Environmental Environmental ConcernsConcerns

Montana State UniversityMontana State University

Pesticide Safety Education ProgramPesticide Safety Education Program

What is this?What is this?

Union Carbide Pesticide Manufacturing PlantUnion Carbide Pesticide Manufacturing Plant December 3December 3rdrd, 1984, 1984 8,000 initial dead8,000 initial dead 15,000 more within 10 years15,000 more within 10 years 500,000 suffer injuries500,000 suffer injuries water wells near the site show overall chemical water wells near the site show overall chemical

contamination to be 500 times higher than the contamination to be 500 times higher than the maximum limits recommended by the World maximum limits recommended by the World Health Organization. Health Organization.

cancer, genetic defects (birth defects), and liver cancer, genetic defects (birth defects), and liver and kidney damage. and kidney damage.

Bhopal, India DisasterBhopal, India Disaster

Acute and Chronic Acute and Chronic ProblemsProblems

This pesticide caused This pesticide caused blindness for many of blindness for many of those who survived.those who survived.

However, how could we However, how could we have saved the lives of have saved the lives of potentially 15,000 more potentially 15,000 more lives from chronic effects lives from chronic effects of this disaster (cancer, of this disaster (cancer, etc..)etc..)

How does this relate to How does this relate to youyou

We drink well waterWe drink well water 50% of Montana Citizens drink well water50% of Montana Citizens drink well water 95% of those living in agricultural 95% of those living in agricultural

communitiescommunities

Restricted Use Applicators of Major Restricted Use Applicators of Major Concern in Montana Ag. AreasConcern in Montana Ag. Areas You are the greatest risk factor for your own You are the greatest risk factor for your own

healthhealth

Understanding your pesticides Understanding your pesticides characteristics: #1characteristics: #1

SolubilitySolubility Is the measure of the ability of a pesticide to Is the measure of the ability of a pesticide to

dissolve in a solvent, usually water. dissolve in a solvent, usually water. Ex. Higher solubility Ex. Higher solubility More leaching More leaching

Examples of Examples of solubilitiessolubilities of various insecticidesof various insecticides

Chemical Water Solubility

Methyl Parathion insecticide low

Carbaryl insecticide low

PCNB fungicide very low

Disulfoton insecticide low

Malathion insecticide low

Chlorthalonil fungicide very low

Phorate insecticide low

Diazinon insecticide low

Methamidophos insecticide high

Texas A&M online bulletinhttp://entowww.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/b-6050.html

Understand your Understand your environment related to the environment related to the solubilitysolubility of your pesticide of your pesticide

Precipitation following your spray activityPrecipitation following your spray activity High ground waterHigh ground water

Understanding your pesticides Understanding your pesticides characteristics: #2characteristics: #2

PersistencePersistence The ability of a pesticide to remain present The ability of a pesticide to remain present

and active in its original form for an and active in its original form for an extended period prior to breaking down.extended period prior to breaking down.

Ex. Does not break down Ex. Does not break down present at present at wrong siteswrong sites

Pesticide Persistence in Soils

Low Persistence (half-life <30 days)

Moderate Persistence (half-life 30-100 days)

High Persistence (half-life >100 days)

Aldicarb Aldrin Bromacil

Captan Atrazine Chlordane

Dalapon Carbaryl Lindane

Dicamba Carbofuran Paraquat

Malathion Diazinon Picloram

Methyl Parathion Endrin Trifluralin

Oxamyl Fonofos

2,4-D Glyphosate

2,4,5-T Heptachlor

Acie C. Waldron, Pesticides and Groundwater Contamination, Ohio State University

Extension Bulletin 820, 1992 available at <http://ohioline.ag.ohio-state.edu/b820/index.html>.

