Intro: Types of pesticide applicators in Iowa
Commercial Applicators (another person for compensation); Public Applicators (as employee govt agencies);
... [Show More] Noncommercial Applicators (property owned, rented, or leased by the applicator or the applicator's employer); Private Applicators (agricultural); Certified Handlers (preparing, mixing, or loading pesticides)
Intro: Describe certification & recertification requirements
Certification: Employed by a certified, licensed company; fee paid to IDALS; 21-day grace period (direct supervision); closed-book exam. Recertification: 3-year qualification cycle; renewable by either testing every third year or attending approved continuing instruction courses (CIC); core & categories; fee & you get a form.
C1: What agency regulates pesticide use in US
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C1: Summarize pesticide registration & re-registration
FIFRA requires the EPA to regulate the sale & use & they do this through registration & labeling of pesticide products; human health & the environment. Re-registration FIFRA requires EPA to conduct comprehensive reviews of older pesticides human health & environmental effects
C1: Understand the penalties for violations of FIFRA
Violations of the legal provisions established in FIFRA civil penalties as much as $6,500 for each offense; violation of the law also may subject you to criminal penalties up to $25,000 or one year in prison, or both.
C1: FIFRA
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (1947) regulates the production, transportation, sale, use, & disposal of all pesticides
C1: FFDCA
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act sets allowable residue levels to ensure the safety of the food supply
C1: FQPA
Food Quality Protection Act amended both FIFRA & FFDCA & set a tougher standard for pesticides on food.
C1: Residues & Tolerances
Residues: Small amounts of pesticides on fruits, vegetables, grains, other foods, & animal feeds. Tolerances: the EPA sets allowable residue levels under FFDCA regs, safe tolerances "a reasonable certainty of no harm".
C1: How does the ESA relate to pesticides
The Endangered Species Act (ESA): Pesticides use may directly or indirectly, through drift and runoff, affect endangered or threatened species & their habitat.
C1: Summarize RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave", rinsates & hazardous waste; become solid wastes when you want to discard.
C1: Who is protected by the WPS
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) helps protect employees on farms, forests, nurseries, & greenhouses from occupational exposure.
C2: List the requirements of pesticide applicator records
1) Name & certification number of licensee; 2) Name & address of landowner or customer; 3) Address of the place of application of pesticide; 4) Date of application; 5) Trade name of pesticide;
6) Quantity of pesticide used & the concentration or rate of application; 7) Temperature and direction & velocity of wind; 8) the use of "restricted use" pesticides; 9) Time pesticide application begins & ends.
C2: Describe the Sensitive Crops Directory
It is an online registry to identify locations of pesticide-sensitive crops & apiaries (bee yards): vineyards, orchards, certified organic crops, and fruit & vegetable crops. Susceptible to drift & meet minimum acreage requirements.
C2: Iowa Bee Rule
Owners of apiaries shall register location (expires Dec 31); shall not apply a pesticide labeled as toxic to bees within 1 mile of apiaries between 8 am & 6 pm (registered on 1st day of month)
C2: List the notification requirements for urban pesticide applications
Notification: must post signs at the start of application; display signs for at least 24 hrs after the application (longer if label requires); does not apply to pesticides applied within a structure or within 6 ft of the outside perimeter of a structure, nor to the homeowner or tenant. Also, prenotification, durable signs, remove, provide label
C2: Summarize the Iowa atrazine management rules
Atrazine is a restricted use pesticide due to ground & surface water concerns. Atrazine application rates are limited to 2.5 lbs per acre per calendar year; restricts rates to 1.5 lbs in 23 counties (7 county -wide 16 in some townships); may not be mixed, loaded, or repackaged within 50 feet of a sinkhole, well, cistern, lake, water impoundment, this includes, but is not limited to, abandoned wells, agricultural drainage wells & drainage well surface inlets, & drinking water wells; atrazine mixing, loading, & equipment cleanout must meet the secondary containment requirements in the Iowa administrative code.
C2: Recognize the requirements of on-site containment of pesticides
All non-mobile bulk pesticide storage containers must be located within a watertight secondary containment facility, a structure used to prevent runoff or leaching of pesticide materials. If you store for more than 30 days & mix more than 300 gal and/or 300 lbs, your facility is considered a permanent storage & mixing site. Paved & sloped & elevated, curbed; engineer's design, plans IDALS; rainwater, cracks; washing, rinsates.
C2: Penalties for violations of the Pesticide Act of Iowa
If you violate any provisions of Pesticide Act of Iowa (PAI), max civil penalty must not exceed $500 per violation;
C3: What constitutes a pest
A pest is any living species whose activities cause economic losses to your possessions, directly threaten your health, or are annoying.
