Pesticide Safety for thePesticide Safety for theVeteran ApplicatorVeteran Applicator

Montana State UniversityMontana State University

Pesticide Safety Education ProgramPesticide Safety Education Program

20082008

Evolution of Pesticide SafetyEvolution of Pesticide Safety

DDT!

BiomagnificationBiomagnification

Good Side of DDT?Good Side of DDT?All but halted a 25% mortality rate in soldiers fighting in war from TYPHUS with a de-lousing program.

Started research on newer more efficient chemicals that are safer on the environment

EPA Civil and Criminal EPA Civil and Criminal PenaltiesPenalties

500 – 1,000 dollar warnings500 – 1,000 dollar warnings Knowing violations constitute more of Knowing violations constitute more of

a penalty.a penalty. ExamplesExamples

– Selling a RUP to a person not certifiedSelling a RUP to a person not certified– Giving pesticides awayGiving pesticides away– Use a pesticide inconsistent with its labelUse a pesticide inconsistent with its label– Altering a pesticide labelAltering a pesticide label– Failure to Failure to keep recordskeep records or allow or allow

inspectioninspection

LAWS versus SafetyLAWS versus Safety

Examples of what veteran Examples of what veteran applicators see in the fieldapplicators see in the field

Do you see any problems with this pictureDo you see any problems with this picture??#1) No Eye Protection - Ocular#2) No Gloves - Dermal#3) Improper Respirator - Inhalation#4) No Chemically Resistant Apron – Dermal#5) Mixing chemicals within 100 ft of water

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

Mode of EntryMode of Entry

How easy is it to be exposed to How easy is it to be exposed to pesticides?pesticides?

How long does it take to be exposed?How long does it take to be exposed? What if it’s regarding a common situation that What if it’s regarding a common situation that

occurs in the field. You take off your gloves only occurs in the field. You take off your gloves only 1 time to replace a stubborn plugged nozzle?1 time to replace a stubborn plugged nozzle?

Are you contaminated with pesticides if you only Are you contaminated with pesticides if you only shake an individuals hand 1 time for 1 second?shake an individuals hand 1 time for 1 second?

Need 4 volunteersNeed 4 volunteers– 11stst Volunteer: Work on nozzles with no gloves Volunteer: Work on nozzles with no gloves

22ndnd Volunteer: Shake your neighbor’s hand Volunteer: Shake your neighbor’s hand– 33rdrd Volunteer: Work on nozzles with gloves Volunteer: Work on nozzles with gloves

44thth Volunteer: Shake your neighbor’s hand Volunteer: Shake your neighbor’s hand

OK, you are contaminated.OK, you are contaminated.So what!So what!

How toxic is it?How toxic is it?

Signal Word

Signal WordSignal Word

Indicates a pesticides acute toxicity Indicates a pesticides acute toxicity from one exposure.from one exposure.– What is acute?What is acute?

Based on a pesticides active and Based on a pesticides active and inert ingredients.inert ingredients.

Acute Toxicity TestingAcute Toxicity Testing

Is required by the Environmental Is required by the Environmental Protection Agency for:Protection Agency for:– Each active ingredientEach active ingredient– For inert ingredientsFor inert ingredients

Usually uses ratsUsually uses rats Very expensive processVery expensive process

Signal Words / LD50Signal Words / LD50

Caution (Category IV) You can drink the stuff

Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.

Gordon Shrum – Cochair BC HydroGordon Shrum – Cochair BC Hydro

Agent White CompoundAgent White Compound

Agent OrangeAgent Orange

4:1 mixture of 2,4-D and picloram

1:1 mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-TProduces dioxins – carcinogen

The National Toxicology Program has classified TCDD to bea human carcinogen, frequently associated with soft-tissue sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

1896 – 1985!

Chronic ToxicityChronic Toxicity

DefinitionDefinition EPA mandates testing for chronic EPA mandates testing for chronic

toxicity of:toxicity of:– Active ingredientsActive ingredients

Usually on ratsUsually on rats This is very expensiveThis is very expensive Chronic toxicity statements are placed Chronic toxicity statements are placed

on the product label (carcinogen, on the product label (carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive damage, etc..)mutagen, reproductive damage, etc..)

Some of our “Safest” chemicalsSome of our “Safest” chemicals

Chronic Affects EvidentChronic Affects Evident– Immune system problemsImmune system problems– Sores, RashesSores, Rashes

Ag Health StudyAg Health Study

A long term health study of pesticideA long term health study of pesticideapplicators and their spouses applicators and their spouses with comparisons to the general populationwith comparisons to the general population

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements– Iowa State University, North Carolina State UniversityIowa State University, North Carolina State University

– The National Cancer InstituteThe National Cancer Institute

– National Institute of Environmental Health ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health Services

– U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Environmental Protection Agency

– Agricultural Health Study ScientistsAgricultural Health Study Scientists

– Cornell Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors, Cornell Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors,

Cornell UniversityCornell University

New: Ag. Health StudyNew: Ag. Health StudyParticipants: 90,000 peopleParticipants: 90,000 people

Certified Pesticide Applicators Certified Pesticide Applicators and Spousesand Spouses– IOWA:IOWA:

31,877 farmers31,877 farmers21,771 farm spouses21,771 farm spouses4,916 commercial applicators4,916 commercial applicators

– NORTH CAROLINANORTH CAROLINA20,518 farmers20,518 farmers10,567 farm spouses10,567 farm spouses

Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer Associated WithAssociated With

Methyl bromide fumigantMethyl bromide fumigant Chlorinated pesticides (men over 50)Chlorinated pesticides (men over 50)

– Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, hexachlor, Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, hexachlor, toxophenetoxophene

Five pesticides with men with a family history of Five pesticides with men with a family history of prostate cancerprostate cancer– Insecticides: chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), coumaphos Insecticides: chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), coumaphos

(Co-Ral), fonofos (Dyfonate), permethrin (with (Co-Ral), fonofos (Dyfonate), permethrin (with

animal uses)animal uses)

Respiratory HealthRespiratory Health Wheeze (airways in lungs are narrowed) Wheeze (airways in lungs are narrowed)

associatedassociated with… with…– Pesticides Pesticides (Paraquat, parathion, malathion, (Paraquat, parathion, malathion,

chlorpyrifos, atrazine, alachlor, EPTC)chlorpyrifos, atrazine, alachlor, EPTC)

Eye Health – Vision LossEye Health – Vision Loss

Degeneration of retina Degeneration of retina Seen with applicators Seen with applicators andand farm wives farm wives

– Fungicides: benomyl, captan, chlorothanonil, copper Fungicides: benomyl, captan, chlorothanonil, copper ammonia carbonate, ferbam, maneb, metalaxyl, ammonia carbonate, ferbam, maneb, metalaxyl, PCNB and sulfurPCNB and sulfur

– Application methods: hand spray guns, backpack Application methods: hand spray guns, backpack sprayers, or mist blowers / foggerssprayers, or mist blowers / foggers

– Certain crops: orchard fruit, Christmas trees and Certain crops: orchard fruit, Christmas trees and peanuts peanuts

– DDT, dicofol and endosulfan (organochlorines)DDT, dicofol and endosulfan (organochlorines)– Dichlorvos, cygon, guthion, imidan, malathion, Dichlorvos, cygon, guthion, imidan, malathion,

orthene and prolate (organophosphates)orthene and prolate (organophosphates)– Carbaryl and oxanyl (carbamates)Carbaryl and oxanyl (carbamates)

Personal Protective Equip.Personal Protective Equip.(PPE)(PPE)

Good News:Good News:– Research shows PPE may reduce pesticide exposure by Research shows PPE may reduce pesticide exposure by

90%90%

Protecting Yourself: How and Protecting Yourself: How and Why?Why?

Where do you find out about your pesticides toxicity, inherent dangers, and personal

protective equipment you should use when handling pesticides.

www.greenbook.net

PPE

PPEPPE

CoverallsCoveralls Chemical Resistant Suits, Gloves, Chemical Resistant Suits, Gloves,

Footwear, Aprons, and Headgear.Footwear, Aprons, and Headgear. Protective EyewearProtective Eyewear RespiratorsRespirators

Coated / Laminate SuitsCoated / Laminate Suits

PVC, Nitrile, Rubber

Tychem®– sealed seems.seems.

Non-breathableNon-breathable Do not use rain Do not use rain

suits suits with cotton liners with cotton liners

GlovesGloves

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!

EyewearEyewear

GogglesFace ShieldsSafety GlassesBut never wear

contacts when spraying pesticides!!!

RespiratorsRespiratorsRead Product LabelRead Product Label

Particulate masks (dusts, granules)Particulate masks (dusts, granules)– The one-strap dust mask is not NIOSH approved. When pesticide labelThe one-strap dust mask is not NIOSH approved. When pesticide label recommends a dust filter this is not acceptable. For nuisance-level dusts. recommends a dust filter this is not acceptable. For nuisance-level dusts.

– Generally, two-strap respirators with exhale valves are not for pesticideGenerally, two-strap respirators with exhale valves are not for pesticide

spraying but are acceptable for application of pesticide dusts and granules. spraying but are acceptable for application of pesticide dusts and granules.

Always read the pesticide label for product-specific recommendations.Always read the pesticide label for product-specific recommendations.

Cartridge Type Respirators (pesticide vapors)Cartridge Type Respirators (pesticide vapors)– Fitted face piece and replaceable filtersFitted face piece and replaceable filters– Not for fumigantsNot for fumigants– Prefix of NIOSH/MSHA “TC”Prefix of NIOSH/MSHA “TC”– Cartridges should be replaced annually and stored in ziplock bagsCartridges should be replaced annually and stored in ziplock bags– Cartridges usually labeled for use with ORGANIC VAPORSCartridges usually labeled for use with ORGANIC VAPORS– Follow product labelFollow product label

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)– Manure Pit with methane and hydrogen sulfideManure Pit with methane and hydrogen sulfide– Anyhydrous AmmoniaAnyhydrous Ammonia– Grain FumigantsGrain Fumigants– Special Medical Certification NeededSpecial Medical Certification Needed

Inspect PPEInspect PPE

Make sure you have no smellsMake sure you have no smells– What should you do?What should you do?

Is it clean and has it been cleaned?Is it clean and has it been cleaned?

What type of applicator are What type of applicator are you?you?

Contact InformationContact Information

Contact your Local Extension OfficeContact your Local Extension Office

or theor the

MSU Pesticide Safety Education ProgramMSU Pesticide Safety Education Program

Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education SpecialistCecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist

406-994-5067, 406-994-5067, ctharp@montana.eductharp@montana.edu Web Web Address: Address: www.pesticides.montana.eduwww.pesticides.montana.edu