Understand your environment Understand your environment related to the persistence of related to the persistence of your pesticideyour pesticide

HydrolysisHydrolysis: The breakdown of chemicals : The breakdown of chemicals with water increases in soils with a high with water increases in soils with a high pH.pH. If > 8.0 (highly alkaline) If > 8.0 (highly alkaline) lower the pH for better results: lower the pH for better results:

Use Buffercide, Bufferplus, Unifilm B, or Nutra Plus.Use Buffercide, Bufferplus, Unifilm B, or Nutra Plus. Recommend water within a range of 4 – 7Recommend water within a range of 4 – 7

Microbial ActionMicrobial Action - Process by which chemicals are - Process by which chemicals are degraded by bacteria or fungidegraded by bacteria or fungi

PhotodegradationPhotodegradation: the breakdown of chemicals by : the breakdown of chemicals by sunlightsunlight

Understanding your pesticides Understanding your pesticides characteristics - #3characteristics - #3

AdsorptionAdsorption Process whereby a pesticide binds to soil Process whereby a pesticide binds to soil

particles. particles. Occurs because of an attraction between the Occurs because of an attraction between the

chemical and soil particles.chemical and soil particles. Oil soluble pesticides usually bind moreOil soluble pesticides usually bind more Water soluble pesticides bind less to soilWater soluble pesticides bind less to soil + charged pesticides bind more to – charged soil.+ charged pesticides bind more to – charged soil.

Understand your environment Understand your environment related to the related to the adsorptionadsorption of your of your pesticidepesticide

Infiltration and TextureInfiltration and Texture

Types of Soil Texture & Types of Soil Texture & Adsorption / InfiltrationAdsorption / Infiltration

Texture Infiltration Sand, Loamy Sand Very Rapid and Rapid Sandy Loam Moderately Rapid Loam, Silt Loam Moderate Sandy Clay Loam Moderately Slow Clay Loam, Silty Clay Loam Moderately Slow Sandy Clay Moderately Slow Silty Clay, Clay Slow and Very Slow

RATE and InfiltrationRATE and Infiltration

Understanding your pesticides Understanding your pesticides characteristics - #4characteristics - #4

VolatilityVolatility Tendency of a pesticide to turn into a gas or Tendency of a pesticide to turn into a gas or

vapor.vapor. dividing the dividing the

pesticide's vapor pesticide's vapor

pressure by its waterpressure by its water

solubility = volatilitysolubility = volatility

Ex. Volatilization of a high volatile 2, 4-D ester is 24 times greater than of a low volatile 2, 4-D ester.

Understand your environment Understand your environment related to the related to the volatilityvolatility of your of your pesticidepesticide

Volatility is increased by?Volatility is increased by? High temperatureHigh temperature

Ester 2, 4-D volatilization tripled with a Ester 2, 4-D volatilization tripled with a temperature increase from 60 to 80 degrees.temperature increase from 60 to 80 degrees.

Wise not to spray in temperatures over 80 Wise not to spray in temperatures over 80 degrees F.degrees F.

Low Relative HumidityLow Relative Humidity Increases volatilizationIncreases volatilization

Pesticide Movement: Leaching PotentialPesticide Movement: Leaching Potential

HerbicideSolubility

(ppm)Half-life(days)

Koc(ml/g)

LeachingPotential

2,4-D acid 890 10 80 medium

clopyralid 1,000 <30 6 high

dicamba 6,500 20 8 high

glyphosate 90,000 50 24,000 very low

metsulfuron* 6,000 30 40 low

picloram 430 30-200 16 high

Pesticide Movement: Runoff RiskPesticide Movement: Runoff Risk

Herbicide LeachabilityRunoff

Potential2,4-D amine medium medium

clopyralid high low

dicamba high low

glyphosate very low high

metsulfuron low medium

picloram high low

Detected in Montana?Detected in Montana?

Herbicide LeachabilityRunoff

PotentialDetectedIn Water

2,4-D amine medium medium yes

clopyralid high low

dicamba high low yes

glyphosate very low high

metsulfuron low medium

picloram high low yes

Pesticide Movement: Drift RiskPesticide Movement: Drift Risk

What effects DriftWhat effects Drift

High TemperaturesHigh Temperatures Do not spray in temperatures exceeding 85 Do not spray in temperatures exceeding 85

degrees F. Questionable over 80.degrees F. Questionable over 80. WindWind

Do not spray in wind speeds >8 mphDo not spray in wind speeds >8 mph Volatilization potential of your pesticideVolatilization potential of your pesticide Nozzle heightNozzle height Spray droplet sizeSpray droplet size

Nozzles and DriftNozzles and Drift

Larger diameter nozzles decrease drift!Larger diameter nozzles decrease drift!

