virginia tech pesticide programs1 pesticide technology to reduce risk (liability) mike weaver,...

Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs 1

Pesticide Technology to Reduce Risk (Liability)

Mike Weaver, Coordinator

Pesticide Programs

Department of Entomology

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

July, 2002


Factors That Increase Risk Toxicity

» chemicals» physical conditions» human health factors

Exposure (handler)» mixing/loading» application» cleanup» storage/transport» disposal

Exposure (workers/public)» entering treated areas» movement off site» transport» mix/load/storage sites» disposal» spills » exposure to treated crops


Areas Where Growers Can Reduce Their Risks

Toxicity» less toxic pesticides» non-chemical alternatives» rate, dilution, formulation

Exposure (handler)» use PPE» use of advanced

packaging systems » implement advanced

handling systems

Exposure (workers/public)» control access» control runoff/leaching/drift» change transportation

factors» mix/load/storage sites

BMP’s» minimize waste» be prepared to handle spills » avoid harvesting


Today’s Topics Disposal and waste minimization Advanced handling technology

» systems to reduce exposure, drift, waste

Discussion of registered products based on:» toxicity» reduced risk formulations and packaging» alternatives

Choosing personal protective equipment (PPE)


Disposal Basics

Avoid excess stored inventories

Minimize excess pesticides and rinsates

Avoid the need to dispose of pesticide containers as wastes


Disposal Methods

Storage Reuse Remediation Recycling Burial Incineration


Excess Pesticides

Buy only what you need for one season Calculate dilutions carefully Use all mixed pesticide as labeled Apply excess mix as labeled on site

» can’t exceed rate and frequency» comply with application directions

Return or give away excess products Add rinsates to tank


Pesticide Wastes Excess pesticides and rinsates

must be disposed of as wastes Sanitary landfills will take rinsed

containers only Store wastes

» under RCRA guidelines– small hazardous waste generator

2.2lbs. (acute) / 2,300 lbs/month farmer exemptions

Have wastes hauled» commercial haulers


Containers

Use refillable or returnable containers

Recycle or recondition containers

Use soluble packaging


Container Design

Redesigned to reduce spills and enhance handling» no-”glug” openings» reduced weight» impact resistant» measure and pour spouts» closed systems» elimination of traditional

containers


Container Contents Low rate technology

» ounces/acre» smaller containers

Reduced risk pesticides» lower toxicity» more flexible handling» reduce number of

containers» may eliminate some

products as hazardous waste


Returnable/Refillable Paks

Mini-bulks and small volume returnables» ag. and specialty» 15-110 gallon

– Novartis FarmPak/TurfPak

– Aqumix 15 gallon dilute or concentrate closed systems rights-of-way industry


Recyclable and Reconditionable Containers

Must be properly rinsed» metal» plastic

– chipped and recycled

Drums» 30 and 55 gallon» return to dealer» reconditioning» reuse


Soluble Containers

Vinyl-alcohol water soluble films» Water soluble “paks”» Gel paks» Effervescent tablets» Biodegradable containers» Bag-in-bag

Impregnated fabrics and plastics


Water Soluble Paks

Reduced packaging» paper outer shell» non-hazardous waste

Water soluble pouch» polyvinyl alcohol

Dry formulations» water dispersible granules (WDG)» wettable or soluble powders (WP or SP)


Gel Paks

Reduced packaging» water soluble pouch» supports mixtures» non-hazardous waste

Liquid formulation» gel

– sensitive to impact– water soluble– self-sealing


Effervescent Tablets

Scored tablets» cut dosages

Dissolve in mix water Prescribed amounts

» no mixing and loading of concentrates


Impregnated Fabrics/Plastics

Contained in pockets on plastic or synthetic landscape fabric

Used as mulches to inhibit weed growth

Slow release from pockets


Handling Rinsates and Reducing Wastes

Triple rinsing (10-30-3) Probes and Jets

» jet rinsers» siphon/rinse probes» tank rinsers» container rinsers

Closed systems Injection systems Portable sumps


Jet Rinsers

Accepted alternative to triple rinsing

Inexpensive Very efficient

» speeds up rinsing» saves chemical» saves time» saves money


Probes

Siphon/rinse probes» closed system (part)» measure concentrates» eliminate mix/load

process» reduce chance of waste

and spills


Tank and Container Rinsers

Tank rinsers» internal to tank» more efficient» saves time and cleans

more efficiently

Container rinsers» designed to rinse larger

containers» does not puncture

container


Closed Systems

Eliminate manual mixing/loading process

Reduce exposure to concentrates

Reduce waste of concentrates

Reduce spill potential


Closed Systems - Small Systems and Backpack

Sprayers

Nomix/Monsanto Expedite System» pre-packaged product (no mixing or handling)

– self-sealing, no waste, refillable containers five different herbicides


Closed Systems - Small Systems and Backpack

Sprayers

Nomix/Monsanto Expedite System» backpack sprayer

– reduced drift nozzles chemistry


Systems to Reduce Drift

Low drift nozzles Spray shields Low boom height Proper use

» low wind speeds» low pressures» selection of formulations

with low drift potential


Injection Systems

Closed system Computer-controlled

mixing and calibration No large tank of diluted

chemical » in-line mixing

Tank mixes Eliminates waste and

saves time


Portable Sumps

Decontamination sites Up to 33 linear feet of work

area and 1,465 gallon sumps

Eliminate spills and runoff from load/fill sites

Comply with existing and future disposal regulations


Summary - Affecting Exposure

Reduced risk handling systems» formulations and packaging eliminate handling

concentrates and mixing» containers reduce spills and accidents» closed systems and computer controlled systems

reduce fatigue and mistakes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

» still the best way to reduce exposure


Summary - Affecting Toxicity

Reduced risk pesticide products» low toxicity compounds» new registrations (many post 1993)» most biologicals and low rate products» formulations and packaging


Virginia Registered Products

Products registered specifically in Virginia» not all inclusive» does not imply other products are illegal

notice low risk products in list» WSP, WSB, Dry-Pak, ChemPaks, » G, RTU, WDG» IGR, phermones, milky spore, B.t.

virginia tech pesticide programs1 pesticide technology to reduce risk (liability) mike weaver,...

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