1. August 2008 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

2. August 2008 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

3. August 2008 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

4. August 2008 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)

5. August 2008 Disposal Basics Avoid excess stored inventories Minimize excess pesticides and rinsates Avoid the need to dispose of pesticide containers as wastes

6. August 2008 Disposal Methods Storage Reuse Remediation Recycling Burial Incineration

7. August 2008 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

8. August 2008 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

9. August 2008 Containers Use refillable or returnable containers Recycle or recondition containers Use soluble packaging

10. August 2008 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

11. August 2008 Container Contents Low rate technology –ounces/acre –smaller containers Reduced risk pesticides –lower toxicity –more flexible handling –reduce number of containers –may eliminate some products as hazardous waste

12. August 2008 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

13. August 2008 Recyclable and Reconditionable Containers Must be properly rinsed –metal –plastic chipped and recycled Drums –30 and 55 gallon –return to dealer –reconditioning –reuse

14. August 2008 Soluble Containers Vinyl-alcohol water soluble films –Water soluble “paks” –Gel paks –Effervescent tablets –Biodegradable containers –Bag-in-bag Impregnated fabrics and plastics

15. August 2008 Water Soluble Paks Reduced packaging –paper outer shell –non-hazardous waste Water soluble pouch –polyvinyl alcohol Dry formulations –water dispersible granules (WDG) –wettable or soluble powders (WP or SP)

16. August 2008 Gel Paks Reduced packaging –water soluble pouch –supports mixtures –non-hazardous waste Liquid formulation –gel sensitive to impact water soluble self-sealing

17. August 2008 Effervescent Tablets Scored tablets –cut dosages Dissolve in mix water Prescribed amounts –no mixing and loading of concentrates

18. August 2008 Impregnated Fabrics/Plastics Contained in pockets on plastic or synthetic landscape fabric Used as mulches to inhibit weed growth Slow release from pockets

19. August 2008 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

20. August 2008 Jet Rinsers Accepted alternative to triple rinsing Inexpensive Very efficient –speeds up rinsing –saves chemical –saves time –saves money

21. August 2008 Probes Siphon/rinse probes –closed system (part) –measure concentrates –eliminate mix/load process –reduce chance of waste and spills

22. August 2008 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

23. August 2008 Closed Systems Eliminate manual mixing/loading process Reduce exposure to concentrates Reduce waste of concentrates Reduce spill potential

24. August 2008 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

25. August 2008 Closed Systems - Small Systems and Backpack Sprayers Nomix/Monsanto Expedite System –backpack sprayer reduced drift –nozzles –chemistry

26. August 2008 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

27. August 2008 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

28. August 2008 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

29. August 2008 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

30. August 2008 Summary - Affecting Toxicity Reduced risk pesticide products –low toxicity compounds –new registrations (many post 1993) –most biologicals and low rate products –formulations and packaging

31. August 2008 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.