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 Reduced risk pesticides 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 Water soluble pouch 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 Liquid formulation water soluble pouch supports mixtures non-hazardous waste Liquid formulation gel sensitive to impact water soluble self-sealing

Effervescent Tablets Scored tablets Dissolve in mix water 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.