricted use. Anyone using or purchasing restricted-use pesticides must be certified by their state of residency. Pesticide manufacturing plants must be inspected by the EPA. States may register pesticides on a limited basis for special local needs. All pesticides must be registered by the EPA. All product registrations must be backed by scientific evidence to control the pests on the label, not injure man, crops, animals, or the environment, and not result in illegal residues in food and feed when used according to label directions. The 1978 amendment to FIFRA also prompted significant changes. This amendment was designed to improve the registration processes slowed by the 1972 act and stipulates that efficacy data can be waived; that generic standards can be set for active ingredients rather than for each product as before; re-registration of older products is required to make certain that scientific data exists to back them; that pesticides can be given a conditional registration prior to full registration; that registrants can use supporting data supplied from other companies if paid for; that trade secrets are to be protected; that states have primary enforcement responsibility of both federal and their own state pesticide laws and regulations; that states can register pesticides under a Special Local Needs (SLN or 24C) label; and, perhaps most importantly, the phrase "to use any registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling" was defined in detail. It is illegal to use a pesticide in any way not permitted by the labeling. A pesticide may be used only on the plants, animals or 11 12 sites named in the directions for use. You may not use higher rates or more frequent applications. You must follow all directions for use, including directions concerning safety, mixing and loading, application, storage and disposal. You must wear the specified personal protective equipment. Pesticide use directions and instructions are not advice, they are requirements. Persons who derive income from the sale or distribution of pesticides can not make recommendations which call for uses inconsistent with the labeling directions for the product. However, federal law does allow you to use some pesticides in ways not specifically mentioned in the labeling. You may: apply a pesticide at a rate or frequency less than listed on the label; apply a pesticide to control a pest not listed on the label as long as the application is made to a plant, animal or site that is listed; use any appropriate equipment or method of application that is not prohibited by the label; mix two or more pesticides if not prohibited by one or more labels and all the dosages are at or below the recommended rate; and mix a pesticide with fertilizer if the mixture is not prohibited by the labeling. A major change to FIFRA, provided by the 1988 amendment, requires EPA to accelerate the re-registration of all pesticide products registered prior to 1978. As a result, some older pesticide registrations are being dropped due to the cost of supporting their reregistration. Many of the uses that will not be re-registered are for minor crops and specialty uses. 12 13 The Virginia Pesticide Control Act Of 1989 The Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1989 is enforced by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). The act and new regulations which support it change the way in which pesticides and their uses are regulated in Virginia. As new regulations are drafted, they will be open to public comment. Information concerning regulatory changes impacting pesticide use in the Commonwealth is available from VDACS and from our local Extension office. The Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1989 took effect on July 1, 1989. The following major changes have been enacted to date: 1. The act established the Virginia Pesticide Control Board (VPCB). The board members are appointed by the governor and charged with overseeing pesticide management in Virginia. The law empowers the board to promulgate and adopt regulations. 2. Reiterated that the enforcement of pesticide regulations will be carried out by the Commissioner of Agriculture/Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services(VDACS)/Product and Industry Regulation/Office of Pesticide Management. The Office of Pesticide Management (OPM) has been reorganized, with added staff 13 positions. 14 3. Some level of certification is required for all commercial pesticide users. A two-tiered system has been devised for commercial pesticide applicators: Commercial Applicators; and Registered Technicians. Certification of private applicators is required only for those using restricted-use pesticides, as before. 4. Regulations set by the VPCB established fees and expiration dates for: pesticide product state registrations (December 31), pesticide business licenses (March 30), and pesticide applicator certificates (December 31 for private; June 30 for commercial). Pesticide Business Licenses and Certified Commercial Applicator annual renewal fees are due 60 days in advance of the license or certificate expiration date. A penalty is assessed for late renewals. Commercial applicator renewals received after August 30 will not be processed, and the applicator must re-examine to again hold a valid certificate. 5. Applicator re-certification is required on a two (vs. three) year cycle. Renewal of commercial applicator certificates is required annually, as before. 6. Criminal and civil penalties for violations are strengthened. 