Dealing with Spills Do you know what to do if you spill a hazardous product? Introduce your self Provide: Name Title and where you work Brief description of the MGSP Cooperative effort of MSUE, MDA, NRCS, Americorps Funded by user fee on pesticides and N fertilizers Money provides technical assistance, education, and cost share. Safe Pesticide Storage How and where to keep hazardous materials in the house to prevent accidental exposure to people and to water.

Problems If spills are not cleaned up they can contaminate Water Soil Contamination can include: Fertilizer Pesticides Bacteria Sediment Oil or gasoline Contaminants bypass the natural filtering process and directly enter groundwater. Chemicals do not break down as quickly in the groundwater as on the soil surface because there are fewer bacteria and cooler temperatures. Contaminants can also bypass confining layers through abandoned wells Abandoned wells may allow groundwater to travel from a contaminated aquifer to an uncontaminated aquifer. People and animals may be hurt or killed or equipment damaged if they fall down an old well.

The 4 C’s of spills Caution Control Contain Clean-up Use the 4 C’s to help you remember what to do in case of an accidental spill

Caution Assess the danger Safety equipment Call emergency if beyond your ability to control The first thing you should do is use caution. You don’t want to accidentally expose yourself to any hazardous materials. Assess the danger – How dangerous is the product, where is it, where might the product go? Always use safety equipment like chemically resistant gloves and long sleeve shirts and long pants. Other useful safety equipment includes goggles or masks for vapors or fine powders. If it is beyond your ability to control contact emergency services. For example if the lawn service truck flips in front of your house. (More likely in agriculture or in business related spills)

Control and Contain Stop spill or leak Prevent contaminant from entering soil or water Control (keep it from getting worse) Stop the spill (Upright tipped containers, place broken containers inside of buckets) Contain (Limit the spills ability to spread) Prevent loose product from entering soil or water (chemicals can leach into groundwater or enter surface water through storm drains) Pet litter, peat moss, soil, sawdust, newspaper, etc, can be used as absorbents to contain a spill

Clean Up Spills Capture wet spill with absorbent Sweep up captured product Use as directed or properly dispose of contaminated material Clean Up Dry spills can be swept up and can be used as directed Wet spills first need to be absorbed. The product can then be swept or shoveled up. Dispose through application at labeled rates or bag and dispose of at hazardous waste collection or regular trash.

Prevention Never leave sprayers or spreaders unattended when they contain a product Maintain equipment Ready to use products – No mixing Professional applicators Store products in a secure location Get rid of unused or unusable products Never leave sprayers or spreaders unattended when they contain a product – prevents tampering or accidents by children or pets. Maintain equipment – keeps leaks from accidental failure. Ready to use products – No mixing of chemicals, one less opportunity for a spill to occur. Professional applicators – Let someone else worry about it, professional applicators go through pesticide safety exam. Store products in a secure location – see storage brochure Get rid of unused or unusable products – see Clean Sweep brochure

Litter Here are the contents of a pesticide spill and storage kit. A complete kit may be assembled for as little as$15. Professional kits for farmers or businesses may cost over $100. Lockable storage container - $4-$25 – The container acts as secondary containment and is lockable to prevent access. Pet lietter - $1-$4 – The litter readily absorbs spilled liquids. Contaminated litter can be bagged and disposed of in your regular trash. Chemically resistant gloves - $3-$10 – A must for whenever you are handling hazardous chemicals. Best kinds are nitrile or neoprene and include wrist guards. Safety goggles - $3-$10 – Eyes are extremely sensitive to harsh chemicals. Goggles can prevent exposure due to splashes. Broom and Dustpan - $2-$4 – To sweep up spilled material Garbage bags - to easily dispose of spilled material. Locks - $3-$15 – To lock the container

For more information Michigan State University Pesticide Education – www.ipm.msu.edu/pesticide_education_safety