Pesticide Training Course UC Davis, Safety. Part 5 of 5
1. Prepared by Mark Bell, Mark Henderson and
Frank Zalom with input from
Ehsan Ehsanullah
and Tom Brown
2. Course objectives
Know key points in the application and safe use of
pesticides
Note: At the end, participants will take a review quiz to
show they can recall all the key points.
Support materials – fact sheets and check lists, review
quiz,
4. Safety – Pesticide Label
Be sure
Crop is on the label.
Pest is on the label.
To follow label directions for mixing.
To follow label directions for protective clothing.
To check for other precautions (e.g., limitations on
harvested produce).
5. Safety – Pesticide Label
About the label
Signal words are…
"CAUTION,“
"WARNING," and
"DANGER"
(in order of increasing toxicity)
Indicates the relative acute toxicity, or
short-term effects, of the active
ingredients to humans. They do not
refer to long-term effects to humans
nor do they indicate the effect on
aquatic invertebrates.
6. Safety – Pesticide Label
About the label
Active ingredient
What is it?
The active ingredient (a.i.) is the
material in the pesticide
formulation that actually destroys
the target pest or performs the
desired function. Pesticide labels
are required by law to show the
active ingredient and its
percentage.
7. Safety – Pesticide Label
About the label
Other (or inert) ingredients?
Inert ingredients are all materials
in the pesticide formulation other
than the active ingredient.
These ingredients do not work to
control the pest, but help dissolve
the active ingredient, improve or
enhance pesticide activity.
Some inert ingredients may be
toxic or hazardous to humans.
8. Safety – Pesticide Label
About the label
Trade names
The trade name is any brand name that
is used exclusively by one manufacturer
for a product containing the pesticide
chemical. There may be several trade
names for a single product, thus making
it confusing.
Do not rely on brand names to
identify pesticides.
9. Safety – Pesticide Label
Surfactants
What is a surfactant?
Added to decrease surface tension of the applied liquid
to improve surface wetting and penetration of the
product.
Check the label - surfactants may be added or may
come as already included in the product.
11. Safety – Exposure
Understand the dangers
When can you be
contaminated?
How can you or others be
contaminated?
Where is absorption greatest?
What does that mean for
protecting yourself and
others? Photo: USDA
12. Safety – Dangers
When are risks the highest for exposure?
Spills and splashes (e.g. mixing)
Spray drift and dust from pesticide application
Skin contact with residues
Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program
– Cornell Cooperative Extension
13. Safety – Dangers
Why is mixing so dangerous?
Dealing with pure concentrated product
Greater potential for spills during
mixing
Tips:
Mix in a well ventilated area
Wear protective equipment – especially
gloves, mask and closed shoes
Stand up-wind when mixing
Photo: Fintrac Inc.
14. Safety – Dangers
Mixing
Keep a set of measuring equipment
for use only with pesticides.
Clearly label them as "PESTICIDE
ONLY"
Store them in a secure area away
from food preparation areas.
Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program
– Cornell Cooperative Extension
15. Safety – Exposure
Be aware of the where pesticides
can enter the body.
How can pesticides enter your
body?
through eyes
Breathing – entry into the lungs
through the mouth
through the skin
Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
16. Safety - Exposure
Note that there are differences
in absorption through skin.
Where is absorption greatest?
Scrotum
Ears
Forehead and Scalp
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengi
n/g01916.htm
17. Safety – Exposure
Another way at
looking at
absorption
Note absorption
through the armpit
The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides – UC IPM
18. Safety - Exposure
What does this mean when
applying in the field?
Wear protective equipment
Wash hands before going to
the bathroom.
What’s the difference between
absorption on the forearm and
forehead?
When hot and sweaty, do you
wipe your arm on your
forehead? http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengi
n/g01916.htm
19. Safety – Protective Gear
Personal Protective
Equipment
Minimum:
rubber gloves,
eye protection,
long-sleeved shirt,
long pants,
mask,
closed shoes
Avoid using cotton gloves or lightweight dust masks
that may absorb the spray and increase contact with skin.
20. Safety – Protective Gear
Is this person ready to apply
pesticide?
What is good?
Has a hat and long sleeves
What is not so good?
No protection for eyes, mouth or
hands.
Shoes?
Photo IDRC
21. Safety – Protective Gear
Equipment care:
Goggles, boots and
gloves
Wash frequently.
Use warm soapy water
and a brush to clean
most protective gear.
Repair or replace any
ripped or damaged gear.
The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides – UC IPM
22. Safety – Protective Gear
Equipment care: Clothes
Do not re-wear
contaminated clothes
until they have been
washed.
Wash clothing used to
apply pesticides
separately from all other
clothes.
The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides – UC IPM
23. Safety – Good Practices
Before you spray…
Check the label
First put on all protective equipment
Inspect sprayer and hose to ensure
there are no leaks
Check area to make sure there are no:
People
Pets/Livestock
Check for ponds, streams, wells, other
water sources.
Photo: Ron Horii – Santa Teresa
County Park
Don’t spray near streams
24. Safety – Good Practices
Does water quality have any effect?
Yes
Rule of thumb: Use water only if you
can see a coin dropped in the bottom
of a bucket of water
Photo IRRI
25. Safety – Good Practices
While Spraying…
As much as possible
Spray away from the body
Do not let yourself become soaked with pesticide
Avoid walking through spray
Stand upwind
Avoid spraying straight overhead
Be mindful of drift (wind carrying pesticide
droplets)
26. Safety – Good Practices
Wash hands before:
Eating
Going to bathroom
Smoking
Do not wipe forearm on
forehead when sweaty.
Keep foods away from
pesticides and sprayed
areas. Keep covered.
Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
Pesticide
residue on
person’s hands
seen under
florescent light.
Photo: International Potato
Center
27. Safety – Good Practices
Take a shower as soon after application as possible.
Wash clothing separately from other laundry.
Never smoke, drink, eat, or use the bathroom after
pesticide application without washing first.
Pesticide Safety for Small Farms, UC ANR Pub. 21555
28. Safety – Cleaning Equipment
When finished using sprayer…
Try to not have any excess
pesticide in the tank.
Rinse tank by running fresh
water through the sprayers.
Do not leave sprayer in the
field.
Do not allow equipment to sit
for a long time with pesticide
in the tank. This may clog or
corrode the machine.
29. Safety – Cleaning Equipment
Rinse the outside of
the sprayer
thoroughly with
water (avoiding the
engine)
Check pesticide label
for clean up
procedures
Photo: Tim McCabe, USDA
30. Safety - Disposal
What can be done about pesticide excess?
Don’t create any excess!
Only mix the amount of pesticide that you need for the job.
If you make excess try to use the pesticide on another
appropriate site.
Store in a clearly marked container for later use.
Follow label guidelines for disposal.
31. Safety – Disposal
How about pouring excess pesticide
down the drain?
Absolutely NOT!
Why?
Ground water
pollution
River/aquatic
pollution
Diagram: USDS
Picture: UC IPM
32. Safety - Disposal
What to do about empty pesticide containers?
Read the label
Typically - Rinse 3 times
Puncture the container (so it can not be reused)
Dispose in a landfill or recycle
Never use empty pesticide containers for other
purposes (e.g. storing water).
33. Safety – Disposal
Diagram: Purdue Pesticide Program – Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension
Empty
container into
spray tank
34. Safety – Disposal
Diagram: Purdue Pesticide Program – Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension
Rinse
container
with water,
shake, add to
tank and
repeat
35. Safety – Disposal
Diagram: Purdue Pesticide Program – Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension
Destroy and
dispose of
container
36. Safety – Reentry into the field
When is it safe to reenter the field after spraying
(without protective gear)?
When the plants are dry?
No
Check the pesticide label?
Yes
37. Safety - Reentry
Check for “REI” or the
“Restricted Entry
Interval”
Sample Label
Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
38. Safety - Reentry
Post a sign so others will
know not to enter the
field during the
Restricted Entry Interval.
Photo: Forestry Suppliers Inc.
39. Safety – Product marketing
What may prevent you selling a product treated with
pesticide?
Application is too close to sale date.
How can you be sure if you are okay?
Read the label!
Note any limitations in the country importing your
product.
40. Safety – Storage
Store all chemicals in the
original labeled containers
Lock in cabinet or shed,
away from food or feeds,
and out of the reach of
children, unauthorized
persons, pets, and
livestock.
Keep spraying and mixing
equipment locked up as
well.
Photo: Pesticide Management Education Program
– Cornell Cooperative Extension
41. Safety – Storage
Children make up the
largest non-agrarian
pesticide victims
Never store pesticides in
unmarked or incorrect
containers
The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides – UC IPM
42. Safety - Spills
Pesticide spills can occur at any time
First protect yourself, others, animals, and water sources
Be sure to wear protective gear
Control
Stop the spill from continuing
Contain
Stop spill from spreading
Use dirt to barricade a liquid pesticide
Clean Up
Do not hose down the spill. This will make the situation
worse.
Soak up liquid with saw dust, dirt, clay, etc.
Sweep spill into plastic containers for later disposal.
43. What can be done during pesticide emergencies?
Photo: Ambulancesimulator.com
44. Safety – First Aid Symptoms
Dizziness
Headache, blurred
vision
Sweating too much
Stomach cramps,
vomiting
Eye irritation
Skin rashes
Trouble breathing
Chest pains
Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
45. Safety – First Aid
If pesticide is in eyes, rinse
immediately with clean water for
about 15 minutes.
If pesticide gets on clothing or skin
take clothes off immediately and
wash skin with soap and water.
The faster you act, the less
likely harm will occur.
Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
46. Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
Safety – First Aid
Call the nearest place for
medical care.
All pesticide labels have
emergency first aid information.
Picture: Bayer CropScience – Admire 2 label
47. Safety – First Aid
What should you do if pesticides are inhaled?
First leave the contaminated area.
Loosen clothing for better breathing.
Give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if breathing
has stopped.
Try to calm down exposed person.
Get immediate medical care.
Illustrations: Pesticide Safety for Small Farms,
UC ANR Pub. 21555
48. Safety – First Aid
What should you do if pesticide is swallowed?
Follow label’s instructions.
Drink 1 liter of milk or water if person is conscious if the
pesticide is not corrosive or petroleum based, induce
vomiting.
Get immediate medical care.
49. References
UC IPM http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html
Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides. UC IPM
Pesticide Safety for Small Farmers. A Growers Guide to
Pesticide Safety. UC ANR
Pesticide Safety: A Reference manual for Private
Applicators. UC IPM
50. Prepared by Mark Bell, Mark Henderson and
Frank Zalom with input from
Ehsan Ehsanullah
and Tom Brown