7. Pesticide Business Licenses are required for pesticide related businesses. Responsibility for financial liability and record-keeping has shifted from the individual Commercial Applicator for hire to the pesticide business/employer. 8. Evidence of financial responsibility is required of pesticide businesses in the form of a liability insurance policy. This policy must protect persons who may suffer legal 14 damages as a result of 15 pesticide use associated with the business. Minimum coverage is $100,000 property damage and $100,000 personal injury (per person), and $300,000 per occurrence. Recently four new regulations have been adopted under Rules and Regulations for Enforcement of the 1989 Virginia Pesticide Control Act: 7/90: Fees increased for product registration and applicator certification of registered technicians and pesticide business licenses. 1/91: License required for pesticide businesses. 1/91: Guidelines established for public participation. 9/91: Certification procedures revamped; preparatory training prior to examination for certification required; categories restructured; spill reporting mandated, and record keeping requirements (RUP applications) set for Commercial Applicators Not For Hire. Responsibilities Of Certified Applicators I. Adherence to the Pesticide Label 15 16 The pesticide label is a legal agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the product manufacturer and the user. Pesticide product labels provide instructions for all stages/phases of use. Applicators must read, understand and follow label directions carefully. Pesticides may not be applied to any site not listed on the product label. Materials may not be applied at rates higher that the label directs. Pesticide applicators are bound to follow label directions for transport, mixing, loading, application, storage and disposal of pesticide products and containers. The Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act (FEPCA), a 1972 amendment to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), prohibited the use of any pesticide inconsistent with its label, and set penalties for deliberate violations. II. Supervision A. Registered Technicians/Commercial Applicators Certified Applicators must provide on the job training, instruction and supervision of Registered Technicians employed by them or assigned to them by their employer. Registered Technicians may use restricted-use pesticides only under the supervision of a Commercial Applicator. The supervising Commercial Applicator must either be physically present or be where the Registered Technician may contact the applicator by telephone or radio. Certified applicators are responsible for the work of Registered Technicians under their 16 17 supervision, and must provide the Registered Technicians with clear, specific instructions on all aspects of pesticide use. A Registered Technician may apply general use pesticides unsupervised. Uncertified persons may apply pesticides commercially while in training status and under the direct, on-site supervision of a certified Commercial Applicator. B. Uncertified Pesticide Users/Private Applicators Uncertified but competent persons may apply pesticides in the production of agricultural commodities on private property when under the direct supervision of a certified Private Applicator. The certified Private Applicator is responsible for the actions of the uncertified person. III. Record-Keeping A. Commercial: Commercial applicators are required to keep records of restricteduse pesticide applications. These records must be maintained for a period of two years following the pesticide use, and must contain the following information: 17 18 1. Name, address and telephone number (if applicable) of the treatment site property owner, and address/location of the application site, if different; 2. Name and certification number of the person making or supervising the application; 3. Date of application (day, month, year); 4. Type of plants, crop, animals or sites treated; 5. Principal pests to be controlled; 6. Acreage, area, or number of plants or animals treated; 7. Identification of pesticide used: Brand name or common name of pesticide used, and EPA product registration number; Amount of pesticide concentrate and amount of diluted water, etc. used, by weight or volume to the area/sites defined in #6; 8. Type of application equipment used. B. Private: The Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1991, also known as the 1990 Farm Bill, requires private pesticide users to keep records of applications of restricted-use pesticides (RUP). Records must be maintained for a period of two years. Private applicators are required to make their records available, upon request, to any Federal or State agency that deals with pesticide use or any health or 18 19 environmental issue related to the use of restricted-use pesticides. Private Applicator records must contain the following information: 1. The restricted-use pesticide brand or product name, and the EPA registration number; 2. The total amount of the restricted-use pesticide applied; 3. The location of the application, the size of area treated, and the crop, commodity, stored product, or site to which the restricted- use pesticide was applied; 4. The month, day and year when the restricted-use pesticide application occurred; and 5. The name and certification number of the certified applicator who applied or supervised the application of the restricted-use pesticide. 