Pesticide Safety and your Behavior MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM Pesticide Poisoning is common in Montana. 31% of private applicators surveyed have.
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Transcript Pesticide Safety and your Behavior MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM Pesticide Poisoning is common in Montana. 31% of private applicators surveyed have.
Pesticide Safety and your
Behavior
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM
2014
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?
Do you wear PPE that is required on the product label while applying
pesticides?
Wear required
PPE while
applying
pesticides
11%
42%
Do not wear
required PPE
while applying
pesticides
47%
While applying
pesticides, did
not know what
was on the
product label
Are their reasons why we may not be protecting themselves?
What is the final and 4th 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
Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.
Caution (Category IV) You can drink the stuff
Signal Word?
The focus on only acute toxicity.
Agent Orange
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 with
soft-tissue sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
Hodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Agent White Compound
4:1 mixture of 2,4-D and
picloram
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
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover!
1896 – 1985!
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 http://aghealth.nih.gov/
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.
Did you remove gloves while
repairing equipment?
9%
2%
19%
70%
Removed gloves while repairing equipment.
Wore gloves while repairing equipment.
Never wore gloves to begin with.
Gloves were not recommended on the product label.
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.
www.greenbook.net
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 10 - 25
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
NO!
YES!
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
Do your workers
need to suit up?
Agricultural
Use Requirements
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
406-994-5067
[email protected]
Web Address: www.pesticides.montana.edu