Safe Mixing of Pesticides Reeves Petroff Pesticide Education

Safe Mixing of Pesticides Reeves Petroff Pesticide Education & Safety Program Montana State University Cooperative Extension Service

General and Restricted Use Pesticides GENERAL-USE PESTICIDES • Less likely to harm the user or the environment when used according label instructions. • No certification required! • 2, 4 -D, Banvel , Clarity , Weed Master , Escort , Curtail . RESTRICTED-USE PESTICIDES (RUP) • Can harm the environment or the applicator when not used as directed. • Certification Required • Tordon 22 K , Hoelon 3 EC , Furadan , Warrior , Phostoxin Mustang

WHAT’S A FORMULATION? How the pesticide is packaged. One pesticide = many forms. COMMON EXAMPLE POWDERED - DRY SOAP BATH GEL LIQUID

A PESTICIDE FORMULATION IS MADE UP OF ONE OR MORE CHEMICALS: Active Ingredients – a. i. Part of the formulation that kills the pest Active Ingredient Tordon 22 K Inert Ingredients Make the formulation easier to handle or store. Inert Ingredient Examples: talc and clay for dry formulations. Alcohols, solvents and antifreeze for liquid formulations

DRY FORMULATIONS • • WP – Wettable powder P or G – Pellets or Granule D – Dusts DF – Dry Flowable • WSB or WSP – Water Dispersable Bag or Water Soluble Packet • WDG – Water Dispersable Granule

Dry Formulations • Inhalation hazard. • Abrasive to equipment. • Usually need to premix in water first. G and P formulations? • Easier on non-target, non-crop plants • Easier to store

COMMONLY USED LIQUID FORMULATIONS • EC –emulsifiable concentrate • S - soluble

EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATES (EC) Liquid formulation containing: the active ingredient, one or more solvents and an emulsifier to aid in mixing with water. Examples: 2, 4 -D ester Curtail M , Treflan EC Fargo EC .

EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATES (EC) ADVANTAGES J Little agitation required. Won’t settle out when equipment is turned off. J Relatively non-abrasive. J Easy to handle, store and transport DISADVANTAGES L Hard on non-target plants and animals. L Easily absorbed through skin of plants & humans. L Rubber or plastic hoses & gaskets may deteriorate.

SOLUBLE (S) A liquid formulation in which the active ingredient readily dissolves in water. Consists of the active ingredient and additives. Examples Tordon 22 K Krenite S Roundup Many 2, 4 -D products

Liquids & MIXING HOW can you limit 90% of your exposure?

Other Considerations for Liquid Formulations More inert ingredients may damage non-target plants, insects or animals. -- Storage considerations -Containers may leak. Formulations may freeze

Most pesticide accidents occur during Mixing! Perceived Less Risk ? Don’t wear PPE Concentrated Instability Attitude

First Step

Before Have detergent or soap & an adequate supply of water available.

Before Know the early symptoms of poisoning First aid procedures First aid materials and supplies available.

Be certain that materials are available to handle spills.

Check Equipment!! Checklist. A daily inspection. Hoses Fittings Valves Tanks PMCS

Do not work alone or be sure help is readily available. • DANGER Signal Words! • DANGER-Poison • WARNING • CAUTION PPE? Respirators? Proper fit? Correct canister or cartridge? Never eat, drink, smoke, or go the bathroom while working with pesticides, without first washing your hands.

Pesticide containers should be in a secure position when open. During Make sure the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by all personnel involved. Wear More PPE!! Follow Label Mixing Instructions

More face protection Pesticide into During water Head above and away No Higher than chest Wind

Use Nurse Tanks and …. During Never leave tanks unattended

PPE Signal Words Use Classification Precautions A. I. Formulation First Aid

After

Triple Rinsing When container is empty… 1. Let drain into tank for 30 seconds 2. Fill 1/3 to 1/4 full of water 3. Replace cap 4. Rotate container 5. Let drain into tank for 30 seconds 6. Repeat steps 2 -5 two more times Then…

Destroy the Container

In Montana… • Pesticide containers…. – Must be triple-rinsed within 48 hours – Not accepted at landfills unless triplerinsed – Cannot be burned! – Cannot be used for uses other than pesticides – Can be buried on private property if tripled-rinsed

Transportation

Handling Pesticide Spills --Storage-- Pump House Dirt Floor

Transportation Not in Here! • Secure containers • Secondary Containment Here!

Pesticide Spills • Stop the leak! Wear PPE • Keep people away • Confine the spill • Absorb the spilled pesticides • Collect the absorbed pesticides • Cover the area with neutralizer

Pesticide Spills Stop the leak! Clamp it! Rotate it! Seal it! Patch it!

• Keep people away • Confine the spill • Absorb the spilled pesticides

DISPOSAL? Apply to a labeled site > 5 gallons – Montana Dept. of Ag

GLOVES CATCH BASINS CALIBRATE MIX CORRECTLY