6. Application(s) of RUP's in a total area of less than one-tenth of an acre occurring on the same day shall require brand or product name, EPA registration number, total amount applied, designation of "spot application" for location, and date of application. If a grower hires a commercial applicator to make an application of a restricted use pesticide, he/she should obtain the necessary record-keeping information from the commercial applicator. Commercial applicators are required to provide a copy of a restricted-use pesticide application record to the person for whom the application was made within 30 days of the application. The federal record-keeping regulation is being revised; the new regulation should be published during the first quarter of 1995. 19 20 Please keep in touch with your local Extension agent for the latest information on record-keeping. IV. Financial Responsibility The Commercial Applicator For Hire, or his/her employer, must provide VDACS with evidence of financial responsibility protecting persons who may suffer legal damages as a result of use of any pesticide by the applicator. The coverage must provide for liability that may result from the operation of a pesticide business, and for liability relating to completed operations (for businesses that apply pesticides). Virginia's state employees are insured by the Commonwealth for activities performed as official job duties. V. Reporting of Pesticide Accidents Pesticide accidents or incidents that constitute a threat to any person, to public health or safety, and/or to the environment must be reported. Initial notification must be made by telephone within 48 hours of the occurrence. A written report describing the accident or incident within 10 days of the initial notification. If the accident or incident involves a spill, the applicator should contact the National Response Center or the local Poison Control Center determining whether the release is governed under SARA Title III (the Community Right-to-Know Law). Reporting under SARA 20 21 Title III is determined by the chemical hazard and the volume of the released chemical. VI. Revocation or Suspension Certificates may be suspended or revoked if the holder, in the eyes of VDACS, presents a substantial danger or threat of danger to public health and safety or to the environment. A suspension may be issued on an emergency basis, and a certificate may be revoked after a hearing has taken place. If a person's certificate is revoked, he or she may not re-apply for Virginia certification for two years. VII. Pesticide Business License Certified Commercial Applicators working for hire must have a Pesticide Business License, or work for someone who does. Maintenance Of Certification: Renewal/Re-certification I. Renewal of Certificates: A. Commercial Certified Applicator and Registered Technician certificates must be renewed annually. VDACS will send each commercial applicator a notice regarding renewal each year. A renewal form, identification of 21 22 employer, and an annual renewal fee must be received on or before April 30 of each year to avoid a penalty. The renewal fee is $35.00 for a Commercial Applicator and $15.00 for a Registered Technician. The renewal fee is waived for Federal, State and local governmental employees. Applications for renewal will not be processed unless the applicator has at least one year of re-certification credit in the appropriate category or categories. Commercial certificates expire June 30. No late renewals will be accepted after August 30. B. Private Private Applicator certificates are automatically renewed at recertification. There is no fee. Private applicator certificates expire on December 31, two years following issue. Late renewals will not be accepted after March 1. Persons who allow their certificate(s) to lapse must retest in the appropriate category or categories. Commercial Applicators and registered technicians who choose to re-certify by re-examination or who must be examined to reactivate a lapsed certificate must apply for examination. Applications must be accompanied by a fee: $35.00 for Commercial Applicators, $15.00 for Registered Technicians. Like the renewal fee, exam fees are waived for government employees. II. Re-certification: 22 23 To qualify for annual renewal, private and commercial applicators and registered technicians must participate in an ongoing pesticide education program. At a minimum, applicators must attend at least one fully-approved re-certification session per category every two years. Applicators may accumulate up to four years of recertification credit. Persons who fail to re-certify will not be able to renew their certificates. A credit system for Private Applicator re-certification began in the autumn of 1992. To re-certify, private applicators must earn a minimum of one credit in each of five subject areas per category every two years. OPM may establish a credit system for recertification of all applicators. The Hazard Communication Standard As of May 23, 1988, all employers must adhere to restrictions under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. This standard is a worker right-to-know law which requires employers to train and inform all workers who may be potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. The new law especially targets operations, including agricultural operators, with 10 or more employees. These employers must file a Hazard Communication Plan in their offices and inform their employees of the content of this plan. These employers must obtain and file Material Safety Data 23 24 Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals used by their employees. In addition, employers must provide training on the information in the plan, the MSDS, and