C3: Define "integrated pest management" (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to controlling a specific pest in a specific setting that makes use of current pest information, regular monitoring, & recordkeeping to determine if & when action against the pest is needed. IPM uses a combination of control strategies (biological, mechanical, cultural, physical, genetic, regulatory, & chemical) to prevent unacceptable damage or annoyance. The control options used should be the most effective with the least risk to people & the environment, yet provide viable options to produce a quality, economical, & safe crop or maintain a clean, healthy indoor or outdoor setting.
C3: List five major components of "integrated pest management"
1) Identify the pest & understand its biology, 2) Set up a monitoring program, 3) Know the available control strategies, 4) Implement an IPM program, & 5) Record & evaluate results.
C3: Describe the concepts of economic & action threshold levels
The economic threshold level is the pest population density (number of pests per unit area) at which control measures are needed to prevent the pest from reaching the economic injury level; primarily in agricultural & ornamental pest control. An action threshold is the pest level at which some type of pest management action should be taken; more appropriate if you are not directly involved in production. It is a predetermined pest level that is considered to be unacceptable.
C3: List several possible control tactics that may be used in an IPM strategy
1) Biological, 2) mechanical,
3) cultural, 4) physical,
5) genetic, 6) regulatory, &
7) chemical strategies.
C3: Discuss how pesticides can come in contact & move within target pests
Once a pesticide comes in contact with the target species, it can move in various ways . SYSTEMIC pesticides, once they are absorbed through the leaves or roots, are translocated within the treated plant. CONTACT pesticides must directly touch the pest or a site the pest frequents to be effective.
C3: Recognize the steps to take to minimize the development of pesticide resistance
Using different pest management strategies can help prevent or delay the occurrence of pesticide resistance. One tactic is to use products with different MODES OF ACTION to reduce the likelihood of resistance developing in a population. Changing pesticide use PATTERNS is another step that can be taken to prevent resistance development. An effective resistance management plan is based on knowing the pesticide treatment HISTORY. ALTERNATIVE pest management techniques should be used to control resistant populations, hopefully to extend & prolong the use of current pesticides.
C4: Define "label"
The pesticide LABEL includes all the info printed on & attached to the pesticide container or referred to on the label or accompanying literature;
C4: Discuss why it is important to read & understand the label
The purpose of the label is to clearly explain info on handling, storage, use, & disposal of pesticides. Because the label is a legal document, failure to read & follow that info can result in legal action.
C4: Differentiate between the types of pesticide registration
Section 3 of FIFRA: most comprehensive registration, EPA has reviewed & approved all info; Section 24(c): Iowa can limit uses or register additional uses of a federally registered pesticide, Special Local Need (SLN); Section 18 emergency exemption: a state may petition EPA for a particular product to address pest problems for which no pesticides are registered, these needs are usually based on specific public health quarantine emergency or other crises; Section 25(b): considered to pose minimum risk to humans and the environment (cinnamon, garlic, salt, etc), does not require EPA label approval & does not undergo review by the agency.
C4: Distinguish between "active" & "inert" ingredients
"ACTIVE ingredients" the part of the product responsible for controlling the target pest; "INERT ingredients" the part of the product that does not provide activity against pests.
C4: Identify the common, chemical, & brand names of active ingredients in a pesticide from a product label
Common: Imidacloprid, Chemical: 1[(6-Chloro-3-pyridininnyl) methyl]-N-..., Brand: BUGG-OUT
C4: Identify the meaning of "restricted use" classification & explain where to look for it in pesticide labeling.
Restricted use pesticides demand special attention as they could harm humans, livestock, wildlife, or the environment, EVEN WHEN used according to label directions; where to look for statement on label - at the top of the front panel of the pesticide label.
C4: Interpret the signal words & symbols on pesticide labeling
An indication of the relative acute toxicity of the product to humans & animals. Signal words & symbols: DANGER-POISON [Poison in red] (skull & crossbones) - can cause death in very low doses; DANGER - can cause SEVERE eye damage or skin irritation; WARNING - is MODERATELY toxic either orally, dermally, or through inhalation, or causes moderate eye or skin irritation; CAUTION - is SLIGHTLY toxic either orally, dermally, or through inhalation, or causes slight eye & skin irritation.
C4: Recognize how precautionary statements can assist the applicator to safeguard humans & the environment.
