Using Pesticides Safely Krystal W. McDuff

Why? Protection of Protection of People People Animals Animals The Environment The Environment

Pesticide Use Pesticide Common Sense Pesticide Common Sense Pesticide Safety Pesticide Safety

Know Your Pest

Know Your Resources Equipment Equipment Manpower Manpower Time Time

Know Your Needs Acres Acres Equipment Equipment Formulations Formulations

Know Your Limitations Environments Environments Certifications Certifications Neighbors Neighbors

Aspects of Pesticide Safety Labels Labels Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment Pesticide Toxicity Pesticide Toxicity Poisoning Signs and Symptoms Poisoning Signs and Symptoms What to do in an Emergency What to do in an Emergency Storage and Disposal Storage and Disposal

Labels ALWAYS READ THE LABEL ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Safety Safety Results Results

Label Components Names Names Formulation Formulation Ingredients Ingredients Manufacturer Manufacturer Registration number Registration number Establishment number Establishment number Signal Words Signal Words Precautionary Statement Precautionary Statement Practical Treatment Practical Treatment Classification Classification Directions Directions Reentry Statement Reentry Statement Waiting Periods Waiting Periods Storage and Disposal Storage and Disposal

Label Components

Pesticide Names Brand or Trade Name Brand or Trade Name Common Name Common Name Chemical Name Chemical Name Brand= RoundUp Common= Glyphosate Chemical = Chemical = N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine

Numbers Registration Number Registration Number Establishment Number Establishment Number

Signal Words ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Category Signal word required Approximate amount on label needed to kill an average person Category Signal word required Approximate amount on label needed to kill an average person ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Highly Toxic DANGER A few drops to one POISON teaspoon Highly Toxic DANGER A few drops to one POISON teaspoon Moderately toxic WARNING one teaspoon to one ounce Moderately toxic WARNING one teaspoon to one ounce Slightly toxic CAUTION over one ounce Slightly toxic CAUTION over one ounce Not toxic not required Not toxic not required

Pesticide Classifications Restricted Use – may cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment or humans, even if used as directed.. Unclassified – usually no adverse effects if used as directed.

Commercial Applicator License

Formulations

Pesticide Toxicity Refers to the ability of a pesticide to cause acute or chronic injury Refers to the ability of a pesticide to cause acute or chronic injury Hazard = Toxicity X Exposure Hazard = Toxicity X Exposure Ex. Gasoline and Aspirin Ex. Gasoline and Aspirin

Types of Toxicity Acute – usually immediate, obvious, reversible Acute – usually immediate, obvious, reversible Delayed – chronic, usually from repeated doses Delayed – chronic, usually from repeated doses Allergic – immune system response to chemicals Allergic – immune system response to chemicals

Acute Effects Oral – examples: burned mouth, sore throat, upset stomach Oral – examples: burned mouth, sore throat, upset stomach Inhalation – examples: pain or tightness in chest Inhalation – examples: pain or tightness in chest Dermal (skin) – examples: itching, blisters, rash Dermal (skin) – examples: itching, blisters, rash Ocular (eyes) – examples: irritation, temporary or permanent blindness Ocular (eyes) – examples: irritation, temporary or permanent blindness

Chronic (delayed) Effects May appear long after exposure: Tumors Gene effects MiscarriageImpotence Birth defects InfertilitySterility Nervous system disorders

Types of Allergic Effects Systemic – as asthma, shock Systemic – as asthma, shock Skin irritation – rash, blisters, sores Skin irritation – rash, blisters, sores Eye and nose – itchy/watery eyes, sneezing Eye and nose – itchy/watery eyes, sneezing Will occur with every exposure to the offending chemical Will occur with every exposure to the offending chemical

How Pesticides Enter the Body Dermal Exposure: 1. not wearing protective clothing 2. not washing hands 3. spilling or splashing 4. spray or dust drift 5. windy applications 6. touching treated plants, soil, livestock Eye Exposure 1. Rubbing eyes after use 2. Splashes 3. Not wearing eye protection Oral Exposure 1. Splashes 2. Eating, drinking, smoking before washing up carefully Inhalation Exposure 1. Working in poorly ventilated areas 2. Handling dusts or powders 3. Exposure to drift

Areas of Absorption Absorption is not equal over the body so make sure to protect yourself!