chemical labeling to each employee who may be potentially exposed to a chemical hazard. This training is very specific to each individual operation and so therefore must be conducted by the employer. Also, when new chemical hazards are introduced into the workplace, the employer must provide new training to protect the employee. For agricultural operators with fewer than 10 employees, it is not necessary to develop and file a Hazard Communication Plan. However, MSDS and Labeling should be maintained and employees must be informed of proper use and safe handling according to the MSDS and labeling information. For more information on the standard, contact your local Extension office or local Department of Labor. A training manual explaining how to comply and develop a training program is available. Groundwater Restrictions The EPA and Congress have places special emphasis on protection of water resources. Water quality programs are being implemented in education and research programs throughout the country. Federal and state efforts to protect groundwater are 24 25 resulting in new pesticide product label instructions and use restrictions. EPA has developed a plan for protecting water resources from pesticides. Phase one is to require label advisories on general-use (unclassified) products. Phase two is to move a product from general-use to restricted-use classification. Phase three is to require that the product be used only under the terms and conditions of a State Management Plan (SMP). The labels of such products will state that they may be used only in accordance with a SMP. Phase four is cancellation. As an applicator and landowner, you must adhere to label restrictions, and should follow best management practices in handling pesticides. Particular attention should be given to prevention of spills, back-siphoning, and disposal of pesticides. Applicators can do much to prevent contamination by following label rates, and maintaining and calibrating application equipment. In many states it is against the law to use equipment in poor repair or to fill tanks directly from a water source without an anti-siphon device in use on the spray equipment. Applicators should expect a continued emphasis on protection of water supplies. Endangered Species Pesticide Use Restrictions 25 26 Under authority of the Endangered Species Act and the FIFRA, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the EPA may restrict pesticide use where such use jeopardizes a federally listed Threatened or Endangered species. EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program is designed to protect federally-listed Endangered and Threatened species from exposure to pesticides. The new program is intended to provide information concerning and regulation for the use of pesticides that may adversely affect the survival, reproduction and/or food supply of listed species. In its present form, the protection plan will require registrants of products that have labeled uses that may place endangered or threatened species at risk to place a generic statement of the product label. This generic notice will instruct users to comply with limitations described in a county-specific bulletin. Consequently, potential users will be informed prior to making a purchase that there may be local limitations on use of the product due to endangered species concerns. The label will also list a toll-free telephone number for pesticide users to call to find out if their county is affected by the program. The county bulletin will contain a detailed map on which the protected habitat and corresponding pesticide use limitations are indicated. EPA is exploring a number of distribution points for the county bulletins, including county Extension offices, state government agencies, and sales points for pesticide products. These restrictions are slated for implementation in 1995. Please observe pesticide labeling for changes and keep up to date on this topic. Information is available through your local Extension 26 27 office and from your local Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Guidelines for Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Containers Always dispose of pesticides and empty containers so they pose no hazard to humans or the environment. Follow label directions, and consult your local Extension agent if you have questions. The best solution to the problem of what to do with excess pesticide is to avoid having any. Waste minimization strategies include: buy only the amount needed for a year or a growing season, minimize the amount of product kept in storage, calculate how much diluted pesticide you will need for a job, and mix only that amount, apply pesticide with properly-calibrated equipment, use all pesticides in accordance with label instructions, purchase pesticide products packaged in such a way as to minimize disposal problems, or packaged in containers that have legal disposal options available in your area. 27 28 The best disposal option for excess usable pesticide is to find a way to use the material as directed by the label. Note that the total amount of active ingredient applied to a site, including all previous applications, must not exceed the rate and frequency allowed by the labeling. If you have usable pesticide product in its original container that you cannot use, you may be able to find another pesticide handler that who can. Other pesticide waste disposal options include: following valid label disposal directions, returning product to the dealer, formulator or manufacturer, participating in a federal indemnification