Lock Down Your Pesticides

Pesticide safety and security in storage are often taken for granted, until an accident occurs. As trained and licensed pesticide applicators we should always be prepared for the unexpected, especially at our storage facilities. If you are storing pesticides you should know how to prevent storage accidents as well as the appropriate response, should an accident occur.

Pesticide Storage: Although many pesticide users use areas within existing buildings for pesticide storage, it is always best to have a separate facility just for pesticides. A well designed and maintained pesticide storage site:

• Protects people and animals from exposure to pesticides
• Reduces the chances of environmental contamination
• Prevents damage to pesticides from temperature extremes, excess moisture and other environmental extremes
• Safeguards pesticides from theft, vandalism and unauthorized use
• Reduces the likelihood of liability

Secure the Site: Keeping out unauthorized people, pets and other animals is an important function of a well designed storage facility. No matter the size of the storage facility you are using, always keep it securely locked, post highly visible warning signs on doors and windows to alert people that pesticides are stored inside. Keep in mind that many pesticides are highly flammable, so to make sure to post “No Smoking” signs as well.

Prevent Water Damage: Make sure to locate your pesticide storage facility where water damage is unlikely to occur. Carefully consider soil and land surface characteristics when selecting a storage site to help prevent contamination of surface or groundwater. You would not want to locate your storage facility near a stream that could be likely to flood, or where potential run-off into the stream could be an issue. In certain situations it might be necessary to construct dikes or other containment structures around your storage facility to prevent run-off. A common recommendation is to set storage areas back at least 50 feet from a well to help prevent groundwater contamination (requirements may vary by state). Water or excess moisture can damage pesticide containers and their contents:

• Metal containers may rust
• Paper and cardboard containers will split and crumble
• Pesticide labeling could peel off, smear or otherwise become unreadable
• Dry pesticides can clump, degrade or dissolve
• Slow release pesticides can release their active ingredients

Control the Temperature: Make sure your pesticide storage facility is well ventilated and well insulated. Exhaust fans directed to the outside of the building will reduce temperatures as well as remove dust and vapors from the building. Ventilation from the storage facility into other rooms is an unsafe practice and should be avoided at all cost. The pesticide label will often specify the temperature limits for storage of a product. Keep in mind that temperature extremes can decrease the effectiveness of some pesticides. Freezing temperatures can result in breakage of glass and/or plastic containers. Excessive heat can melt plastics, lead to volatilization and drift of some pesticides and could cause some glass containers to explode under pressure.

Provide Adequate Lighting: Be sure the pesticide storage facility is well lit. Pesticide applicators using the facility must be able to see well enough to read the pesticide label as well as notice whether containers or leaking or eroding. Dimly lit areas will also make it difficult for the pesticide handler to clean up any spills or leaks. Because some pesticides are highly volatile, use only spark-proof lighting fixtures and switches.

Use Nonporous Materials: The floor of your pesticide storage facility should be constructed of sealed cement, glazed ceramic tile, no-wax sheet flooring or other material that is free of cracks and easy to clean and decontaminate in case of a spill or leak. A floor that slopes into a containment system helps to keep spilled or leaking pesticides within a confined area. For other ease of clean-up you should use shelving and floor pallets that are made of non-absorbent materials such as plastic or metal.

Maintain the Storage Site: Store only pesticides, pesticide equipment and a spill cleanup kit at the storage site. Never store food, drinks, tobacco, feed, medication, medical or other veterinary supplies, seeds, clothing or PPE, other than necessary for emergency response at the site. Have a clean water supply available for decontamination.

Keep Labels Legible: Store pesticides with the labels in plain sight. Costly errors can result if the wrong pesticide is used. Be sure labels are always legible; if the label is destroyed or damaged immediately mark the container with basic information such as the trade name and common name of the product, the EPA registration number, the percentage of each active ingredient, the signal word and the use classification. As soon as possible you should request a replacement label from the pesticide manufacturer or distributor.

Store Pesticide Containers Safely: Always store pesticides only in their original container or an acceptable service container designed for pesticides. Always write the trade name, common name, EPA registration number and signal word on the container. NEVER use milk jugs, soft drink bottles, fruit jars or other non-pesticide containers for pesticide storage. Besides being illegal, switching containers has resulted in serious poisonings because people tend to associate the shape, size and color of a container with its “usual” contents. Never lend or borrow any pesticide products in an unmarked or unlabeled container. Keep contents securely closed when not in use. Dry formulations tend to clump when wet or subjected to high humidity. Opened bags of wettable and soluble powders, dry flowables, dusts, and granules can be placed into sealable plastic bags or other suitable containers to reduce moisture absorption and to help prevent spills. Place large drums and heavy bags on plastic pallets; store other pesticides on metal shelving, placing the heaviest containers on the lower shelves. Do not allow containers to extend beyond the edge of the shelving, because they could be easily bumped or knocked off. Store pesticides that are volatile, separately, to avoid possible cross-contamination of other pesticides or fertilizers.

Take precaution to safely and securely store your crop protection products.