Transcript Pesticide Safety Update

Pesticide Safety Update
Brian Jones
Agronomy Extension Agent
February 2, 2009
SAFETY FIRST?
Outline
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Restricted use pesticides
Label comprehension
Risk management
Personal protective equipment
Pesticide Classification
General Use
Restricted Use
Restricted Use Pesticides
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For use only by certified applicators
or by persons under the direct
supervision of a certified applicator.
Designates products that could pose:
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acute toxicity threat to humans & wildlife
ground water contamination concern
threat to aquatic organisms
Pesticide Applicator
Classification
Private
Commercial
What Can Certified
Applicators Do?
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Private Applicators
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Registered Technicians
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Apply Restricted Use on own property for
crop production
Apply general use pesticides
Apply Restricted Use pesticides under “direct
supervision” of a Commercial Applicator
Commercial Applicators
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Apply Restricted Use pesticides in that
category
Questions?
What are Your
Responsibilities?
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READ AND OBEY THE LABEL
Understand what your certification allows
Keep records of RUP applications or sales
Report “incidents” to OPS in 48 hours
Keep OPS informed of your address and
employer changes, and Read Your Mail!
The Label is the LAW!
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The pesticide product label is a
binding legal agreement between
three parties:
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US Environmental Protection Agency,
product registrant, and
product user.
What is the “labeling”?
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Instructions and directions located on
the product.
Other instructions and directions that
accompany the product.
Specialized instructions and directions
in separate documents referred to on
the label.
Label Information
Brand
Name
Active
Ingredients
Inert Ingredients
Label Information
It’s critical that applicators understand
and follow these statements!
Label Information
Manufacturer’s
Address
EPA Registration
Number
Signal Words
Signal Words
QUESTIONS?
Hazard* = Toxicity x
Exposure
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Toxicity
 Capacity to cause
harm
 Nature of the
chemical
 Dose-related
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Exposure
 Dose
 Route
 Duration
 Frequency
*Hazard = Risk
RISKY
BUSINESS?
Making Pesticide Decisions
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Goal is to balance:
Lowest toxicity
 Lowest exposure
 Most effective pest management
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Toxic Effects May Occur:
During or soon after
exposure
After repeated
exposure over a
long time
2005
2004
2002
ACUTE
2003
CHRONIC
Toxicity Measure: LD50
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The LD50 is the dose of toxin that produces 50%
mortality in a test population.
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LD50 is usually expressed in milligrams of toxin
per kilogram of test animal body weight
(mg/kg).
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the lower the LD50 value, the more toxic the
substance
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the higher the LD50 value, the less toxic the
substance
Acute Toxicity Ratings
Signal Word
How Toxic
Oral LD50
(mg/kg)
Lethal
Dose (Adult)
Danger –
Poison 
Highly
0 - 50
Few drops
to 1 tsp
Warning
Moderately
50 - 500
1 – 2 tsp
Caution
Slightly
500 - 5000 1 oz – 1 pt
Caution
Almost nontoxic
> 5000
1 pt
Relative Toxicity, rat oral LD
50,
Least
toxic
Most
toxic
Alcohol
14,000
Glyphosate (Roundup) 5,600
Salt (sodium chloride)
3,000
Malathion
1,375
Acephate (Orthene)
945
Aspirin
750
Ammonia
350
Diazinon
300
Nicotine
50
Aldicarb (Temik) 0.93
Copper chelate
0.50
Botulinum toxin
0.00001
mg/kg
Caution
Warning
Danger
Poison
“The dose makes the poison”
QUESTIONS?
To Minimize Pesticide
Exposure:
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Use integrated pest management (IPM)
techniques to minimize pesticide use.
Select the safest, effective formulation.
Use a product with reduced concentration
of active ingredient.
Reduce rate of application to lowest
effective level.
Mix only enough pesticide to complete
assigned task.
To Minimize Pesticide
Exposure:
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Select an application method that
minimizes contact.
Wear all Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) stipulated on the label
Mixing pesticides usually requires more
PPE than applying.
Follow all safety precautions
on the label.
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
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The label is very specific about the PPE
required for mixing/loading, application, and
early entry.
Label lists PPE minimums. Can wear more.
Applicator is legally required to follow all
PPE instructions on label.
Long-sleeve shirt, long pants, waterproof
gloves, and shoes and socks are the
minimum PPE found on any agricultural
pesticide.
PPE: Eye Protection
Goggles or face shield
are required if label
calls for eye protection.
Face shield offers more
protection when mixing
and loading. A chemical
resistant hat is sometimes
specified on the label.
PPE: Respirators
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Reduces
exposure to
various dusts and
mists.
Label will specify
type of respirator.
PPE: Respirators
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Must be made for the pesticide - see
the label.
Make sure it fits correctly - no air gaps
Change cartridge frequently
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See manufacturer’s instructions
If not available, after 8 hours of use
Sooner if notice odor, etc.
Wash with soap and water after use
Store in plastic bag after washing
PPE: Coveralls
 “Coveralls” can be
reusable types (cotton or
blends) or disposable types
such as Tyvek or
Kleenguard.
The label will specify if
“chemical resistant coveralls”
(coated/ waterproof material)
are needed.
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Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE): Gloves
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Waterproof or
chemical resistant
Read the label to
determine correct
type
Never wear cotton,
leather, or canvas
Wear under cuff,
unless spraying
overhead
Natural Rubber
PPE:
Gloves
Barrier laminate
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Butyl Rubber
If the label says “waterproof”, you may choose
gloves made of rubber or synthetic materials.
If the label says “chemical resistant”, use barrier
laminate, butyl, nitrile, neoprene, or Viton ($$$).
Viton
Nitrile Rubber
Neoprene
PPE: Boots
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Choose knee-high rubber
or synthetic boots without
holes
Wear cuff on outside of
boot
Never wear leather
Cleaning Contaminated
Clothing
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Wash contaminated clothing daily.
Do not attempt to clean clothing
contaminated with undiluted pesticide throw away.
Prerinse, don’t crowd washer, use hot
water
Use long cycle & heavy duty liquid
detergent
Keep separate from other clothing
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QUESTIONS?
Thank You!