Applying Pesticides Correctly: the CORE Manual
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Applying Pesticides Correctly A guide for Private and Commercial Applicators TABLE OF CONTENTS Pesticide Laws .....................................................................................................................1 1- Principles of Pest Control ................................................................................................6 2- Pesticide Labeling..........................................................................................................27 3 - Formulations .................................................................................................................36 4 - Pesticides in the Environment ......................................................................................43 5 - Special Environmental Concerns – Protecting Ground Water and Endangered Species ..............................................................................................50 6 - Harmful Effects and Emergency Response ..................................................................59 7 - Personal Protective Equipment .....................................................................................69 8 - Pesticide Handling Decision .........................................................................................80 9 - Mixing, Loading and Application ................................................................................83 10 - Applying the Correct Amount ....................................................................................96 11 - Transportation, Storage, Disposal and Spill Cleanup ...............................................102 Field Pesticide Use Record form .....................................................................................112 Definitions........................................................................................................................113 Emergency Telephone Numbers ......................................................................................114 Pesticide Laws monitored to avoid hazards to the humans and domestic animals that will eat them. A tolerance is the maximum amount of pesticide residue that may legally remain on or Federal Laws in treated crops and animals (and animal products, such as milk or eggs) that are to be The primary focus of the Federal Insecticide, sold for food or feed. The Federal government Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was sets residue tolerances for all pesticides used in to provide federal control of pesticide the production of crop and animal products distribution, sale, and use. The Environmental intended for food or feed, and for pesticides Protection Agency (EPA) was given authority applied after harvest. under FIFRA not only to study the consequences of pesticide usage but also to Federal agencies monitor food and feed require users (farmers, utility companies, and products for tolerance violations. Any products others) to register when purchasing pesticides. that exceed the tolerances may be condemned and seized, and violators may be prosecuted. Through later amendments to the law, users also must take exams for certification as A pesticide applicator cannot measure residues applicators of pesticides. All pesticides used in on crops and livestock, because such the U.S. must be registered (licensed) by EPA. measurements require highly specialized This assures that pesticides will be properly equipment and techniques. Only by following labeled and that if in accordance with labeling instructions can you be sure that specifications, will not cause unreasonable treated products will have residues well below harm to the environment. tolerance level when marketed. Especially important are instructions on correct Penalties Under FIFRA application rate and on minimum days between the pesticide application and harvest, slaughter, If you violate FIFRA, or regulations issued freshening, or grazing. under it, you are subject to civil penalties. Penalties can be as much as $1,000 for each Worker Protection Standard offense for private applicators ($5,000 for commercial applicators). Before EPA can fine The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS) you, you have the right to ask for a hearing in (as revised in 1992) must be complied with your own city or county. when pesticide products are used on agricultural establishments (farms, forests, Some violations of the law also may subject nurseries, and greenhouses) for the commercial you to criminal penalties. These can be as or research production of agricultural plants. much as $1,000 and/or 30 days in prison for The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) private applicators ($25,000 or 1 year in requires employers to provide agricultural prison, or both, for commercial applicators). workers and pesticide handlers with States may establish higher penalties. protections against possible harm from pesticides. Residues and Tolerances Persons who must comply with these Any pesticide that remains in or on food or instructions include owners/operators of the feed is called a residue. A long-lasting residue agricultural establishment and is sometimes desirable for long-term pest owners/operators of commercial businesses control. Residues that remain in food or feed at that are hired to apply pesticides on the harvest or slaughter, however, are carefully 1 agricultural establishment or to perform crop- and maintaining equipment they will be using; advising tasks on such establishments. and monitoring them in hazardous situations. You and any family members who work on For detailed information about your your agricultural or commercial pesticide responsibilities under the WPS, get a copy of establishment are considered "employees" in EPA's manual "Worker Protection Standard for many situations and must receive some of the Agricultural Pesticides – How To Comply." It required protections. will tell you what you need to do to be in compliance with the Federal worker protection Some of the basic requirements the WPS requirements. establishes for employers include: Displaying information about pesticide safety, emergency procedures, and recent Kentucky Laws and Regulations pesticide applications on an agricultural establishment. The Kentucky Fertilizer and Pesticides Storage, Pesticide Use and Application Act of Training workers and handlers about pesticide 1996 (KRS 217b) and appropriate safety. administrative regulations are administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Helping employees get medical assistance in (KDA), Division of Environmental Services, case of a work-related pesticide emergency. Pesticide Regulation Setting up decontamination sites for washing 107 Corporate Drive pesticide residues off hands and body. Frankfort, KY. 40601 Toll Free (866) 289-0001 Compliance with restricted-entry intervals – the time immediately after a pesticide Web Page – Pesticide Regulation application when workers may not enter the www.kyagr.com/consumer/envsvs/index.htm treated area. Definitions (From KRS 217b – Kentucky Notifying workers (through posted and/or oral Fertilizer and Pesticide Use and Application warnings) about areas where applications are Act 1996) taking place and areas where restricted-entry intervals are in effect. Pest – any insect, snail, slug rodent, nematode, fungus, weed; or any other form of plant or Allowing only trained and equipped pesticide animal life or virus, bacteria, or other handlers to be present during a pesticide microorganism, except viruses, bacteria, or application. other microorganisms on or in living man or other living animals, which is normally Providing personal protective equipment for considered to be a pest, or which the pesticide handlers, and also for workers who department declares to be a pest. enter pesticide-treated areas before expiration of the restricted-entry interval (in the few very Pesticide – any substance or mixture of limited circumstances permitted by the WPS). substances intended to prevent, destroy, control, repel, attract, or mitigate any insect Protecting pesticide handlers by giving them pest; OR any substance or mixture of safety instructions about the correct use of substances intended to be used as a plant personal protective equipment and mixing, regulator, defoliant, or desiccant; OR any loading, and application equipment; inspecting substance or mixture of substances intended to 2 be used as a spray adjuvant, once they have commercial applicators through the Pesticide been mixed with an EPA-registered product. Safety Education Program. Commercial pesticide applicator – any This manual is provided as a reference for individual employed by a pesticide operator to pesticide applicators because all of the apply pesticides. information cannot be provided in a single training program. Commercial pesticide operator – any individual who owns or manages a pesticide application business that is engaged in the business of applying pesticides on the lands of Certified Private Pesticide Applicator another. Private applicators are certified through Non-commercial applicator - any individual training programs conducted at the county employed by golf courses, municipal extension office. Certification is valid for 3 corporations, public utilities, or other years and expires on December 31 of the final governmental agencies making applications of year. Applicators attend a training session to pesticides to lands owned, occupied or become certified again. Trained applicators managed by his or her employer. receive a yellow card with a unique number. This card must be shown to a dealer