Three types: Hazards to Humans (and Domestic Animals) [Routes of Entry Statements, Specific Action Statements, Protective Clothing and Equipment Statements, Other Precautionary Statements]; Environmental Hazards; Physical or Chemical Hazards
C4: Interpret the statement "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling"
Examples: a site not listed, a higher-than-labeled rate, handling a pesticide in a manner that violates specific label instructions. Exceptions: a rate less than, pest not listed if site of application is listed, in combination with fertilizers, in combination with other pesticides, for an application method or equipment not prohibited on the label.
C4: Explain the responsibility to follow directions & requirements for use contained in label-referenced documents
In addition to label directions for use, pesticide users must obey directions contained in documents that are only referred to on the product labeling.
C4: Differentiate between agricultural & non-agricultural use requirements
Agricultural: used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries, or greenhouses covered by the WPS;
Non-agricultural: gives details about non-ag pesticide applications to lawns, golf courses, ornamental plantings, structures (except greenhouses), aquatic areas, & rights-of-way.
C4: Specify who is responsible for developing a pesticide's Material Safety Data Sheet
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a technical bulletin that provides you & emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling, storage, & safe use of chemical product. MANUFACTURERS of these substances are required to develop & provide upon request the MSDS for each product.
C5: Define "pesticide formulation" & identify common abbreviations used to describe formulations
A pesticide formulation may be composed of the pesticide active ingredient, inert ingredients such as organic solvent or mineral clay, adjuvants (e.g. stickers & spreaders), & other ingredients such as stabilizers & dyes. A: aerosol, B: bait, C: concentrate, D: dust, DF: dry flowable, E or EC: emulsifiable concentrate, F: flowable, G: granule, L: liquid, LC: liquid concentrate or low concentrate, M or ME: microencapsulated, P or PS: pellets, RTU: ready-to-use, S: solution, SP: soluble powder or soluble packet, ULV: ultra low volume, W or WP: wettable powder, WDG: water-dispersible granule, WSP: water soluble powder or water soluble packet (p. 41).
C5: Identify factors to consider when choosing a formulation
Consider the following factors: 1) Applicator safety;
2) Environment; 3) Plant, animal, or surface to be protected; 4) Pest biology;
5) Application equipment; & 6) Cost.
C5: Consider the advantages & disadvantages of common formulation types
(Pp. 42 - 46)
C5: Describe ways to determine whether two pesticides can be safely mixed together for application
When two or more pesticides and/or fertilizers are combined & applied at the same time, it is referred to as a tank mix. It is important to test combinations before application & read the labels of all products. Jar test
C5: Define "pesticide incompatibility" & describe two types
Incompatibility is a situation in which pesticides do not mix together properly to form a uniform solution or suspension. Incompatible mixtures that form flakes, crystals, or oily clumps, which can clog application equipment & limit the even distribution of the active ingredient. PHYSICAL incompatibility: when products do not stay uniformly mixed in the spray tank; CHEMICAL incompatibility: when a chemical reaction takes place while mixing certain pesticides in the spray tank & this reaction alters the activity of one or more of the products combined.
C5: Recognize the purpose of adjuvants & define several types
An adjuvant is a chemical that is added to the pesticide mixture to help improve the mixing, application, or effectiveness of the pesticide. 1) Surfactants: wetting agents & spreaders; 2) Stickers: extenders, 3) Plant Penetrants: ; 4) Compatibility Agents: ; 5) Buffers or pH Modifiers: ; 6) Drift Control Additives: ; 7) Defoaming Agents: ; 8) Thickeners: .
C5: Pest Formulation: A, B, C, D
Aerosol, Bait, Concentrate, Dust
C5: Pest Formulation: DF, E or EC, F, G
Dry flowable, Emulsifiable concentrate, Flowable, Granule
C5: Pest Formulation: L, LC, M or ME, P or PS
Liquid, Liquid concentrate or Low concentrate, Microencapsulated, Pellets
C5: Pest Formulation: RTU, S, SP, ULV
Ready-to-use, Solution, Soluble powder or Soluble packet, Ultra low volume
C5: Pest Formulation: W or WP, WDG, WSP
Wettable powder, Water-dispersible granule, Water soluble powder or water soluble packet.
C6: Explain the relationship between toxicity, exposure, & hazard
TOXICITY is the degree or extent to which a chemical or substance is poisonous. It is the ability of a pesticide to cause immediate (acute) or long-term (chronic) injury. EXPOSURE is the unwanted contact with pesticides, or pesticide residues by people, other organisms, or the environment. HAZARD, or risk, is the potential or likelihood for harm (injury, illness, or allergy) to occur because of product toxicity & human exposure. Hazard is a function of both the toxicity of a product & the amount of exposure.