program for canceled/suspended products, employing a professional waste disposal firm, participating in a state or local "clean day", like the Virginia Pesticide Control Board-sponsored Pesticide Disposal Program. Pesticide wastes that cannot be disposed of right away should be marked to indicate the contents and then stored safely and correctly until legal disposal is possible. Federal law (FIFRA) requires pesticide applicators to rinse "empty" pesticide containers before disposing of them. Pesticide containers that have been properly rinsed can be handled and disposed of as non-hazardous solid waste. The containers of some commonly-used pesticides are classified as hazardous waste if not 28 29 properly rinsed. Proper disposal of hazardous waste is highly regulated. Improper disposal of a hazardous waste can result in high fines and/or criminal penalties. A "drip-drained" pesticide container contains product. Immediate and proper rinsing generally removes more than 99% of container residues. Properly rinsed pesticide containers pose minimal risk to people and their environment. Pesticide containers should be rinsed as soon as they are emptied. So, the time to rinse is during mixing/loading. If containers are rinsed as soon as they are emptied, the rinsate can be added to the spray tank, avoiding the problem of rinsate disposal. Properly rinsing the container and using the rinse water (rinsate) to make the spray mix makes sure that nothing is wasted. Pesticide residues do not have time to dry in the container. Dried residues are to rinse. It would be smart to never postpone rinsing the container. Be sure to wear protective clothing when rinsing pesticide containers. See the product label for information on what to wear. Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides 29 30 EPA's Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS) was developed to protect workers and pesticide handlers from exposures to agricultural pesticides, thus reducing the risks of pesticide poisonings and injuries. Specifically, the WPS regulates pesticide use on farms, in greenhouses and nurseries, and in forest operations. The WPS targets workers who perform hand labor operations in agricultural fields, nurseries, greenhouses and forests treated with pesticides. It also impacts employees who handle pesticides (mix, load, apply, etc.) for use in those locations. Labels of pesticides used in agricultural plant production, nursery/greenhouse operations and forestry will change to reflect the WPS requirements. Pesticide companies must put WPS labels on agricultural pesticides by April 24, 1994. After October 23, 1995, pesticide dealers cannot sell agricultural products without WPS references. Growers must comply with some WPS requirements as soon as they buy and use a product that refers to the WPS in the Agricultural Use Requirements box on the label. These include: use of personal protective equipment (PPE), restricted-entry intervals, and double notification (if applicable). 30 31 On and after January 1, 1995, growers must comply with all of the requirements of the WPS, when referenced on the label, including: display of information at a central location (WPS safety poster, information about location of medical facilities, and a list of recent pesticide applications); pesticide safety training for workers and non-certified pesticide handlers; employer information exchange between the employers of agricultural workers (growers) and employers of commercial (forhire) pesticide handlers; decontamination sites; emergency assistance, including transportation to medical care and providing information to medical personnel or employees; notice of applications for products that allow a choice of warning workers orally or by posting treated areas; monitoring of handlers who are using certain highly-toxic pesticides, specific instruction to handlers, including label information and safe operation of application equipment; equipment safety, including inspection and maintenance; providing PPE (clean and maintained in good condition), and preventing heat stress or illness; providing protection for early entry workers; specific application restrictions in nurseries and greenhouses. 31 32 Pesticide Use Precautions Efficient and economical control of insects, plant diseases, and weeds is a factor in the production of all crops. Both the costs of control and losses resulting from inadequate control reach tremendous proportions each year. The use of today's pesticides requires a great degree of precision. Only minute quantities of herbicides are needed to kill plants and many currently used pesticides are highly toxic to man and animals. In some instances, rates are given in ounces per acre. This requires that pesticide users know how to regulate equipment and follow detailed directions outlined on chemical labels. PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND LIMIT THE ACREAGE TREATED UNTIL YOU HAVE GAINED FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF PESTICIDES. Warnings on the Safe and Proper Use of Pesticides 32 33 Pesticides vary in their toxicity to man and other animals, so all should be used with care. The following suggestions will help minimize the likelihood of injury (from exposure to such chemicals) to man, animals, and non-target plants and animals. Read the Label - Before buying and applying pesticides always read all label directions and follow them - exactly. Notice warnings and cautions before opening the container. Repeat the process every time, no matter how often you use a pesticide. The label directions