Pesticide Decontamination, Disposal and Spills

1. Pesticide Decontamination, Disposal and Spills Stephen J. Toth, Jr. Wayne G. Buhler Department of Entomology Department of Horticultural Science North Carolina State University North Carolina State University Photograph by Tim McCabe.

2. Pesticide Decontamination After mixing, loading or applying a pesticide, you should: • Wash pesticide equipment, return to designated area • Safely store or dispose of all pesticides and other chemicals that you used • Be sure work site presents no hazards to humans or environment (never leave site unattended until clean) • Wash yourself and clean personal protective clothing • Make record of pesticide applications while your memory is fresh

3. Pesticide Equipment Cleanup • Always clean pesticide mixing, loading, application equipment as soon as you are finished using them (pesticides left in equipment can cause corrosion, clog nozzles, and contaminate future applications) • Do not leave pesticide equipment unattended at job site North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

4. Pesticide Equipment Cleanup • Best to clean equipment at designated site containing a containment pad • When cleaning pesticide- contaminated equipment, wear appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing Tim McCabe

5. Pesticide Containment Pads North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

6. Empty Pesticide Containers • Pesticide residues that cling to empty containers can be dangerous to humans and the environment • Triple-rinse or pressure- rinse empty containers (plastic, glass or metal) as soon as they are empty North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

7. Empty Pesticide Containers • Do not leave empty containers unattended or give them to children to play with or adults to reuse • Return rinsed containers to storage area until they can be disposed of according to product label instructions and/or state and local laws North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

8. Triple-Rinsing Pesticide Containers • Empty contents of container into tank, drain container for 30 seconds • Fill container 1/4 to 1/5 full with water (or solvent, etc.) • Replace cap and rotate container for 30 seconds • Drain rinse water for container into tank for 30 seconds • Repeat the last three steps two more times Tim McCabe

9. Pressure-Rinsing Pesticide Containers • Insert high-pressure nozzle and hose into container • While rotating the nozzle, rinse the container for at least 30 seconds • Drain container thoroughly into the tank North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

10. Pressure-Rinse Nozzles North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

11. Personal Cleanup • Wash the outside of gloves before removing them • Carefully peel off protective clothing to avoid getting pesticide on your skin • Put protective clothing in plastic bag until they can be cleaned or disposed of properly North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

12. Personal Cleanup • Remove additional work clothing carefully; keep them separate from other clothing until they are laundered • Wash face, hands, forearms, etc. with mild soap and water right away; wash entire body in shower at the end of the work day North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

13. Pesticide Disposal • Pesticide users are responsible for the proper disposal of empty pesticide containers, excess usable pesticide and waste materials containing pesticides or their residues • Improper disposal can result in serious harm to humans (children) pets, wildlife and the environment (water, soil), or legal problems North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

14. What to do with Excess Pesticide? The best solution is to avoid having excess pesticide by: • Buying only the amount needed for the season • Calculating how much diluted pesticide is required for the job • Using all of the mixed pesticide in accordance with label instructions Tim McCabe

15. What to do with Excess Pesticide? Try to use excess pesticide/rinsate as directed by the label. • Apply the pesticide on a labeled site • The total amount of the pesticide active ingredient must not exceed labeled rate and frequency • Comply with all the label instructions for proper application North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

16. What to do with Excess Pesticide? Give pesticide you can not use to another pesticide applicator who can use it legally, or return unused pesticide to the dealer or manufacturer. • Do not give restricted-use pesticide to person that is not certified to apply them • Do not give a banned pesticide to someone to use Bill Tarpenning

17. Pesticide Waste • Excess pesticide and rinsates that can not be used must be disposed of as hazardous waste • Other pesticide wastes include contaminated soil, spill cleanup materials, and personal protective equipment or clothing that can not be cleaned and reused North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

18. Pesticide Waste Disposal • NCDA&CS and counties have programs for disposal of pesticides by farmers and homeowners; collection is periodic and usually free of charge • Commercial hazardous waste disposal companies are available to dispose of pesticides (permitted by EPA under RCRA); expensive, especially if unknown chemical or a mixture of chemicals North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

19. Pesticide Container Disposal • It is illegal to burn or bury any pesticide container in North Carolina or dump such containers in any unauthorized location North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

20. Pesticide Container Disposal • Pesticide containers that have been triple-rinsed or pressure-rinsed usually can be disposed of as trash in a sanitary landfill (unless prohibited by label or state/local laws) North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

21. North Carolina Counties with Pesticide Container Recycling Programs, 1998 Partially funded by NCDA&CS Not funded by NCDA&CS

22. Pesticide Container Disposal • For bags containing dusts, granules, wettable powders, etc., consult label instructions for proper disposal or contact county solid waste management North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

23. Pesticide Spill Management • A spill is any accidental release of a pesticide • You should know how and be prepared to respond immediately to a pesticide spill • Never leave a pesticide spill unattended • If you can not manage a spill by yourself, get assistance as soon as possible • Contact CHEMTREC (Chemical Transportation Emergency Center) for emergencies by calling 1-800-424-9300 • Three C’s for spills: Control, Contain, Clean up

24. Controlling a Pesticide Spill • Protect yourself by putting on appropriate personal protective equipment before contacting spill (also be aware of pesticide vapors) • Stop the source of the spill (if a small container is leaking, put it in larger chemical-resistant container • Protect other persons from the spill by isolating the spill, warn others of the spill, and keep people out of reach of the pesticide’s drift or fumes • Stay at the spill site until another knowledgeable and correctly protected person arrives

25. Containing a Pesticide Spill • Confine the spill in as small an area as possible (small spills can be contained with containment “snakes”; larger spills may require digging soil dike) • Protect water sources (ponds, creeks, wells, etc.) from spill and runoff • Absorb any liquid pesticide spills with absorbent materials such as spill pillows, sand, vermiculite, sawdust, clay, kitty litter, shredded newspaper, etc. • Cover dry pesticide spills (dusts, powders, granules) with sweeping compound, plastic covering or light mist of water

26. Cleaning Up a Pesticide Spill • Clean up liquid spill with absorbent material and put the pesticide plus material in heavy-duty containers • Clean up dry spills by sweeping pesticide into suitable container (possibly for reuse if not contaminated) North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

27. Cleaning Up a Pesticide Spill • If spill is on nonporous surface, decontaminate spill site with water or other chemical listed on the product label and a strong detergent; contain contaminated liquids • If spill is on porous surface (soil, wood, carpet), it may be necessary to remove contaminated surface with the pesticide North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

28. Pesticide Spill Kit • Telephone numbers for emergency assistance • Chemical-resistant gloves, footwear, suits, apron, protective eyewear and appropriate respirator • Containment “snakes” to confine leaks or small spills • Absorbent materials such as spill pillows, sawdust, clay, kitty litter, activated charcoal, vermiculite or shredded newspaper North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program

29. Pesticide Spill Kit • Sweeping compound for dry spills • Shovel, broom or dustpan • Heavy-duty detergent • Fire extinguisher rated for all types of fires • Sturdy plastic container that hold the quantity of pesticide from the largest container being handled • Other spill cleanup items specified on the pesticide product label

30. References • Applying Pesticides Correctly: A Guide for Private and Commercial Applicators. Unit 9: Mixing, Load-ing and Application. pp. 109-127. • Applying Pesticides Correctly: A Guide for Private and Commercial Applicators. Unit 11: Transporta-tion, Storage, Disposal, and Spill Cleanup. pp. 141-155.