Safety guidelines in using herbicides CONTENTS:

Toxicity and Hazard | page 1 Classification of pesticides based on toxicity and hazard | page 1 Reading and understanding herbicide label | page 1 Safety precautions for measuring and mixing of herbicides | page 4 Transport, storage and disposal | page7

Toxicity and hazard

Toxicity innate property of the compound to produce harm. Hazard the risk or likelihood of an adverse effect.

Classification of pesticides based on toxicity and hazard

Category Number I II III IV Signal Words Danger: Poison Warning: Harmful Caution Label Color Band/Symbol Red Yellow Blue Green Acute LD50 value (Rat, mg/kg body weight) Oral Dermal Solid Liquid Solid Liquid 100 or 50 or less 200 or less 400 or less less 100 50 500 200 2000 400 4000 1000 500 2000 Over 2000 2000 3000 Over 1000 Over 3000 NA Over 4000 NA

Reading and understanding herbicide label

Product label means a display of the written, printed or graphic matter on the immediate container of any herbicide product. The best source of information concerning the safe and effective use of an herbicide is the label of the herbicide container. It is also a legal document that requires government approval. Every herbicide product label should contain the following types of information if the product is designed for the crops: 1. Trade or brand name. Each manufacturer has a brand name for their product. Different manufacturers may use different brand names for the same herbicide active ingredient. The brand name shows up plainly on the front panel of the label. Applicators should avoid choosing a pesticide product by brand name alone. Many companies use the same basic name with only minor variations to designate entirely different pesticide chemicals.
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2. Ingredient statement. Every pesticide label must list the active ingredient present in the product and appear on the front panel directly below the brand name. The amount of active ingredient may be given in several forms as a percentage by weight, as grams per liter or as pounds per gallon of concentrate. Inert ingredient is also shown in percentage of the content. 3. Common or chemical name. Many herbicides have complex chemical names. Some have been given another name to make them easier to identify. Such name is called common name. For instance 2,4-D is the common name of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. A chemical name may be made by more than one company and thus be sold under several brand names, but the same common name or chemical name will appear on the products (e.g., N-butoxymethyl-2-chloro-2',6'-diethylacetanilide, common name is butachlor is sold in the market as Direk 800 (with safener) , Machete EC, Macho 60 EC, Butachem, Butataf 60 E, Damonstress 60 EC, Midas, Sonic 60 EC, etc.). 4. Type of formulation. Different types of herbicide formulations, such as emulsifiable concentrates and dusts, require different method of handling. The label must indicate what type of formulation the package contains as the same herbicide may be available in more than one formulation. The formulation type may be coded as EC for emulsifiable concentrate, WP for wettable powder, etc.. 5. Net content of the package. The net content number indicates how much is in the container. This can be expressed in liters, grams, gallons, pints, pounds or other units of measure approved by the authorities concerned. 6. Name and address of manufacturer, distributor or formulator. The maker or distributor of a product is legally required to put the name and address of the company on the label. 7. Registration or license number. The registration number must appear on every herbicide label. It shows that the product has been registered with the Government. It should appear on the front panel of the label.

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8. Warning or signal words. Every label should carry the word KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, because most pesticide poisoning and deaths occur among children by accident. Labels usually have words in bold type such as CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER or POISON that indicate the relative toxicity of the product. The following system is often used:

Signal words Danger, poison Warning Caution No signal word Red

Color band

Toxicity High toxicity Moderately toxic Slightly toxic Relatively non-toxic

Yellow Blue Green

The language in the label should be in the local language(s) understandable to the users. 9. Hazards to humans and domestic animals. This section indicates the ways in which the product may be poisonous to man and animals. 10. Environmental hazards. Herbicides are useful tools; however, careless use could cause undesirable effects. 11. Physical and chemical hazard. This section indicates any special fire, explosion or chemical hazards posed by the product. 12. Statement of practical first aid treatment. If the product poses a hazard from ingestion, inhalation and skin or eye contact, label must indicate emergency first-aid measures. It also must indicate what types of exposure require medical attention. 13. Re-entry statement. If required, this section indicates how much time must pass before a pesticide-treated area is safe for entry by a person not wearing protective clothing. Local authorities should be consulted for special rules that may apply in specific areas. 14. Storage and disposal statement. Every pesticide should be stored and disposed of correctly. This section indicates how to store and dispose of the product as well as the containers once they have been emptied of their contents. 15. Warranty statement. Each product label specifies to what degree the manufacturer or distributor limits his warranty and liability.

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16. Misuse statement. This section is a reminder that it is a violation of most national laws to use a product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Do not use a product on a crop or for a pest not listed on the label. Do not use it at more than the recommended rate. 17. Use areas. This section lists the crops, animal and other areas on which the product can be used. On many labels those targets of application are incorporated in the directions for use and are not given separately. 18. Direction for use. The instructions on how to use the pesticide are an important part of the label. This section indicates: a. The pest which the product is registered to control. (Labels often use common names for pests, knowing these names help in choosing the proper pesticides). b. The crop, animal or other areas on which the product can be used. c. The form which the product should be applied. d. How much to use. e. Where the material should be applied. f. When it should be applied and how frequently. 19. Harvesting statement. A harvesting statement is printed on some labels when there is possibility or danger that the crop may be fed to animals or eaten or handled by humans. Because residues of the pesticide require a minimum number of days to break down, the harvesting statement is giving a specific number of days before the crop can be cut, harvested or consumed.

