Soil MANUAL Fumigation A NAtional Pesticide ApplicAtor certificAtioN stUdy GUide Soil MANUAL Fumigation Written by Lisa A. Blecker Jane M. Thomas Published by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation 2012 A NAtional Pesticide ApplicAtor certificAtioN stUdy GUide This publication was developed under Cooperative Agreement No. X8-83456201, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation. EPA made comments and suggestions on the document intended to improve its scientific analysis and technical accuracy. However, the views expressed in this document are those of its authors and do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the EPA. EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication. AcknowledgmentS his manual was produced thanks to the support of the National Association of TState Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation (NASDARF) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pesticide Programs. The following people generously gave their time and contributed their expertise by serving on a steering committee for the development of the manual and exam item bank: Jim Burnette and Kay Harris, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Douglas Edwards, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Fred Fishel, University of Florida Jeanne Kasai, EPA Office of Pesticide Programs—Worker Safety Branch Carol Ramsay, NASDA Research Foundation and Washington State University Ryan Roslak, Dow AgroSciences Monte Spence, Windflow Fertilizer, Inc. Sherman Takatori, Idaho Department of Agriculture Andrew Thostenson, North Dakota State University The following universities graciously allowed the use of their training materials as foundational resources for development of the text and graphics in this manual: California Soil Fumigation Manual, University of California-Davis Florida draft text of Soil Fumigation Manual, University of Florida Virginia Fumigation of Soil and Agricultural Products, Virginia Tech Washington Soil Fumigation Manual, Washington State University Wisconsin Soil Fumigation Manual, University of Wisconsin The following people, working under a tight deadline, served as technical reviewers for subject matter details, text completeness, and appropriateness for entry-level soil fumigators: Rodney Akers, Arysta LifeScience Susan Bartow, Cathryn Britton, Jose Gayoso, John Leahy, Nikhil Mallampalli, Andrea Mojica, Eric Olson, and Steven Weiss, EPA Office of Pesticide Programs Robert Christian, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Kyle Coleman, AMVAC Fred Fishel, University of Florida Kay Harris, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Tom Hoffmann and Margaret Tucker, Washington State Department of Agriculture Jerry Krebs and Kurt Volker, TKI NovaSource Continued.... Acknowledgments—i Clyde Ogg, University of Nebraska Carol Ramsay, NASDA Research Foundation and Washington State University Ryan Roslak, Dow AgroSciences Robert Welker, Arkema Inc. Kees Weyns, Weyns Farms Several people and organizations generously provided photographs used in this manual: Husein Ajwa, University of California-Davis Robert Christian, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Fred Fishel, University of Florida Elizabeth Lusby, Washington State University Clay Owens, United Phosphate Ryan Roslak, Dow AgroSciences A special thank-you to the people who provided careful grammatical review and graphic design under a very short production schedule: Sally O’Neal, graphic illustrator Gerald Steffen, publication design and layout Susan Terwilliger, Virginia Tech, grammatical reviewer Steve Tomasko, University of Wisconsin, grammatical reviewer future editions Please send suggested edits to [email protected] to be considered for future revisions. ii—Acknowledgments ContentS . IntroductIon............................................................................. 1 chapter.1:. overview.of.Soil.Fumigants.and.Soil.Fumigation..... 3 Learning objectives .............................................................................................3 soil fumigants .....................................................................................................3 fumigant Volatilization .......................................................................................4 effects of fumigants on Humans ........................................................................5 Exposure Signs and Symptoms......................................................................6 certified Applicators and fumigant Handlers ....................................................6 Bystanders and field Workers .............................................................................7 fumigant Labels change over time ...................................................................7 review Questions ................................................................................................9 Answers to review Questions ...........................................................................10 chapter.2:. General.Label.and.regulatory.requirements........ 11 Learning objectives ...........................................................................................11 restricted-Use Pesticides (rUPs) .......................................................................11 fumigant-specific certified Applicator-in-charge training .............................12 fumigant Handlers ............................................................................................13 Fumigant Handler Tasks ..............................................................................13 Safety Information for Fumigant Handlers ...................................................13 onsite supervision .............................................................................................14 entry-restricted Period .....................................................................................14 chemigation ......................................................................................................15 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) ..................................................................16 Notice to state and tribal Lead Agencies .........................................................16 fumigant Application records ..........................................................................16 review Questions ..............................................................................................19 Answers to review Questions ...........................................................................20 contents—iii chapter.3:. Soil.Fumigant.chemical.characteristics................ 21 Learning objectives ...........................................................................................21 soil fumigants ...................................................................................................21 Methyl Bromide ..........................................................................................21 Methyl Iodide (Iodomethane) .....................................................................23 Chloropicrin ................................................................................................23 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) ......................................................................24 Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS) .........................................................................25 Metam Sodium and Metam Potassium ........................................................26 Dazomet .....................................................................................................28 review Questions ..............................................................................................29 Answers to review Questions ...........................................................................30 chapter.4:. Soil.and.pest.Factors.that. Influence.Fumigant.activity.................................. 31 Learning objectives ...........................................................................................31 soil factors .........................................................................................................31 Soil Temperature .........................................................................................31 Soil Texture .................................................................................................32 Soil Moisture ...............................................................................................32 Soil Tilth ......................................................................................................34 Crop Residues .............................................................................................34 Soil Sealing .................................................................................................35 Pest factors ........................................................................................................35 Depth of Pest Organisms ............................................................................35 Application Timing ......................................................................................36 Application Rate ..........................................................................................36 review Questions ..............................................................................................37