HEALTH HAZARD PESTICIDES AND CHEMICALS ON THE FARM

Learning Objectives Understand pesticides Identify common farmstead chemicals Determine the difference between chronic & acute toxicity Discuss exposure routes of chemicals Identify Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Examine signs of pesticide poisoning Look at first aid treatment Recognize proper storage and disposal practices

What are Pesticides? Pesticides are designed to kill or control living organisms Pesticides can also harm or kill people Pesticides vary in toxicity to man from very mild to extremely toxic Important to –Have knowledge of the relative toxicity –Understand how pesticide exposure occurs

Farmstead Chemicals Dairy farm: –Work involves using cleansers and sanitizers. –Acid rinses, alkaline compounds, chlorine, and iodine materials are commonly found on farms. –These can damage skin and produce toxic fumes.

Farmstead Chemicals Livestock center: –Work parallels the work of the dairy industry. –Animal medications mixed into the animals drinking water are used. –Foot bath chemicals are mixed to treat foot health problems.

Farmstead Chemicals Field crops: –Work with pesticide application. –Hauling fertilizer and lime is a dusty chore. –Those particulates can create respiratory health risks and skin irritations.

Anhydrous Ammonia Anhydrous ammonia is a powerful source of nitrogen containing 82% nitrogen. Nitrogen solutions are caustic. Caustic chemicals can burn plant and human tissues. Stored under pressure

Farmstead Chemicals Farm equipment: –Farm equipment becomes greasy and dirt-covered. –Degreasers and solvents may be needed to clean the parts. –Hydro sulfuric acid will be encountered while servicing a battery –Fuels, oils, and antifreeze can also be hazardous if used incorrectly.

Chronic & Acute Toxicity Chronic Toxicity –Long term Acute Toxicity –Immediate –Within 24 hours

Chronic Effects Carcinogenicity-cancer Mutagenicity-genetic changes Teratogenicity- birth defects Oncogenicity-tumor growth (not necessarily cancers) Liver damage Reproductive disorders-sperm count, sterility, miscarriage Nerve damage Allergenic sensitization

Acute Effects Immediate “poisoning” or harm Based on LD50 values (“Lethal Dose”) Most sensitive route determines the Signal Word

Danger Danger is taste to 50 mg/kg Warning Warning is mg/kg Caution Caution is > 500 mg/kg Exposure: Signal Words

Ag Pesticide Exposure Chemical exposure can occur in four ways: –Oral (mouth) –Dermal (skin) –Inhalation (lungs) –Ocular (eyes) Exposure to agricultural chemicals can be minimized by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Exposure: Dermal The majority of all pesticide exposures are dermal Can occur from: –wearing inadequate personal protective equipment –not washing hands –splashing or spraying pesticides on unprotected skin; –wearing pesticide-contaminated clothing (including PPE) –applying pesticides in windy weather –touching pesticide-treated surfaces

Exposure: Eye Common when: –Mixing pesticides –Whenever the potential for splashing exists –Applying pesticides in windy weather –Rubbing eyes or forehead with contaminated gloves or hands

Exposure: Inhalation Typically occurs: –When using fine dusts and mists –Breathing vapors, dust, or mist –Mixing and loading concentrates while handling pesticides –Drift –Re-entering an area too soon –Lung exposure is the fastest way to the bloodstream

Exposure: Oral Ingestion through the mouth –Not washing hands before eating, or drinking –Putting contaminated items and hands in or near mouth - such as food or cigarettes –Splashing into mouth through carelessness or accident

Signs of Pesticide Poisoning Skin rash Swelling or burns Nausea, vomiting Diarrhea, stomach cramps Headache, dizziness Excessive sweating, chills Chest pains Difficulty breathing Muscle cramps or aches

First Aid Remove victim from pesticide Keep yourself safe Seek immediate medical help Check label for information Take label to doctor

Personal Protective Equipment For an effective protective barrier: –Choose the correct PPE –Clean and maintain it correctly –Use it correctly

Pesticide Storage Separate building or cabinet Well identified with signs Post the storage area appropriately to deter accidental exposure. Example: “Danger--Pesticides--Keep Out” Also post “No Smoking” signs and do not allow smoking near the storage area.

Storage Areas Have no drain, or drain is plugged Store away from food, feed, seed and fertilizer This is Ohio Pesticide Law Storage areas should have: – Non-porous flooring & shelving – Supplies for spill management – Safety equipment

Pesticide Containers Keep pesticides in original container Keep label firmly attached Check for damaged containers

Storage Practices Liquids stored beneath dry products Separate areas for herbicides & insecticides Moisture controls Temperature controls

Disposal As an applicator you have two disposal problems: –You must safely dispose of surplus pesticides concentrated or tank mixed that you have no use for or cannot store. –You must safely dispose of empty pesticide containers. Never give empty containers away for any purpose Triple rinse containers Don’t reuse containers for something else Dispose of properly Burning: check the label Burial: NO!

Summary Variety of pesticides and chemicals on the farm Exposure Types: Dermal, Inhalation, Eye, Oral Properly store pesticides in a separate area with signs to indicate what is being stored there Environmental concerns include the effect wind and weather conditions have while using pesticides

For More Information OSU Ag Safety & Health The Ohio State University Ag Engineering Building 590 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, Ohio Phone: Website: agsafety.osu.edu

This project was supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Rural Health and Safety Education Grant Program- grant number