Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Do not spray directly into any electronic equipment or into outlets
and switches, or any other location where the pesticide may foul or
short-circuit contacts and circuits.
•
A visible deposit may occur on some dark surfaces.
II.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Concerns about wildlife and the environment are becoming more impor-
tant in decisions about which pesticides will be registered and what they may
be used for. Two environmental concerns are receiving particular attention:
1.
Protection of groundwater.
2.
Protection of endangered species.
Federal and state efforts to protect groundwater and endangered species are
resulting in new instructions and limitations for pesticide handlers and applica-
tors. Whether you apply pesticides indoors or outdoors, in an urban area or in
a rural area, you must become aware of the importance of protecting these two
vital national resources. Pesticides that are incorrectly or accidentally released
into the environment—either during application or during other handling ac-
tivities, such as mixing, loading, equipment cleaning, storage, transportation,
or disposal—pose a threat to groundwater and endangered species.
Whether you must take special action to protect groundwater and endan-
gered species depends mainly on the location of the use site. Groundwater
contamination is of greatest concern in release sites where groundwater is
close to the surface or where the soil type or the geology allows contaminants
to reach groundwater easily. Protection of endangered species usually is re-
quired only in locations where they currently live or are being reintroduced.
Read the pesticide labeling carefully to determine whether your pesticide use is
subject to any special ground water or endangered species limitations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may establish specific limi-
tations or instructions for pesticide users in locations where groundwater or
endangered species are most at risk. These limitations and instructions are of-
ten too long to be included in pesticide labeling. The labeling may tell you
that you must consult another source for the details about the instructions and
limitations that apply in your situation. Your legal responsibility for follow-
ing instructions that are distributed separately is the same as it is for instruc-
tions that appear in full on the pesticide labeling.
