(News Release For: "The Pesticide Label")

      Farmers and other agricultural professionals usually know how to find all the information they need about chemicals and their use. For those who don't, though, the answer is simpler than you might think; read the label.
      Federal regulations require certain information to appear in certain locations on every pesticide label. All pesticide labels should contain the following information: brand name; chemical name; common name; type of pesticide formulation; ingredient statement; net contents; name and address of manufacturer; registration and establishment numbers; signal words and symbol; precautionary statements; environmental hazards; statement of practical treatment; statement of use classification; directions for use; misuse statement; reentry statement; waiting periods; category of application; and storage and disposal directions.
      For further explanation of these terms and for information on other agricultural chemical questions, contact your ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be glad to make copies of articles you need.

Radio/TV Release: Chemical Labels

      If you are a farmer or other agricultural professional, you probably know exactly where to go to find information on the proper use of agricultural chemicals. But if you don't, the answer is simpler than you might think; check the label. Federal regulations require 19 pieces of information to be placed on the label. If you need assistance in deciphering the information, contact your ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you to ensure the safe and sane use of chemicals. They'll also make copies of any articles you might need.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "An Explanation Of Material Safety Data Sheets")

      The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Worker Right-to-Know Law and SARA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Law require that material safety data sheets (MSDS) be supplied with pesticides and fertilizer products upon request. MSDS are available from the manufacturer for each pesticide and fertilizer product sold and should be available to the buyer at the point of sale.
      If you use pesticides or fertilizers you need to know how to read the MSDS and you need to understand the information supplied. Now there's an easy way to get the information. Pay a visit to the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains all the information you'll need about MSDS. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you might want to keep. If you use pesticides, be smart. Get all the information you can to protect yourself, your family and the environment.

Radio/TV Release: Material Safety Data Sheets Explained

      Just what is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and why should you care? If you handle or use pesticides and fertilizer products, it's time you got answers to these questions. Protect yourself, your family and the environment by knowing as much as possible about the pesticides and fertilizers you use. Drop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains the information you need about MSDS, and Extension personnel will be glad to go over it with you. They'll also supply copies of any information you'd like to take with you.
      If you use chemicals, be informed and be safe.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "Concerns When Mixing And Loading Chemicals")

      Farmers may unknowingly be contaminating groundwater simply by the way they wash their sprayer. Dumping unused chemicals, flushing tanks and booms, washing of the sprayer or even letting it sit in the rain can cause a chemical build-up in the soil that could result in groundwater contamination.
      The presence of chemicals in groundwater is a major concern. Farmers are subject to the same EPA regulations as custom applicators and commercial suppliers. Consequently, farmers are liable for the massive cleanup costs that might result from improper disposal of chemical wastes.
      According to EPA regulations, water used to rinse the inside of the spray tanks or plumbing is a hazardous waste. Even the material washed off the outside of the sprayer is classified as hazardous. While there are several options for disposing of this waste, the only practical method for farmers is to reuse the material, applying it at label rates.
      However, reuse may not be as simple as it sounds. It requires a fairly complex system. If you would like to get more information on such a system or on anything else having to do with pesticides or pesticide use, contact the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the new handbook entitled Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. Extension personnel will be happy to help you find the information you need and to answer any questions you may have. They'll also make copies of any of the handbook articles you would like to take with you.

Radio/TV Release: Washing Chemical Sprayers May Lead To Water Contamination

      Farmers--you may unknowingly be contaminating groundwater simply by the way you wash your sprayer. EPA regulations generally say that when spraying hazardous chemicals, any water used to rinse the inside of the spray tanks or plumbing is a hazardous waste. Even the material washed off the outside of the sprayer is classified as hazardous. Do you know what your responsibilities and options are? To find out, visit the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. It's filled with articles on this and other pesticide-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to help you find the information you need, and they'll make copies of any articles you would like to take with you.
      Don't wait; get the information today and avoid problems tomorrow.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "Pesticide Mixing And Loading Considerations")

      Pesticide users need to remember that the mixing and loading site is an area where the danger of groundwater contamination is high. Repeated spills increase the concentration of the pesticide in the soil and that increases the possibility of pesticides leaking through the soil to groundwater.
      Growers who apply large amounts of pesticide should either construct a permanent agricultural chemical rinse pad or purchase and use a temporary movable plastic pad. There are specifications for both available from the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality.
      This new handbook was compiled by Extension Environmental Specialist J.C. LaPrade and Extension Agricultural Engineer Charles Ogburn. It contains articles written by Extension experts and others concerning pesticides and pesticide use. Extension personnel will be happy to help you find the information you need in order to keep our environment safe. They'll also make copies of articles you would like to take with you.

Radio/TV Release: Contamination Danger High At Mixing/Loading Sites

      If you're mixing and loading pesticide, you need to remember that any area where considerable concentrated pesticide is spilled on the ground is a prime location for groundwater contamination. Repeated spills will eventually leak through the soil and into the groundwater. The problem can be avoided, though, by the construction of a permanent agricultural chemical rinse pad or the purchase and use of a temporary movable plastic pad. If you need further information on this or other pesticide related problems, contact the ________________ County Extension office. Ask to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. Extension personnel will be happy to make copies of any articles you would like to take with you. We know that you want to keep doing your part to keep our environment safe.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "Design Specification For Chemical Containment And Mixing/Loading Pad Requirements")

      If you use large quantities of pesticides and other chemicals, you may want to consider building a mixing/loading pad. Such a pad can help protect you and the environment from accidental or repeated spills.
      Before beginning such a project, be sure you have the correct specifications. For instance, what type cement will you use? What should the thickness of the pad be? How should the materials be mixed?
      If you need help with these and the many other questions that will come up, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains complete instructions for building a pad, and Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you. They'll also provide copies of all the information you need.
      Don't take chances; do the job right the first time.

Radio/TV Release: Mixing/Loading Pad Requirements

      Farmers, if you're planning to finally build that mixing/loading pad, be sure you have the correct plans for the job. A visit to your ________________ County Extension Office will save you time and money. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains complete plans for the construction of a mixing/loading pad, and Extension personnel will be glad to discuss them with you. They'll also provide you with copies of the plans to take with you.
      Remember, if you're going to invest the time and money, make sure you're doing it right the first time.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "Constructing An Inexpensive Agricultural Chemical Rinse Pad")

      One of the toughest jobs farmers and other ag chemical users face today is keeping up with government regulations. Anticipating what new regulations may face them tomorrow is next to impossible. However, some areas of ag chemical use seem more vulnerable to change than others.
      For example, the Alliance for a Clean Rural Environment (ACRE) cautions farmers not to repeatedly load and rinse equipment in the same location and certainly not directly next to wells or surface water. Yet, it's a mistake commonly made, since that's where the water for mixing and rinsing is located.
      So, what's the answer? Farmers may want to construct a cement rinse pad to prevent inadvertently spilled ag chemicals from leaching into groundwater or contaminating streams or ponds. To get information on such a pad, drop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and many other chemical-related topics.
      Extension personnel will be glad to go over the information and instructions with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.

Radio/TV Release: Rinse Pad May Save Money And Help The Environment

      Farmers, like other concerned citizens, want to do their part to keep the environment safe. As users of agricultural chemicals, farmers can have a direct impact on the environment by making sure they are using the chemicals correctly. One way to do so is by building a rinse pad for mixing/loading ag chemicals. If you would like more information on rinse pads, including building instructions, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and many other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will go over the material with you and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home. So, don't wait; take a positive step towards a cleaner environment for yourself, your family, and for Alabama.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "Portable Containment System")

      Groundwater contamination is a major concern of the agricultural industry. Point source spills and activities at pesticide mixing and loading sites are major sources of contamination. For this reason, it is important for pesticide users to use a pesticide containment facility. While most containment facilities are permanent, there are times when such sites are not practical or desirable. In those cases, portable containment systems may be the answer.
      There are several different portable units currently available. Getting the right system for your situation is all-important. If you are unsure how to go about identifying the right system, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and many other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel can go over the information with you and answer any questions you might have. They will also make copies of any articles in the handbook that you might want to take with you.
      Make sure you do the job right. Get the best information from the best source. Stop by your Extension office today.

Radio/TV Release: Portable Containment Systems May Prevent Contamination

      If you've thought about building a containment system for your agricultural operation, but such a permanent site just wasn't practical, there may still be a solution for you. Why not consider a portable containment system? There are several types available, and all of them will allow you to do your part to protect the environment. If you'd like to get more information on such a system, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you, and they'll make copies of any information you'd like to take home. Stop by today and get the best information from the best source: The Alabama Cooperative Extension System.    Back to Contents

(News Release For: "Care Of Clothing Worn During Pesticide Application")

      Farmers and pesticide applicators need to know that the need for pesticide safety doesn't stop after application. Protective clothing can become contaminated. Proper handling and washing of pesticide contaminated clothing is important to the protection of your health and your family's health.
      If you're unsure about what constitutes proper handling of contaminated clothing, the answers are now easier to find than ever. A new handbook entitled Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality is available for inspection at the ________________ County Extension office. It was compiled by Extension Environmental Specialist J.C. LaPrade and Extension Agricultural Engineer Charles Ogburn. The handbook contains articles written by Extension experts and others about several topics relating to chemicals and chemical use. County personnel will be happy to help you find the information you need and to answer further questions about the handbook. They'll also make copies of any articles you might want to take with you.

Radio/TV Release: Protective Clothing Needs Proper Handling

      Farmers and chemical applicators, your safety doesn't end once the chemicals are applied. That protective clothing you wear could also be contaminated. Proper handling and washing of pesticide contaminated clothing is important to the protection of your family's health as well as your own. Learn how to properly handle contaminated clothing by taking a look at the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It's available through the ________________ County Extension Office, and Extension personnel Will be glad to help you find the information you need. They'll also make copies of any articles you want to take with you. Protect yourself and your family from pesticide contamination.    Back to Contents

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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