Using Available Tools toUsing Available Tools toMake Wise Safety DecisionsMake Wise Safety Decisions

Amber D. VallottonAmber D. VallottonCrop & Soil Environmental Science AgentCrop & Soil Environmental Science Agent

Virginia Cooperative Extension- Rockingham CountyVirginia Cooperative Extension- Rockingham County540/ 564-3080 avallott@vt.edu540/ 564-3080 avallott@vt.edu

Important Tools we Can UseImportant Tools we Can Use• STUDY & KNOW the LABEL…Primary

– Pesticide Classification (GU vs. RU)– Signal Words (Caution, Warning, Danger)– Precautionary Statements

• Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals• First Aid• Environmental Hazards• Physical/Chemical Hazards• PPE Required

– Directions for Use Statements– Storage and Disposal Statements

• MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)…Secondary

Pesticide ClassificationPesticide Classification

• Focus on Restricted Use PesticidesFocus on Restricted Use Pesticides

– Are all RU products highly toxic?• IT DEPENDS!• There may be other reasons product is RU

– Mainly, classification used as a risk-reduction measure

– Ensures that only trained / certified people can purchase and use the product

– Examples…

RUP Examples…RUP Examples…

Trade Name Active Ingredient Oral LD50 Classification

Baythroid 2E cyfluthrin 400 Restricted Use

Lorsban 4E chlorpyrifos 135-163 Restricted Use

Warrior w/Zeon 1EC

lambda-cyhalothrin 79 Restricted Use

Roundup Original Max

glyphosate (potassium salt)

4050-5600 General Use

Pursuit imazethapyr >5000 General Use

Surmount picloram + fluroxypyr > 5000 Restricted Use

Which RU pesticide above is most toxic?

• Use Clues: Oral LD50 Lowest Oral LD50 = MOST TOXIC

Toxicity CluesToxicity CluesThe LD50 is NOT on the label…need to find it on the MSDS,so need to look for other clues about toxicity:

• Signal WordsSignal Words used to convey degree of toxicity of product

• Also tells you whether product is caustic (burns) or is an environmental hazard

• Signal WordsSignal Words– CAUTION: Slightly toxic– WARNING: Moderately toxic– DANGER: Highly toxic or hazardous in some manner, and may

cause acute illness from oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure OR cause severe eye or skin irritation

Precautionary StatementsPrecautionary Statements• Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals

– Exposure concerns

• First Aid Issues– How to respond to accidental poisoning

• Environmental Hazards– Toxicity to bees, wildlife, fish, aquatic organisms, etc.– Groundwater concerns– Persistence in environment– Volatilization issues– Spray Drift Concerns– Resistance management issues

• Physical/Chemical Hazards• PPE Required

Some Examples…Some Examples…

Precautionary StatementsPrecautionary Statements Provide some KEY Safety Clues….

Oral LD50 = 79

Oral LD50 = 400

Oral LD50 = 4500- 5600

Directions for Use StatementsDirections for Use Statements• Agricultural Use and/or Nonagricultural Use Requirements

– REI– PPE– Worker Notification

• WPS Agricultural Use Requirements

• Environmental Issues, Endangered Species, etc.Environmental Issues, Endangered Species, etc. (provides more detail regarding “Precautionary Statements”)

• Other Special StatementsOther Special Statements

• Application Directions

Another Example…Another Example…

Trade Name Active Ingredient Oral LD50 Special Notes

Surmount picloram + fluroxypyr > 5000 Restricted Use

Case where RUP, LDCase where RUP, LD5050 high (less high (less

toxic), toxic), YET YET signal word is signal word is “DANGER”…“DANGER”…

Oral LD50 = > 5000

Other Special Statements showing why RUP…Other Special Statements showing why RUP…

MSDS is one more MSDS is one more important tool about important tool about safety concernssafety concerns

• You can use this tool to help better understand safety concerns!!

• Available from product manufacturer

But remember…But remember…

LABEL is your LABEL is your primaryprimary source of source of use instructions! use instructions!

Laundering Refresher…Laundering Refresher…

Guidelines for LaunderingGuidelines for LaunderingPesticide-Contaminated ClothingPesticide-Contaminated Clothing

• Consult product label & consider product formulationConsult product label & consider product formulation– If soaked with highly toxic (key words) or concentrated pesticide, DISCARD!DISCARD!

– If clothing cannot be decontaminated, DISCARD!DISCARD!

• Basics of WashingBasics of Washing– Separate from other laundry

– Minimize risk of exposure by washing ASAP!

– Pre-soak and pre-treat before washing

– Use heavy duty detergent with HOT WATER set on extra-large and longest wash setting

– Double-rinse

– Run empty through a complete cycle using hot water and detergent

– Line dry to allow sun to bleach

2008 Plastic Pesticide Container 2008 Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling ProgramRecycling Program

• If you live in Rockingham County, look for PPCRP this Spring

• Check at local Coop or call Amber Vallotton at VCE-RC office for details

THANK YOU!!THANK YOU!!

Any Questions??Any Questions??