for pesticides often change from year to year. Apply materials only on crops specified, in amounts suggested, and at times indicated on the latest manufacturer's label. Store Pesticides Wisely - A suitable storage site for pesticides: protects people and animals from accidental exposure; protects the environment from accidental contamination; prevents damage to stored products (from temperature extremes and excess moisture); protects the pesticides from theft, vandalism and unauthorized use. 33 34 All pesticides should be stored under lock and key, outside the home. Storage facilities should be well-ventilated and well-lit. Pesticide storage areas should be located away from water sources such as ponds or wells. However, a supply of clean water for decontamination is recommended. Non-porous materials are recommended for flooring and shelving. It is important to locate materials in the storage site so cross-contamination does not occur. Do not store pesticides with food, feed, seed or fertilizer. An emergency plan should be worked out with local authorities, notifying them of the contents of such storage facilities. If substantial quantities of highly toxic pesticides are being stored you must notify (according to law) your local Emergency Response Council. Proper record-keeping should be maintained to provide for an up-to-date list of contents at all times. Always store pesticides in their original containers and keep them tightly closed. Never keep pesticides in unmarked containers. Avoid Physical Contact with Pesticides - do not smoke, eat, chew tobacco, or use snuff while handling or applying pesticides. Protect your eyes from pesticides at all times. Avoid inhaling sprays or dusts. When directed on the label, wear protective clothing and a proper mask. Be careful not to spill pesticides on skin or clothing. If they are accidentally spilled, remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash the contaminated skin thoroughly. Wash hands and face and change to clean clothing after applying pesticides. Also wash clothing each day before re-use and separate from the family laundry. Do not spray with leaking hoses or connections. Do not use 34 35 the mouth to siphon liquids from containers or to blow out clogged lines, nozzles, etc. Contact a doctor if the symptoms of illness occur during or after the use of pesticides. Apply Pesticides Carefully - Successful pest control requires application of the correct amount of pesticide uniformly over a targeted area. With most pests, application is a precise operation requiring reliable equipment. Timeliness may also be critical. Many herbicides have narrow ranges of selectivity. At the suggested rates of application they will generally control weeds without damaging the crop, but at a slightly higher rate they may damage or kill the crop. Dispose of Pesticides Correctly - All pesticides should be disposed of according to container directions. All empty containers should be triple rinsed (or equivalent), crushed, and disposed of as directed by the product label. Rinsate should be placed in the spray tank at the time of mixing. Left-over dilute pesticides should be used according to label directions. Left-over concentrates should be disposed of according to EPA Guidelines only after exhausting other options. Amounts of chemicals that do not qualify for disposal under these guidelines must be hauled by an approved hazardous waste handler at a cost to the owner of the chemical. Pet, Fish, and Wildlife Protection - To protect fish and other wildlife, do not apply known harmful pesticides to streams or areas where drainage may be expected to enter waterways. Incorporate all granular pesticides into the soil to prevent birds and other animals from eating granules. Scout fields for dead animals and birds before 35 36 and after application. Remove any carcasses to prevent poisoning of birds-of-prey and scavengers. Cover food and water containers when treating around livestock or pet areas. Do not discard leftover materials into drainage channels. Confine chemicals to the property and crop being treated. Drift and Volatility of Herbicides - Drift can be a problem with any pesticide; however, drift of herbicides is the most commonly encountered cause of pesticide damage to susceptible crops. No pesticide can be applied by either aerial or ground- equipment without some drift. Spray drift is influenced by air movement, droplet size, and distance traveled by spray before reaching the target area. For minimum drift, application should be made as close to the ground as possible, when air movement is at a minimum, and using spray nozzles which eliminate fine droplets. In some instances, spray additives or thickeners may be used to improve application to the target area and to reduce drift. Some herbicides, such as highly volatile esters of 2, 4-D (e.g., isopropyl and butyl esters), are capable of causing injury to adjacent crops by movement in the vapor phase after the spray has dried on the plant or soil surfaces. Use the amine, low-volatility ester or oilsoluble amine formulations of 2, 4-D to reduce the possibility of vapor drift. The farmer and the applicator are liable for damages caused by drift or volatility. Decontamination of Sprayers Used for Herbicides - Tobacco, grapes, tomatoes, garden vegetables, fruit trees, ornamental plants, and many other crops are particularly susceptible to 2, 4-D and 36 37 related growth-regulating chemicals. Do not spray sensitive plants with a sprayer that has previously contained these chemicals. For less sensitive plants, sprayers may be