C6: Explain the three main types of harmful effects that pesticides can cause in humans.
CONTACT effects; SYSTEMIC effects; ALLERGIC effects. Contact effects are the most common form of pesticide injury or poisoning. Skin irritation. Systemic effects occur in areas or affect body functions other than the entry point into your body. Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness,... Allergic effects involve a susceptibility to a specific substance. Dermatitis, blisters, itchy eyes, respiratory discomfort, ...
C6: Describe the four common exposure routes for pesticides into the human body
DERMAL exposure: The skin is the primary route of pesticide entry into your body. Approx 97 percent of all pesticide exposures; OCULAR exposure: The tissues of your eye are extremely absorbent because blood vessels are very close to the surface of the eye; ORAL exposure: ; RESPIRATORY exposure: .
C6: Categorize the differences in pesticide skin absorption based on body region
Scalp 32.1 %, Forehead 36.3 %, Ear canal 46.5 %, Forearm 8.6 %, Palm 11.8 %, Abdomen 18.4 %, Genital 100 %, Foot 13.6 %.
Palms & forearms are slower to absorb pesticides, while warm, moist areas (groin, armpits, head, neck, backs of hands, & tops of your feet) tend to absorb pesticides to a a greater degree.
C6: Interpret LD50 & LC50 values
Lethal Dose:: The common method used for measuring acute toxicity is the LD50. This standard toxicological term refers to the single lethal dose required to kill 50 % of a test population under a set of conditions (milligrams of toxicant per kilogram of body weight) [oral & dermal].
Lethal Concentration:: Another commonly used measure of acute toxicity is the LC50. This is the concentration of a toxicant in air & water required to kill 50 % of the test population. LC50 is generally expressed as a ratio of the proportional amount of toxicant to a total volume of water. LC50 is expressed in parts per million (ppm) for gases & vapors or micrograms per liter (mg/l) for dusts & mists.
C6: Differentiate between acute & chronic toxicity
ACUTE toxicity is a measure of how poisonous a pesticide is to an animal or human after a SINGLE exposure. Acute effects occur shortly after exposure, usually within 24 hrs.
CHRONIC toxicity refers to the harmful effects that occur from REPEATED EXPOSURES to pesticides over a period of time. Symptoms of chronic poisoning may not become evident for weeks, months, or even years after exposure.
C6: Associate the relative toxicity levels of pesticides with the signal word on the product label
Category l - Highly Toxic (Danger or Danger-Poison); Category ll - Moderately Toxic (Warning); Category lll - Slightly Toxic (Caution); Category lV - Relatively Nontoxic (Caution or no signal word).
C6: Describe some appropriate first aid for pesticide exposure
Be sure medical personnel are advised of possible pesticide contamination, the label should always be given to medical providers, if you are unable to take the label to the physician, provide at least the following information: name of pesticide, active ingredient, EPA registration number, & manufacturer of the pesticide;1) Immediately remove all contaminated clothing; 2) Wash the affected area with water & soap, then rinse well; 3) Gently dry the affected area & wrap it in loose cloth or a blanket, if necessary; 4) If the skin has chemical burns, cover the area loosely with a clean, soft cloth, avoid ointments, greases, powders, etc.
C6: Describe some general signs & symptoms of pesticide poisoning
Examples: borates (insecticides) tend to be irritating to the skin, nose, & respiratory system; Organophosphate & carbamate insecticides may cause blurred vision, excessive sweating, & salivation, muscle twitches, chest discomfort, constriction of the pupil of the eye, & other symptoms that could ultimately result in respiratory failure & death; Synthetic pyrethroid insecticides can cause nausea, dizziness, weakness, nervousness, and eye & skin irritation; Some herbicides are irritating to the skin & mucous membranes, & can cause vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, & confusion; Anticoagulant-type rodenticides may cause bloody noses & bleeding gums.
C7: Describe what PPE is
(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment is the clothing & devices worn to protect your body from contact with pesticides or pesticide residues.
C7: Identify where on the label you would find the minimum PPE required during pesticide application to be in compliance with regulations
Always read the pesticide labeling to see if it says which PPE materials are resistant to the product; some pesticide labels include a code letter (A-H) developed by EPA in the PPE description to help you select chemical resistant gloves, footwear, & aprons; the chart's code letters are based on the solvents used in the pesticide product, not the pesticide's active ingredient.
