Pesticide Safety and your Behavior Montana State University Pesticide Safety Education Program 2010

Evolution of Pesticide Safety DDT!

Biomagnification

Precipitated EPA Civil and Criminal Penalties Punishments for violations. Fines Loss of license incarceration Examples Selling a RUP to a person not certified Giving pesticides away Use a pesticide inconsistent with its label Altering a pesticide label Failure to keep records or allow inspection

LAWS versus Safety

Examples of what veteran applicators see in the field

Do you see any problems with this picture?

What is the final and 4 th mode of entry of pesticides?

Mode of Entry

Have you smoked or taken a pinch of chew during a pesticide application? 1. Yes 2. No 0 of 5

Compare yourself to previous surveys across Montana. 1/5 applicators surveyed smoked or chewed during application of pesticides in Montana. Chewing and smoking while applying pesticides increases exposure to pesticides and may result in pesticide poisoning.

Have you eaten during the mixing or application of pesticides? 1. Yes 2. No 0 5

Compare yourself to previous surveys across Montana. Alarmingly, 25% of applicators surveyed ingested food while applying pesticides without washing hands prior! This increases exposure dramatically and may be extremely dangerous. This may lead to acute or chronic pesticide poisoning.

ANY OTHER BAD HABITS?

Did you remove gloves while repairing equipment? 1. Removed gloves while repairing equipment. 2. Wore gloves while repairing equipment. 3. Never wore gloves to begin with. 4. Gloves were not recommended on the product label. 0 5

Compare yourself to previous surveys across Montana. 70% of all applicators surveyed removed gloves at some point in their career while repairing spray equipment. 9% never wore gloves to begin with.

ABC’s of exposure Are you being exposed to pesticides by not wearing PPE? Can you transfer this to your family?

OK, you are contaminated. So what! How toxic is it?

Reading the product label can help you! *It can minimize risk towards yourself or your family. HOW DO YOU FIND OUT HOW TOXIC YOUR PESTICIDE PRODUCT IS?

Signal Word

SIGNAL WORD = Acute Toxicity Acute Toxicity Testing is required by the Environmental Protection Agency for: Each active ingredient For inert ingredients Usually uses rats over a short period of time Very expensive process

LD50 Lethal dose at which 50% of a given population develops lethal effects Expressed in parts per million You have an LD50 of 100 parts per million with one chemical and a LD50 of 10,000 parts per million with another. Which one is more toxic? 100 parts per million; takes less to produce a toxic effect

Signal Words / LD50 Caution (Category IV)  You can drink the stuff Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.

Gordon Shrum – Cochair BC Hydro Agent White Compound Agent Orange 4:1 mixture of 2,4-D and picloram 1:1 mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T Produces dioxins – carcinogen The National Toxicology Program has classified TCDD to be a human carcinogen, frequently associated withcarcinogen soft-tissue sarcomasoft-tissue sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's diseaseHodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).chronic lymphocytic leukemia 1896 – 1985!

Chronic Toxicity Long Term Exposure Many repeated low dose exposures Definition EPA mandates testing for chronic toxicity of: Active ingredients Usually on rats This is very expensive Chronic toxicity statements are placed on the product label (carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive damage, etc..)

Some of our “Safest” chemicals Chronic Affects Evident Immune system problems Sores, Rashes

Have you ever been effected by pesticides? 1. No 2. Yes, mild Symptoms 3. Yes, missed Work 4. Yes, went to Dr.

Compare yourself to previous surveys across Montana. 31% of private applicators surveyed have been at least mildly poisoned by unnecessary exposure to pesticides. Always minimize bad habits while wearing recommended PPE to minimize exposure.

Do you wear PPE that is required on the product label while applying pesticides? 0 of 5 1. Wear recommended PPE while applying pesticides 2. Do not wear recommended PPE while applying pesticides 3. When spraying I did not know what was recommended on the product label.

Compare yourself to previous surveys across Montana. 47% of applicators do not wear required PPE. 1 in 10 applicators do not even know the product label requirements on PPE.

Protecting Yourself: How and Why? Where do you find out about your pesticides toxicity, inherent dangers, and personal protective equipment you should use when handling pesticides.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment Chemically Resistant Suits Gloves, Footwear, Aprons, and Headgear. Protective Eyewear Respirators Distributors Airgas.com Gemplers.com Local Farm Supply

Unlaminated Tyvek Suits Nonwoven: 100% Polyethylene Excellent dry particulate resistance. Resists low-level liquid aerosols and low concentrations of water-based chemicals (liquid splash back). Price: $4 - $8 / suit Packs of 25 – 60 Disposable Signal Word: CAUTION

Coated / Laminate Suits WARNING / DANGER PVC, Nitrile, Rubber Tychem® sealed seems. Non-breathable Do not use rain suits with cotton liners Tychem SL: Price: $10 - $50 Packs of

Gloves Want unlined gloves! Nitrile, Neoprene, PVC Do Not Wear Leather Gloves! Do Not Wear Latex gloves! Check for holes often! Want 14 mils or higher! Price: $1 - $5 / nitrile

Eyewear Goggles Face Shields Safety Glasses But never wear contacts when spraying pesticides!!! Prices: $2 - $8

Respirators Read Product Label Particulate masks (dusts, granules) The one-strap dust mask is not NIOSH approved. When pesticide label recommends a dust filter this is not acceptable. For nuisance-level dusts. Generally, two-strap respirators with exhale valves are not for pesticide spraying but are acceptable for application of pesticide dusts and granules. Always read the pesticide label for product-specific recommendations. Cartridge Type Respirators (pesticide vapors) Fitted face piece and replaceable filters Not for fumigants Prefix of NIOSH/MSHA “TC” Cartridges should be replaced annually and stored in ziplock bags Cartridges usually labeled for use with ORGANIC VAPORS Follow product label Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Manure Pit with methane and hydrogen sulfide Anyhydrous Ammonia Grain Fumigants Special Medical Certification Needed NO! YES!

Contact Information Contact your Local Extension Office or the MSU Pesticide Safety Education Program Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist Web Address: