The Dangers of
Pesticides
Morgan Crouder
Environmental Science
Research Paper p.4
April 23, 1997
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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……………………………
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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positions.
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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
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damages as a result of
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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
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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
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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:
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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:
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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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.
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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
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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.
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