1. Prepared by Mark Bell, Mark Henderson and Frank Zalom with input from Ehsan Ehsanullah and Tom Brown

2. Course objectives Know key points in the application and safe use of pesticides Note: At the end, participants will take a review quiz to show they can recall all the key points. Support materials fact sheets and check lists, review quiz, 3. Course structure Pesticides Defining pests Defining pesticides Do I need to spray? About equipment? Safety 4. Safety Pesticide Label Be sure Crop is on the label. Pest is on the label. To follow label directions for mixing. To follow label directions for protective clothing. To check for other precautions (e.g., limitations on harvested produce). 5. Safety Pesticide Label About the label Signal words are "CAUTION, "WARNING," and "DANGER" (in order of increasing toxicity) Indicates the relative acute toxicity, or short-term effects, of the active ingredients to humans. They do not refer to long-term effects to humans nor do they indicate the effect on aquatic invertebrates. 6. Safety Pesticide Label About the label Active ingredient What is it? The active ingredient (a.i.) is the material in the pesticide formulation that actually destroys the target pest or performs the desired function. Pesticide labels are required by law to show the active ingredient and its percentage. 7. Safety Pesticide Label About the label Other (or inert) ingredients? Inert ingredients are all materials in the pesticide formulation other than the active ingredient. These ingredients do not work to control the pest, but help dissolve the active ingredient, improve or enhance pesticide activity. Some inert ingredients may be toxic or hazardous to humans. 8. Safety Pesticide Label About the label Trade names The trade name is any brand name that is used exclusively by one manufacturer for a product containing the pesticide chemical. There may be several trade names for a single product, thus making it confusing. Do not rely on brand names to identify pesticides. 9. Safety Pesticide Label Surfactants What is a surfactant? Added to decrease surface tension of the applied liquid to improve surface wetting and penetration of the product. Check the label - surfactants may be added or may come as already included in the product. 10. Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program Cornell Cooperative Extension 11. Safety Exposure Understand the dangers When can you be contaminated? How can you or others be contaminated? Where is absorption greatest? What does that mean for protecting yourself and others? Photo: USDA 12. Safety Dangers When are risks the highest for exposure? Spills and splashes (e.g. mixing) Spray drift and dust from pesticide application Skin contact with residues Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program Cornell Cooperative Extension 13. Safety Dangers Why is mixing so dangerous? Dealing with pure concentrated product Greater potential for spills during mixing Tips: Mix in a well ventilated area Wear protective equipment especially gloves, mask and closed shoes Stand up-wind when mixing Photo: Fintrac Inc. 14. Safety Dangers Mixing Keep a set of measuring equipment for use only with pesticides. Clearly label them as "PESTICIDE ONLY" Store them in a secure area away from food preparation areas. Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program Cornell Cooperative Extension 15. Safety Exposure Be aware of the where pesticides can enter the body. How can pesticides enter your body? through eyes Breathing entry into the lungs through the mouth through the skin Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 16. Safety - Exposure Note that there are differences in absorption through skin. Where is absorption greatest? Scrotum Ears Forehead and Scalp http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengi n/g01916.htm 17. Safety Exposure Another way at looking at absorption Note absorption through the armpit The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides UC IPM 18. Safety - Exposure What does this mean when applying in the field? Wear protective equipment Wash hands before going to the bathroom. Whats the difference between absorption on the forearm and forehead? When hot and sweaty, do you wipe your arm on your forehead? http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengi n/g01916.htm 19. Safety Protective Gear Personal Protective Equipment Minimum: rubber gloves, eye protection, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, mask, closed shoes Avoid using cotton gloves or lightweight dust masks that may absorb the spray and increase contact with skin. 20. Safety Protective Gear Is this person ready to apply pesticide? What is good? Has a hat and long sleeves What is not so good? No protection for eyes, mouth or hands. Shoes? Photo IDRC 21. Safety Protective Gear Equipment care: Goggles, boots and gloves Wash frequently. Use warm soapy water and a brush to clean most protective gear. Repair or replace any ripped or damaged gear. The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides UC IPM 22. Safety Protective Gear Equipment care: Clothes Do not re-wear contaminated clothes until they have been washed. Wash clothing used to apply pesticides separately from all other clothes. The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides UC IPM 23. Safety Good Practices Before you spray Check the label First put on all protective equipment Inspect sprayer and hose to ensure there are no leaks Check area to make sure there are no: People Pets/Livestock Check for ponds, streams, wells, other water sources. Photo: Ron Horii Santa Teresa County Park Dont spray near streams 24. Safety Good Practices Does water quality have any effect? Yes Rule of thumb: Use water only if you can see a coin dropped in the bottom of a bucket of water Photo IRRI 25. Safety Good Practices While Spraying As much as possible Spray away from the body Do not let yourself become soaked with pesticide Avoid walking through spray Stand upwind Avoid spraying straight overhead Be mindful of drift (wind carrying pesticide droplets) 26. Safety Good Practices Wash hands before: Eating Going to bathroom Smoking Do not wipe forearm on forehead when sweaty. Keep foods away from pesticides and sprayed areas. Keep covered. Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 Pesticide residue on persons hands seen under florescent light. Photo: International Potato Center 27. Safety Good Practices Take a shower as soon after application as possible. Wash clothing separately from other laundry. Never smoke, drink, eat, or use the bathroom after pesticide application without washing first. Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 28. Safety Cleaning Equipment When finished using sprayer Try to not have any excess pesticide in the tank. Rinse tank by running fresh water through the sprayers. Do not leave sprayer in the field. Do not allow equipment to sit for a long time with pesticide in the tank. This may clog or corrode the machine. 29. Safety Cleaning Equipment Rinse the outside of the sprayer thoroughly with water (avoiding the engine) Check pesticide label for clean up procedures Photo: Tim McCabe, USDA 30. Safety - Disposal What can be done about pesticide excess? Dont create any excess! Only mix the amount of pesticide that you need for the job. If you make excess try to use the pesticide on another appropriate site. Store in a clearly marked container for later use. Follow label guidelines for disposal. 31. Safety Disposal How about pouring excess pesticide down the drain? Absolutely NOT! Why? Ground water pollution River/aquatic pollution Diagram: USDS Picture: UC IPM 32. Safety - Disposal What to do about empty pesticide containers? Read the label Typically - Rinse 3 times Puncture the container (so it can not be reused) Dispose in a landfill or recycle Never use empty pesticide containers for other purposes (e.g. storing water). 33. Safety Disposal Diagram: Purdue Pesticide Program Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension Empty container into spray tank 34. Safety Disposal Diagram: Purdue Pesticide Program Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension Rinse container with water, shake, add to tank and repeat 35. Safety Disposal Diagram: Purdue Pesticide Program Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension Destroy and dispose of container 36. Safety Reentry into the field When is it safe to reenter the field after spraying (without protective gear)? When the plants are dry? No Check the pesticide label? Yes 37. Safety - Reentry Check for REI or the Restricted Entry Interval Sample Label Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 38. Safety - Reentry Post a sign so others will know not to enter the field during the Restricted Entry Interval. Photo: Forestry Suppliers Inc. 39. Safety Product marketing What may prevent you selling a product treated with pesticide? Application is too close to sale date. How can you be sure if you are okay? Read the label! Note any limitations in the country importing your product. 40. Safety Storage Store all chemicals in the original labeled containers Lock in cabinet or shed, away from food or feeds, and out of the reach of children, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock. Keep spraying and mixing equipment locked up as well. Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program Cornell Cooperative Extension 41. Safety Storage Children make up the largest non-agrarian pesticide victims Never store pesticides in unmarked or incorrect containers The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides UC IPM 42. Safety - Spills Pesticide spills can occur at any time First protect yourself, others, animals, and water sources Be sure to wear protective gear Control Stop the spill from continuing Contain Stop spill from spreading Use dirt to barricade a liquid pesticide Clean Up Do not hose down the spill. This will make the situation worse. Soak up liquid with saw dust, dirt, clay, etc. Sweep spill into plastic containers for later disposal. 43. What can be done during pesticide emergencies? Photo: Ambulancesimulator.com 44. Safety First Aid Symptoms Dizziness Headache, blurred vision Sweating too much Stomach cramps, vomiting Eye irritation Skin rashes Trouble breathing Chest pains Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 45. Safety First Aid If pesticide is in eyes, rinse immediately with clean water for about 15 minutes. If pesticide gets on clothing or skin take clothes off immediately and wash skin with soap and water. The faster you act, the less likely harm will occur. Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 46. Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 Safety First Aid Call the nearest place for medical care. All pesticide labels have emergency first aid information. Picture: Bayer CropScience Admire 2 label 47. Safety First Aid What should you do if pesticides are inhaled? First leave the contaminated area. Loosen clothing for better breathing. Give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if breathing has stopped. Try to calm down exposed person. Get immediate medical care. Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555 48. Safety First Aid What should you do if pesticide is swallowed? Follow labels instructions. Drink 1 liter of milk or water if person is conscious if the pesticide is not corrosive or petroleum based, induce vomiting. Get immediate medical care. 49. References UC IPM http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides. UC IPM Pesticide Safety for Small Farmers. A Growers Guide to Pesticide Safety. UC ANR Pesticide Safety: A Reference manual for Private Applicators. UC IPM 50. Prepared by Mark Bell, Mark Henderson and Frank Zalom with input from Ehsan Ehsanullah and Tom Brown