C7: Explain how to select & properly wear PPE for protection of skin, eyes, & respiratory tract
When choosing coveralls, make sure they are made of sturdy material such as cotton, polyester, denim, or a non-woven fabric such as Tyvek; 1st) the coverall needs to fit loosely
C7: Describe when & how to dispose of PPE
Discard disposable PPE when they become contaminated with pesticides. Place disposable PPE in a separate plastic bag or container prior to disposal; disposables include: chemical resistant gloves, footwear, & aprons; nonwoven coveralls & hoods, such as Tyvek; dust masks, pre-filters, canisters, filtering & vapor-removing cartridges, & some cartridge respirators.
C7: Explain how to clean, maintain, & store PPE according to manufacturers' recommendation
When you finish handling pesticides, remove your PPE right away. Start by washing the outside of gloves with detergent & running water before removing the rest of your PPE. Wash the outside of other chemical resistant items before removing gloves. PPE must be cleaned & stored away from pesticide-contaminated areas after use. Regularly inspect your PPE for pesticide contamination, wear, & damage. Properly repair or replace all damaged equipment.
C8: Identify the primary safety precautions to follow to safely transport pesticides from purchase site to storage & use sites
Inspect the vehicle, never carry pesticides in the passenger compartment, truck beds are good (steel better than wood), never stack pesticide containers higher than the sides of the vehicle, proper signs, always carry a spill kit.
C8: Explain how to select the pesticide storage site/area
Buildings used for pesticide storage: no office or living space, on the ground level. Should be located downwind & downhill from sensitive areas, unlikely to flood, soil characteristics, away from private well, public wells.
C8: Describe how temperature, light, & moisture affect stored pesticides
Temperature extremes can decrease product effectiveness, cause breakage/explosion of pesticide containers, & trigger volatilizations & drift from the storage facility. Pesticide containers should be stored out of direct sunlight. Be sure the facility is well lighted. Nonporous materials should be used to construct the floor of the pesticide storage area. Absorbent/porous materials (carpeting, wood, & soil) are not suitable; a floor that slopes into a containment system; metal buildings are better than wood frame.
C8: Explain how to respond when a damaged pesticide container is found
If you find a damaged container, immediately put on appropriate PPE & take action to prevent the pesticide from leaking or spreading into its surrounding area. If a container is already leaking, immediately contain the spill & clean up any spilled pesticide. Use that pesticide as soon as possible; transfer the pesticide into an identical, empty pesticide container.
C8: Describe how to dispose of pesticide wastes & containers according to label directions
Be sure to follow label directions for disposal of any excess or leftover product; there are only a few environmentally safe ways to dispose of leftover, banned, or unwanted pesticide concentrates; buy only the amount needed; pesticides in original, unopened, labeled containers often may be returned to the manufacturer; the DNR Land Quality Bureau Regional Collection Center (RCC) Program [conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) businesses]; properly rinsed containers generally are accepted by most landfills; a statewide, pesticide container recycling program is available to pesticide applicators.
C9: Describe how to implement emergency response procedures
Name an Emergency Coordinator, make an Emergency Calling List, prepare a Map of Your Facility, create a List of Emergency Equipment and Supplies, write down an Emergency Procedures Outline, File the Emergency Response Plan.
C9: Explain the "three C's" of spill management & steps to take in each step
Control, Contain, & Cleanup. Control: PPE, stop, isolate spill area; Contain: ; Cleanup: clean the spill site, clean up equipment, clean up PPE & yourself.
C9: Explain when a spill kit should be on hand & list several items that should be included
Keep the spill kit immediately available whenever & wherever pesticides or their containers are handled. Include the following in a kit: emergency telephone numbers; sturdy gloves; footwear; coveralls, & apron (chemically resistant); protective eyewear; an appropriate respirator; containment tubes or pads to confine spill; absorbent materials; sweeping compound for dry spills; a shovel; broom, & dustpan; heavy-duty detergent; any other spill cleanup items specified on labels of any products used regularly; a sturdy plastic container that can hold a quantity equal to the amount in the largest pesticide container & can be tightly closed.
C9: Specify local authorities to contact in the event of a pesticide spill
State authorities: Emergency Response and Homeland Security Unit (a part of DNR) [(515) 281-8694] no later than 6 hrs; Federal authorities: National Response Center (800-424-8802) within 15 min
C10: Explain how solubility, adsorption, persistence, & volatilization of a pesticide influence its movement in the environment
SOLUBILITY: highly soluble pesticides are more likely to move with water in surface runoff; ADSORPTION: a pesticide that adsorbs to soil is less likely to move from the spray site than a chemical that does not adsorb tightly to the soil; PERSISTENCE: is the ability of a pesticide to remain present & active in its original form for an extended period before degrading, also half-life; VOLATILIZATION: [Show Less]