MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM 2014 Pesticide Safety and your Behavior

Pesticide Poisoning is common in Montana. 31% of private applicators surveyed have been at least mildly poisoned by exposure to pesticides. Always minimize bad habits while wearing recommended PPE to minimize exposure.

Are Montana applicators protecting themselves from Pesticides?

Are their reasons why we may not be protecting themselves?

What is the final and 4 th mode of entry of pesticides?

Mode of Entry

Applicators also focus on Acute Toxicity Acute Toxicity Testing is required by the Environmental Protection Agency for:  Each active ingredient  For inert ingredients Usually uses rats over a short period of time Very expensive process Relates to the signal word.  Relates to the LD50

LD50 Lethal dose at which 50% of a given population develops lethal effects  Expressed in parts per million You have an LD50 of 100 parts per million with one chemical and a LD50 of 10,000 parts per million with another. Which one is more toxic? 100 parts per million; takes less to produce a toxic effect

Signal Words / LD50 Caution (Category IV)  You can drink the stuff Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.

Signal Word?

The focus on only acute toxicity. Agent Orange Agent White Compound 4:1 mixture of 2,4-D and picloram 1:1 mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T Produces dioxins – carcinogen The National Toxicology Program has classified dioxins as a human carcinogen, frequently associated withcarcinogen soft-tissue sarcomasoft-tissue sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's diseaseHodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).chronic lymphocytic leukemia 1896 – 1985!

Did he prove that drinking picloram is not associated with detrimental health effects? No!  Not a replicated study  Actual dose unknown  Did this contain the inert ingredients  Didn’t assess delayed or chronic toxicity 1896 – 1985! Don’t judge a book by it’s cover!

Chronic Toxicity Long Term Exposure  Many repeated low dose exposures Definition EPA mandates testing for chronic toxicity of:  Active ingredients  Must classify inert ingredients into 1 of 4 categories Usually on rats This is very expensive Chronic toxicity statements are placed on the product label (carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive damage, etc..)

Some of our “Safest” chemicals Chronic Affects Evident  Immune system problems  Sores, Rashes

New: Ag. Health Study Participants: 90,000 people Certified Pesticide Applicators and Spouses  IOWA:  31,877 farmers  21,771 farm spouses  4,916 commercial applicators  NORTH CAROLINA  20,518 farmers  10,567 farm spouses Navigate to

Respiratory Health Wheezing (airways in lungs are narrowed) associated with…  Pesticides (Paraquat, parathion, malathion, chlorpyrifos, atrazine, alachlor, EPTC)

Parkinsons Disease and Pesticide Use Applicators have up to twice the risk of Parkinsons Disease  Used pesticides more than 400 days in their lifetime.  Strongly associated with paraquat use.

More bad habits…. 70% of all applicators surveyed removed gloves at some point in their career while repairing spray equipment. 9% never wore gloves to begin with.

Protecting Yourself: How and Why? Where do you find out about your pesticides toxicity, inherent dangers, and personal protective equipment you should use when handling pesticides.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment Chemically Resistant Suits Gloves, Footwear, Aprons, and Headgear. Protective Eyewear Respirators Distributors  Airgas.com  Gemplers.com  Local Farm Supply

Unlaminated Tyvek Suits Nonwoven: 100% Polyethylene  Excellent dry particulate resistance. Resists low-level liquid aerosols and low concentrations of water-based chemicals (liquid splash back). Price: $4 - $8 / suit  Packs of 25 – 60 Disposable Signal Word: CAUTION

Coated / Laminate Suits WARNING / DANGER PVC, Nitrile, Rubber Tychem®  sealed seems. Non-breathable Do not use rain suits with cotton liners Tychem SL:  Price: $10 - $50  Packs of

Gloves Want unlined gloves! Nitrile, Neoprene, PVC Do Not Wear Leather Gloves! Do Not Wear Latex gloves! Check for holes often! Want 14 mils or higher!  Price: $1 - $5 / nitrile

Eyewear Goggles Face Shields Safety Glasses But never wear contacts when spraying pesticides!!! Prices: $2 - $8

Respirators Particulate masks (dusts, granules)  The one-strap dust mask is not NIOSH approved. When pesticide label recommends a dust filter this is not acceptable. For nuisance-level dusts.  Generally, two-strap respirators with exhale valves are not for pesticide spraying but are acceptable for application of pesticide dusts and granules. Always read the pesticide label for product-specific recommendations. Cartridge Type Respirators (pesticide vapors)  Fitted face piece and replaceable filters  Not for fumigants  Prefix of NIOSH/MSHA “TC”  Cartridges should be replaced annually and stored in ziplock bags  Cartridges usually labeled for use with ORGANIC VAPORS  Follow product label Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)  Manure Pit with methane and hydrogen sulfide  Anyhydrous Ammonia  Grain Fumigants  Special Medical Certification Needed NO! YES!

Agricultural Use Requirements Do your workers need to suit up?

Conclusion True hazard is a product of toxicity and exposure Understand your products acute and chronic toxicity by reading label. Understand that some pesticides can effect an applicator years after exposure. Minimize exposure! Wear personal protective equipment as indicated on the product label. Dose makes the poison; reduce exposure

Contact Information MSU Pesticide Safety Education Program Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist Web Address: