ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERIES
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Agriculture & Natural Resources

EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849-5647
Pesticide Mixing And Loading Considerations
ANR-729, 1992, Jesse C. LaPrade, Extension Environmental Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Community Resource Development, Auburn University
Handling Pesticide Spills With Rinse Pads
      The pesticide mixing and loading site is an area where considerable concentrated pesticide can be spilled on the ground. Repeated spills increase the concentration of the pesticide in the soil, thereby, increasing the possibility of pesticides leaking through the soil to groundwater. Growers that apply a lot of pesticide should either construct a permanent Agricultural Chemical Rinse Pad or purchase and use a temporary moveable plastic pad. There are specifications for both structures available from your County Extension Office. Either of these structures will prevent inadvertent pesticide spills from contaminating your soil and entering ground or surface water.

      Any spilled pesticide must be temporarily stored in a holding tank or applied to a labeled crop or site at a concentration not to exceed the maximum labeled rate. If the pesticide is stored, the contents must be plainly labeled, showing the concentration of active ingredient and the date of storage. Any temporarily stored pesticide must be applied to a labeled crop or site as soon as possible in order to minimize the need for additional storage tanks and the breakdown of the active ingredient stored. Pesticides, dilutions, and rinsates must be contained on a suitable rinse pad and transferred to the temporary storage tank or spray tank in order to comply with federal and state pesticide regulations. All pesticide rinsate must be handled as described for spilled pesticides.

 Site Selection
      The mixing/loading site needs to be in close proximity with your pesticide storage building. Both the pesticide storage structure and the mixing/loading site should be located at least 300 feet from your well, any surface water, or sink hole. The site must be well separated from sensitive areas, such as houses and play areas. Refer to the article on PROPER PESTICIDE STORAGE for details on site selection for pesticide mixing and loading areas.
For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name for the number.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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