Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
“Wastes” include rinsed containers, excess pesticides, pesticide dilutions
and rinse and wash water that contain a listed chemical and cannot be used.
Triple-rinsed pesticide containers are not considered hazardous waste under
RCRA and can be disposed of in sanitary landfills.
RCRA regulates pesticide users who accumulate wastes of acutely toxic
pesticides totaling 2.2 pounds or more a month or wastes of any RCRA-
regulated pesticides totaling 2,200 pounds per month. Such users must regis-
ter as a generator of hazardous waste and obtain an ID number from EPA,
state, or tribe and follow certain disposal requirements. To find out if a pesti-
cide is listed in RCRA, call the EPA RCRA Hotline 1-800-424-9346.
C.
SPILL MANAGEMENT
A spill is any accidental release of a pesticide. As careful as people try to
be, pesticide spills can and do occur. The spill may be minor, involving only
a dribble from a container, or it may be major, involving large amounts of
pesticide or pesticide-containing materials such as wash water, soil, and ab-
sorbents.
You must know how to respond correctly when a spill occurs. Stopping
large leaks or spills is often not simple. If you cannot manage a spill by
yourself, get help. Even a spill that appears to be minor can endanger you,
other people, and the environment if not handled correctly. Never leave a spill
unattended. When in doubt, get assistance.
You can get help from Chemtrec (Chemical Transportation Emergency Center)
by calling 1-800-424-9300. Use this number only for emergencies.
The faster you can contain, clean up, and dispose of a spill, the less
chance there is that it will cause harm. Clean-up most spills immediately.
Even minor dribbles or spills should be cleaned up before the end of the work
day to keep unprotected persons or animals from being exposed.
A good way to remember the steps for a spill emergency is the "three Cs:
Control, Contain, Clean-up.
1.
Control the Spill Situation
a.
Protect Yourself
Put on appropriate personal protective equipment before contacting the
spill or breathing its fumes. If you do not know how toxic the pesticide is or
what type of personal protective equipment to wear, don't take a chance. Wear