adequately cleaned by using household ammonia. After flushing the sprayer, a 2% solution (1 gal to 50 gal of water or 1 cup to 3 gal water) should be allowed to remain in all parts of the sprayer for 24 to 48 hours. Rinse afterwards several times with water, the last time immediately before re-use. Soluble powders, salts, and amine formulations can usually be removed by repeated washing with water. Selection of a Pesticide and its Formulation - Two or more pesticides may be equally effective in a given situation. Also, the same chemical may be available in a variety of formulations. Your selection of a pesticide and its formulation will be determined by the (1) pest species involved, (2) availability of the pesticide, (3) type of equipment at your disposal, (4) hazards to humans, domestic animals, wildlife, and desirable plants, (5) relative total costs of materials and application, and (6) time of application. All recommended rates of application are based on the amount of active ingredient in a given product. Many commercial products vary in the percentage of active ingredient. The label will give the exact amount of active ingredient in the container and the amount of product to be used in a given area. Granular formulations of many pesticides are available. In comparison to sprays, granular pesticides offer both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages are: simpler application (no 37 38 water or mixing required,) less drift, and a tendency toward longer activity in the soil. The problem of accurate calibration of granular equipment and the higher per-acre cost of granular pesticides may offset these advantages. Variation of particle size for different products, varying rates of application, and varying percentages of active ingredients complicate calibration of granular materials. More concentrated materials are usually more economical but errors in calibration are more critical. Calibration charts are available from manufacturers of granular applicators. All steps suggested by the manufacturer should be followed for obtaining correct rates of application. Recently, insecticide granules have come under regulatory pressure due to their potential harm to non-target species when not incorporated into the soil. Fungicide granules may be incorporated with soil-less media for growing ornamentals in containers. It is important that the granules be thoroughly mixed, preferably with a rotating drum-type mixer. Because the vapor pressure of granular fungicides is low, it is important that the granules be incorporated uniformly to assure treatment of the entire soil volume. Tank Mixes of Pesticides If tank mixes are to be used, the following suggestions are offered: 1. For a pesticide to be used as a tank mix, one of the following criteria must be met: 38 39 a. The use is indicated on the label of one or more EPA registered products. b. The use is covered by state registration. c. The use has been tested and recommended by Agricultural Experiment Stations. 2. Check labels of products to be mixed to make sure that there are no explicit restrictions against mixing with other chemicals. 3. Make sure products to be mixed are labeled for the use intended and not to exceed labeled rates. 4. When mixing two or more pesticides, make sure you follow all restrictions for each chemical. 5. Make sure you are aware of your responsibilities when using a tank mix. (Read the warranty.) 6. Make sure you actually need a tank mix. Many times, a single pesticide is adequate. 7. Limit products in a mixture to no more than three to avoid increased possibility of crop injury or reduced effectiveness or both. 8. The private applicator or grower should mix the products in the field. If the dealer or his personnel deliver a label-prohibited tank mix, it is illegal and could place liability for any damages on the dealer and grower. 9. The final responsibility on the use of tank mixes lies with the user. 39 40 Poisonings The procedure to be followed IN CASE OF SUSPECTED POISONING: (1) Call a physician immediately. If the family physician is not available, the patient should be taken to the nearest physician or hospital emergency room together with the container of the poisoning agent. (2) If necessary, the physician will call the nearest poison control center for further information on toxicity of the suspected agent, treatment, and prognosis. (3) You may call one of the Poison Control Centers for information. Conclusion 40 41 In conclusion to my research paper I feel I have done a thorough job on covering my subject. The main point to my research paper was the important uses of pesticides, how to control, manage and handle them in a careful manner. In this paper I covered what the necessary precautions to pesticides were and what to do when you have run into trouble. The subjects that I covered within my paper were; How to Get Help with a Pest or Pesticide Management Problem, Alternative Pest Controls, Integrated Pest Management, Pesticide Management, Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training, Pesticide Laws, Regulations and Restrictions, The Virginia Pesticide Control Act of 1989, Responsibilities Of Certified Applicators, The Hazard Communication Standard, Groundwater Restrictions, Endangered Species Pesticide Use Restrictions, Guidelines for Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Containers, Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides, Pesticides Use Precautions, Warnings on the Safe and Proper Use of Pesticides and How to Store Pesticides Wisely- A Suitable storage site for pesticides. 41