Overview: What factors are at play Overview: What factors are at play in the movement of pesticides in in the movement of pesticides in the environment?the environment?

#1 – Pesticide Factors#1 – Pesticide Factors-Solubility-Solubility -Rate-Rate

-Persistence-Persistence -Volatility-Volatility-Adsorption-Adsorption

#2 – Soil Characteristics#2 – Soil Characteristics-Shallow Ground Water-Shallow Ground Water

-pH-pH-Texture of Soil-Texture of Soil

#3 – Environmental Conditions#3 – Environmental Conditions-Precipitation-Precipitation -Temperature-Temperature

-Humidity-Humidity -Wind-Wind

How do we reduce risk?How do we reduce risk?

#1 – Mixing & Loading Locations#1 – Mixing & Loading Locations

#2 - Filling Tanks#2 - Filling Tanks

#3 – Read Label#3 – Read Label

Any Problems?Any Problems?

Mixing/Loading SitesMixing/Loading Sites

Watch out for Back Siphoning Watch out for Back Siphoning when Filling Tankswhen Filling Tanks

Read LabelRead Label

PicloramPicloram

Some chemicals are labeled Some chemicals are labeled for use on Riparian areasfor use on Riparian areas

2.4-D Aquatic2.4-D Aquatic RodeoRodeo BanvelBanvel Escort, TellarEscort, Tellar KreniteKrenite PlateauPlateau RoundupRoundup ForefrontForefront MilestoneMilestone

Spill – What do we do?Spill – What do we do?

Stepped ConcernsStepped Concerns Safety (protect yourself)Safety (protect yourself) ControlControl ContainmentContainment ReportingReporting CleanupCleanup

Clean upClean up AbsorbentAbsorbent ShovelShovel BagsBags Emergency ContactsEmergency Contacts

When do you call MDA?When do you call MDA?If over 5 gallons of mixed solution or 100lb dry

RECAPRECAP

Remember, your family members may be Remember, your family members may be the most at risk.the most at risk. Elderly, and children at most riskElderly, and children at most risk

Local Update: National Local Update: National Park Service StudyPark Service Study DDT and Dieldrin found in many national parks including DDT and Dieldrin found in many national parks including

Glacier National Park, MT: Air Contaminants StudyGlacier National Park, MT: Air Contaminants Study Should we be concerned?Should we be concerned?

No!No!

DDT and other organochlorines are found DDT and other organochlorines are found around the world. around the world. DDT found in ice cores in DDT found in ice cores in

antarctica antarctica DDT is within everyone in this DDT is within everyone in this

roomroom

The real question is how much!The real question is how much!

Air Contaminants StudyAir Contaminants Study(Glacier National Park)(Glacier National Park)

DDT and Dieldrin delisted by the EPA in the 60’s and DDT and Dieldrin delisted by the EPA in the 60’s and 70’s. 70’s.

DDT Exceeded Human Risk Threshold for subsistence DDT Exceeded Human Risk Threshold for subsistence fisherman (eating 19 meals of fish per month)fisherman (eating 19 meals of fish per month)

Dieldrin Exceeded Human Risk Threshold for 2.3 Dieldrin Exceeded Human Risk Threshold for 2.3 meals of fish per month.meals of fish per month.

Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Persistence, worldwide Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Persistence, worldwide distributiondistribution

Practice Safe Use: Follow Product Practice Safe Use: Follow Product

LabelLabel

Contact InformationContact Information

Montana State UniversityMontana State University

Pesticide Safety Education ProgramPesticide Safety Education Program

www.pesticides.montana.eduwww.pesticides.montana.edu