Unit 11 Transportation, Storage, Disposal, and Spill Cleanup
- Transportation of Pesticides
- Pesticide Storage
- Disposal
- Spill Management
Learning Objectives Unit 11 Transportation, Storage, Disposal, and Spill Cleanup
After you complete your study of this unit, you should be able to:
- Describe how to protect pesticide containers during transport.
- Name actions needed to establish and maintain a safe storage site.
- Describe what to do when a pesticide container leaks.
- Explain what to do with excess pesticides that are still usable.
- List acceptable ways to dispose of pesticide wastes.
- List ways to avoid the need to dispose of pesticide containers.
- Explain the "three C's" of spill management and steps to take in each.
- List sources of assistance for managing a spill.
- Explain when a spill kit should be on hand.
Test Your Knowledge Unit 11 Transportation, Storage, Disposal, and Spill Cleanup
Q. What precautions should you take when you transport pesticides in a vehicle?
A. You should take the following precautions when transporting pesticides in a vehicle:
- Never carry pesticides in the passenger section.
- Never allow children, other passengers, and pets to ride with pesticides.
- Never transport pesticides with food, clothing, or other things meant to be eaten or in contact with people or animals.
- Never leave your vehicle unattended when transporting pesticides in an unlocked trunk compartment or open-bed truck.
- Consider transporting highly volatile pesticides in separate trip! from other chemicals.
Q. What steps should you take to protect pesticide containers during transport?
A. You should take the following steps to protect pesticide containers during transport:
- Transport containers with intact, undamaged, and readable labels.
- Inspect containers to be sure that all openings are tightly close and that there are no pesticides on the outside of the containers.
- Handle containers carefully.
- Anchor all containers securely.
- Protect paper and cardboard containers from moisture.
- Protect pesticides from extreme temperatures.
Q. List four actions that you should take to establish a safe storage site.
A. Keep unauthorized people out; prevent water damage;
control the temperature; provide adequate lighting; use nonporous materials; prevent runoff; provide clean water.
Q. List four actions that you should take to maintain a safe storage site.
A. Prevent contamination; keep labels legible; keep
containers closed; use original containers; watch for damage; store volatile products separately; isolate waste products; know your inventory; consider shelf life.
Q. When a pesticide container is damaged, what actions can you take?
A. You should:
- Use the pesticide immediately at a site and rate allowed by the labeling.
- Transfer the pesticide into another pesticide container that originally held the same pesticide and has the same label still intact.
- Transfer the contents to a sturdy container that can be tightly closed and fasten the label to the outside of the new container.
- Place the entire damaged container and its contents into a suitable larger container.
Q. If you have excess pesticide materials that are still usable, what can you do with them?
A. Apply them to a site listed on the labeling; find
someone else who can legally use them; return them to the dealer, formulator, or manufacturer.
Q. If you have pesticide wastes (other than empty containers) what can you do with them?
A. Dispose in a hazardous waste landfill or pesticide incinerator, or store until disposal is possible.
Q. List three ways to avoid the need for disposing of empty pesticide containers as wastes.
A. Use refillable containers; recycle or recondition the containers; use soluble packaging.
Q. What do the three C's of spill management stand for?
A. Control, Contain, Clean up.
Q. What should you do to control a spill situation?
A. Protect yourself; stop the source of the spill; protect others; stay at the site.
Q. How should you contain a spill?
A. Confine the spill; protect water sources; absorb liquids; cover dry materials.
Q. What should cleanup include?
A. Clean up the spill; decontaminate the spill site;
neutralize the spill site, if necessary; decontaminate equipment; decontaminate yourself.
Q. Who can you call when you need help to manage a spill?
A. Chemtrec; emergency numbers on pesticide labeling;
police department or highway patrol; fire department; public health department.
Q. When should you have a spill kit on hand?
A. Every time a pesticide or pesticide container is handled.