Safety precautions for measuring and mixing of herbicides

The risk of exposure to pesticides is greatest when ignorance and carelessness prevail. Operators and handlers of herbicide products who dilute and mix the concentrates and those who fill the spray tank of application equipment are prone to undue exposure. The hazard of exposure to herbicides can be minimized or eliminated by following these safety guidelines when handling herbicides in the field: 1. Understanding and implementing recommended dilution and rate of application. a. read the herbicide label under the topic recommended for use

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b. dilution rates of liquid and wettable powder are expressed in terms of tablespoon per spray tank capacity (10, 15, 16 or 20 liters capacity depending on sprayer type or model) c. spraying rates are expressed in terms of volume of spray per hectare (liters/ha) or tank load per hectare d. one tank load is equivalent to the sprayer capacity (depending model). e. granules are pre-mixed and are applied directly without mixing in water. 2. Use proper equipment and containers a. Liquids i. Plastic measuring caps marked with tablespoon scales (or milliliters) and with handle. ii. Measuring jugs for large volume spray mixtures. b. Powders i. Plastic measuring caps marked with tablespoon scales (or milliliters) and with handle. ii. Weighing scales for large volume spray mixtures. 3. Proper mixing procedure a. Liquid concentrates can mix readily with water. The required amount can be poured directly into sprayer tank partly filled with water then filled with water to the correct level. b. Wettable powders wettable powders should be mixed first with a small amount of water to form a creamy state then poured into the sprayer tank. Water is then added to the correct level and then stirred well. c. Ready to use products such as granules can be scooped from their packs into plastic buckets (container) for broadcast application. 4. Proper precautions to be observed while mixing and measuring a. Do not fill sprayers to full. It may spill during use or while mounting knapsack sprayers to the applicator. b. Do not mix spray volume in excess to what can be applied during the same day. c. Avoid skin contamination. Wear recommended hand gloves during mixing. d. Do not measure or mix herbicides in or near buildings where animals are kept. e. Keep children and animals away. f. Do not contaminate water supplies, water can, containers from which animals may drink. g. Never use hands to scoop or stir herbicides spray mixtures h. Use cleanest water available for diluting spray mixtures i. Handle wettable powders carefully to avoid fluffing. j. Keep herbicides in closed original containers. k. Do not transfer liquid concentrates into empty softdrink bottles or other food containers. l. Wash all measuring equipment after use.

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5. Follow these procedures in case of herbicide spillage. a. Wash contaminated skin with soap and water. b. Remove immediately contaminated clothing and wash. c. Keep people and animals away. d. Do not smoke or light match near spillage. e. Use soil or sawdust to absorb liquids; sweep carefully and bury in a place away from wells and waterways. f. Thoroughly wash down contaminated equipment. g. Wear protective clothing during clean-up operations. Safety guidelines during field application of herbicides 1. Causes of exposure due to faulty application equipment. a. Use of leaky equipment b. Clogged nozzles c. Faulty equipment 2. Precautionary measures during field application of pesticides a. Wear appropriate protective clothing. Wearing a hat, face mask, long sleeved shirt and long pants made of cotton are recommended. b. Do not spray during presence of strong winds. Do not spray against the wind to avoid inhalation of the spray droplets. c. Never leave herbicide containers and equipment open and unattended in the field. d. Do not blow clogged nozzles or hoses with your mouth. e. Never eat, drink or smoke when mixing or applying herbicides. f. Keep all people and animals away. g. Do not allow children to apply herbicides. h. Always have plenty of water available for washing.

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Transport, storage and disposal

Transport. Keep herbicides away from passengers, livestock and foodstuffs with special care to ensure that no person(s) or their belonging, or foodstuffs, are put at risk from leaking or contaminated containers. Whenever possible do not load pesticides into vehicle carrying passengers, livestock, foodstuffs, and other material for human or animal consumption. If travelling on public transport, supervise loading of herbicide yourself. Small herbicide packs (1 kg or 1 liter), should be packed in a plastic bag and carried separately to the farm. They must not be carried along with food.

Storage. Herbicides must always be stored under lock and key in a secure place, out of the reach of unauthorized people, children and animals. Storage area must be away from food or feed storage, stoves or lamps, or fires. Prevent deterioration of packaging materials and keep lid of bottles tightly closed. Do not put herbicides into drinking bottles or food container keep it in their original containers. Smoking, drinking or eating is forbidden inside the stock area. Put on protective clothing (gloves, boots and eye protection) as recommended in the label when cleaning leaks or spillage of herbicides.

Disposal procedures. The following are recommended procedures and safety precautions to observe when disposing herbicide containers and leftovers: 1. Pesticide containers a. Cartoons and papers by burning b. Glass bottles by breaking and burying c. Plastic/cans to be punctured and buried d. Pressurized containers by burying. Bury these containers in a landfill at least 18 inches deep e. Burn cardboard packaging in open field away from dwelling and cropped areas. Do not stand in the smoke of such fires and keep people away. f. Do not throw herbicide containers into rivers, streams and ponds. g. Never empty herbicide containers for storing food, drinking water for human or animals. 2. Excess herbicide mixtures a. Burying b. Re-spray treated areas
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3. Spills to be absorbed in sawdust or soil and be buried.

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