Poisoning Signs and Symptoms Mild = fatigue, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps Mild = fatigue, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps Moderate = inability to walk, weakness, chest discomfort, pupil constriction, all of the above, just more severe Moderate = inability to walk, weakness, chest discomfort, pupil constriction, all of the above, just more severe Severe = unconsciousness, severe pupil constriction, muscle twitching, running nose, breathing difficulty, coma, death Severe = unconsciousness, severe pupil constriction, muscle twitching, running nose, breathing difficulty, coma, death

Prevention and Preparation Read the label and follow it to the very last word! Read the label and follow it to the very last word! Always keep a change of clothes nearby Always keep a change of clothes nearby Always keep soap nearby Always keep soap nearby Make sure a water source is present whenever contact with pesticides is possible Make sure a water source is present whenever contact with pesticides is possible Check containers for leaks or cracks before handling. Check containers for leaks or cracks before handling. Dont work alone if possible in case of accident Dont work alone if possible in case of accident Keep emergency phone numbers close by. Keep emergency phone numbers close by.

Emergency Procedures Depending on the type and degree of exposure: Call poison control center, 911, or take victim to a hospital WITH THE LABEL OF THE PESTICIDE! Call poison control center, 911, or take victim to a hospital WITH THE LABEL OF THE PESTICIDE! Look at the label for emergency directions Look at the label for emergency directions Remove any contaminated clothing Remove any contaminated clothing Wash (with soap) any affected areas of your body immediately Wash (with soap) any affected areas of your body immediately If pesticide gets in eyes, rinse eyes out thoroughly If pesticide gets in eyes, rinse eyes out thoroughly If possible remove the victim from the contaminated area If possible remove the victim from the contaminated area

Alabama Poison Center Calling the Alabama Poison Center is as easy as dialing Calling the Alabama Poison Center is as easy as dialing

Storage Choose somewhere away from sensitive areas, thats not Choose somewhere away from sensitive areas, thats not prone to flooding and accessible only to authorized personnel. The site should be cool, dry, fire-resistant, have The site should be cool, dry, fire-resistant, have preventative measures in place, and have absorptive materials (clay, cat litter, activated charcoal..) and tools to clean up spills. Signs should be in place on or around the structure saying Signs should be in place on or around the structure saying Danger, Pesticides. Pesticides should be arranged in an organized way so they Pesticides should be arranged in an organized way so they dont cross contaminate, or be confused for another type. The labels should always be visible. The labels should always be visible.

Disposal Labels will indicate how to best dispose of the Labels will indicate how to best dispose of the product you have. Remember the label is the law! Remember the label is the law! Triple – rinse Triple – rinse Depending on what type Depending on what type of pesticide you used, containers can be burned, taken to a burned, taken to a landfill, or returned to the manufacturer

In Case of Spills…….. Give first aid if needed Give first aid if needed Block off the area and put up a warning sign Block off the area and put up a warning sign Use absorbent material to soak up the spill Use absorbent material to soak up the spill Shovel material into a leak-proof container Shovel material into a leak-proof container Dispose of it as you would excess pesticides Dispose of it as you would excess pesticides (you may have to call the manufacturer) Do not hose down the area, it will cause the chemical to spread. Do not hose down the area, it will cause the chemical to spread. You may be able to use bleach, ammonia or lye on it to stop the chemical action. You may be able to use bleach, ammonia or lye on it to stop the chemical action. If its a major spill, call the manufacturer for help, the National Agricultural Chemicals Association Pesticide Safety Team Network, and even local authorities if the spill happened on or near a public highway. If its a major spill, call the manufacturer for help, the National Agricultural Chemicals Association Pesticide Safety Team Network, and even local authorities if the spill happened on or near a public highway.

WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD Contact Extension for training options Contact Extension for training options How to comply manual available at; How to comply manual available at; Signs and posters available from EPA Signs and posters available from EPA And Gemplers And Gemplers

Questions?