Pesticide Spills Prevent…Prepare…React

Consequences of Spills Loss of time and money Loss of time and money –Man hours spent on spill clean up –Disposal costs –Crop damage –Replacement costs for spilled chemicals –Legal costs, fines

Consequences of Spills Environmental contamination Environmental contamination –Soil –Groundwater or surface water Applicator Exposure Applicator Exposure Exposure to other humans, wildlife, livestock Exposure to other humans, wildlife, livestock

Prevent Pesticide Spills Through Proper: Through Proper: –Storage –Transportation –Equipment Maintenance –Mixing –Application

Pesticide Storage

Pesticide Storage?

Site storage facilities: Away from sensitive areas such as waterways or wells Away from sensitive areas such as waterways or wells Distant from homes and animals Distant from homes and animals Dry and cool Dry and cool Locked up with a warning sign Locked up with a warning sign Used only for pesticides Used only for pesticides Ventilated Ventilated

Other Considerations Always store pesticides in original containers Always store pesticides in original containers Containers on sturdy shelves or pallets Containers on sturdy shelves or pallets Inspect containers often for small leaks Inspect containers often for small leaks Keep cleanup materials, spill kit nearby Keep cleanup materials, spill kit nearby Post important numbers to report spills Post important numbers to report spills Keep empty drums or plastic bags handy to contain spills Keep empty drums or plastic bags handy to contain spills

Transporting Pesticides— Which is best?

When transporting pesticides… Use the back of truck, not inside cab Use the back of truck, not inside cab Keep tied down or braced Keep tied down or braced Cover to keep dry Cover to keep dry Do not transport with feed or other materials Do not transport with feed or other materials Never leave unattended Never leave unattended

Mixing Pesticides

Before you begin… Read the label! Read the label! Note personal protective equipment you need to wear Note personal protective equipment you need to wear Note numbers for help in case of spill Note numbers for help in case of spill Proper mixing procedure Proper mixing procedure

Protect Yourself

Before you mix chemicals Check equipment, valves for leaks with water only Check equipment, valves for leaks with water only Mix on a level surface away from sensitive soil or water Mix on a level surface away from sensitive soil or water

Prepare for Pesticide Spills Pesticide Spill Kits Pesticide Spill Kits

Protective Equipment

Barricades

Confinement Materials

Cleanup Materials

Decontamination Materials

Miscellaneous Supplies Permanent marking pens Permanent marking pens Emergency Information & Phone numbers: Emergency Information & Phone numbers: –Fire Department 911 –Local Emergency Management Office –Chemtrec # –DEP or EPA if water supplies impacted

Reacting to a Spill Control it… Control it… Contain it… Contain it… Clean it up! Clean it up!

Spills—Immediate Steps Do whatever you can to stop the spill Do whatever you can to stop the spill Isolate area—keep people, animals away with barricade tape Isolate area—keep people, animals away with barricade tape If indoors, ventilate area If indoors, ventilate area Keep ignition sources away from flammables Keep ignition sources away from flammables STOP – If spill involves more than 2 products, or if you have any doubts, contact the pesticide manufacturer STOP – If spill involves more than 2 products, or if you have any doubts, contact the pesticide manufacturer

Spill Steps continued Make sure you have all protective equipment on Make sure you have all protective equipment on Ready fire fighting equipment if spill is flammable Ready fire fighting equipment if spill is flammable If liquid—absorb until dry. Contain liquids around edges, mound dirt to contain from water sources. If liquid—absorb until dry. Contain liquids around edges, mound dirt to contain from water sources.

Spill Steps continued If dry chemical, sweep to the center and carefully place spilled products in disposable containers. If windy, wet dry chemicals with spray bottle. If dry chemical, sweep to the center and carefully place spilled products in disposable containers. If windy, wet dry chemicals with spray bottle. Scrub spilled area with concentrated detergent using a broom. If carbamate or organophosphate insecticide, use 30 % bleach OR hydrated lime. Use more absorbent material to remove cleanup materials. Scrub spilled area with concentrated detergent using a broom. If carbamate or organophosphate insecticide, use 30 % bleach OR hydrated lime. Use more absorbent material to remove cleanup materials.

Soil Contamination Soil saturated with pesticides has to be removed, usually the top 3 inches. Soil saturated with pesticides has to be removed, usually the top 3 inches. Contaminated soil needs to be put in with other waste and labeled. Contaminated soil needs to be put in with other waste and labeled. Dispose of contaminated soil at a proper disposal site. Dispose of contaminated soil at a proper disposal site. Cover the area with 2 inches of lime; cover lime with fresh topsoil Cover the area with 2 inches of lime; cover lime with fresh topsoil

Water Contamination Pesticide spills into streams or other waterways must be reported to: Pesticide spills into streams or other waterways must be reported to: –PA DEP –PA Fish and Boating Commission –PA DOA –US EPA ( )

Final Cleanup Dispose of sweepings, broken containers, brooms, other contaminated waste in accordance with local laws Dispose of sweepings, broken containers, brooms, other contaminated waste in accordance with local laws Make sure waste is labeled with contents Make sure waste is labeled with contents Wash all protective equipment properly. Wash all protective equipment properly.