ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERIES
Agriculture & Natural Resources
EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849-5647
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERIES Agriculture & Natural Resources |
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EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849-5647 |
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Whether you are a homeowner, farmer, rancher, or a commercial applicator, you need to be aware of proper handling and storage procedures for pesticides.
For example, never transport pesticides inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle where they could come in contact with people, groceries or livestock feed.
Storage is another area of concern. Nearly three-fourths of all pesticide accidents occur to non-users, many of whom are children. These accidents not only cause human suffering and economic losses, but they are also violations of federal regulations.
Information on this and other pesticide related topics is available from the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you may need.
Radio/TV Release: Store And Handle Pesticides Safely
Homeowners, farmers, ranchers, and commercial applicators: are you properly handling and storing your pesticides? Are you aware of the federal regulations regulating pesticide use? If the answer is no or if you're not sure, take the time to visit the ________________ 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, and they'll make copies of any information you'd like to take home.
Pesticide safety is your responsibility. Be sure you're doing all you can to protect yourself, your family, and the environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Proper Pesticide Storage")
An often overlooked area when dealing with pesticides is a proper storage area. Groundwater contamination can occur not only with applied pesticides, but also with improperly stored pesticides.
Three areas to be considered are site selection, setting up the storage area, and arranging the storage area. All require careful thought and planning if the site is to be useable and safe.
One place pesticide users can go to get information on all these areas is the
________________ County Extension Office. They have a new handbook called Agricultural
Chemical Management for Environmental Quality that gives tips on this topic and several others having to do with the handling of pesticides. The handbook was compiled by Extension Environmental Specialist J.C. LaPrade and Agricultural Engineer Charles Ogburn. It contains articles by Extension experts and others.
Extension personnel at the ________________ County office will be happy to help you find the information you need to set up a safe pesticide storage area. They'll also make copies of any articles you might want to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: Pesticides Require Proper Storage Facilities
If you use pesticides, you know how important safe handling is. Well, just as important as safe handling is safe storage. Groundwater contamination can come just as easily from improper storage as from improper application of pesticides. If you need some ideas on how to construct a proper storage facility, visit the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. This new handbook contains articles about pesticides and pesticide-related topics. County Extension personnel will be happy to help you find the information you need, and they'll make copies of any article you might want to take with you. Let's keep the environment safe for this generation and generations to come. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Proper Cleanup For Pesticide Spills")
One of the greatest dangers when dealing with pesticides is cleaning up spills. In order to protect worker's safety and to preserve environmental quality, pesticide spills must be dealt with in a safe and efficient manner.
When performing clean up, workers should always wear protective clothing and use a respirator if specified by label directions. Skin contact and inhalation of fumes must be avoided.
Pesticides can be applied to properly labeled sites immediately after being spilled under certain conditions. Such application prevents costly disposal of spilled pesticide as a hazardous waste.
If the pesticide cannot be immediately used, it must be placed along with absorbent material in heavy duty plastic bags that have been placed inside heavy duty fiber or metal drums, labeled as hazardous waste, and disposed of as such.
Complete information on pesticide spill clean up and disposal is contained in the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. It can be seen at the ________________ County Extension Office, and Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you. They'll also make copies of any article you'd like to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: Caution Needed When Cleaning Up Chemical Spills
Dealing with pesticide spills can be a dangerous proposition. It's important to know the proper procedures for dealing with the spills and for disposing of the hazardous waste. In Alabama, call The Alabama Department of Environmental Management at (334) 271-7984 or The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries at (334) 242-2656 for details on disposal of such hazardous waste. For more information locally, contact the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the handbook entitled Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. Extension personnel win be glad to make copies of any articles you would like to take with you. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Alabama Pesticide Container Disposal Program")
Pesticide users must address environmental issues daily. While many of these issues involve the use and application of pesticides, the battle isn't over just because the pesticide has been safely applied.
Federal and state regulations require pesticide users to properly rinse pesticide containers once they are emptied. Rinsing containers is not only an environmentally sound practice, it is also economical. Rinsate from the containers, when added right into the sprayer tank, efficiently uses all the pesticide in the container. This also eliminates the need to store and later dispose of the rinsate.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommend rinsing containers in one of two ways; pressure rinsing or triple rinsing. Pressure rinsing forces remaining pesticide from containers by using a special nozzle attached to the end of a hose. It is faster and easier than triple-rinsing and can be used with plastic and non-pressurized metal pesticide containers. It also renders the container useless for alternate purposes and indicates that the containers have been rinsed.
Triple rinsing is exactly what the name implies, rinsing the container three times. Triple rinsing can be used on plastic, non-pressurized, metal and glass containers.
If you would like more information on either of these methods, contact the ________________ County Extension Office. They have a new handbook entitled Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality that covers this topic and many others related to pesticides and pesticide use. Extension personnel will be happy to help you find the information you need to help keep the environment safe for everyone. They'll also be glad to make copies of any articles you may want to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: Rinsing Pesticide Containers: It's the Law
Pesticide users--are you doing all you can to keep the environment safe for yourself and your family? Remember, the job isn't finished once the pesticide is applied. Federal and state regulations require that you rinse all pesticide containers before storing or disposing of them. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommends either pressure rinsing or triple rinsing. To get more information on either process, contact the County Extension office and ask to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. Extension personnel will be glad to make copies of any articles you want to take with you. It contains information on this and other topics related to pesticides and pesticide use. It's your environment; do all you can to protect it. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Fate Of Pesticides In Soil And Water")
Pesticides are important to the success of Alabama agriculture as well as being important in helping to maintain good public health. During the past two decades, however, the increased use of pesticides has caused increased concern. People want to know what threats to human and animal life are posed by these chemicals.
The misuse of pesticides can lead to serious water quality problems. Fish kills, reproductive failure of birds, and acute illnesses in people have all been attributed to the ingestion of misused pesticides or exposure to pesticides. However, groundwater contamination is also a potential problem following normal pesticide use.
There are four factors that affect the fate of pesticides and determine the possibility of groundwater contamination. They are: properties of the pesticide; properties of the soil; conditions of the site; and management practices.
A new handbook called Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality is now available that contains information on these factors and how to control them. The handbook also contains other articles written by Extension personnel about a variety of chemical-related subjects.
The handbook, compiled by Extension Environmental Specialist J.C. LaPrade and Agricultural Engineer Charles Ogburn, can be seen at the ________________ County Extension Office.
Extension personnel are available to help find and explain the appropriate information. They will also be glad to make copies of any articles you might want to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: Increased Pesticide Use Brings Increased Concern
In recent years there have been a number of stories about the dangers of pesticides in our water supplies. While many of these stories have turned out to be exaggerations, careless use or storage of chemicals can result in contaminated groundwater supplies. A handbook now available at the ________________ County Extension Office contains information on how to avoid such a situation. It also has facts about other agricultural chemical-related topics. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be glad to help you find the information you need to keep the environment safe for everyone. They'll also make copies of any articles you might want to take with you. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Protecting Groundwater From Pesticides")
If you use pesticides, you have a responsibility to use them safely. The way you use pesticides will effect you, your family and the environment.
One of the most common problems with pesticides is groundwater contamination. However, following a few simple guidelines can reduce the chances of creating such contamination. The guidelines are contained in the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality
handbook. The handbook can be seen at the ________________ County Extension Office.
Extension personnel will be happy to discuss the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you might want to take with you.
Remember, proper pesticide use is not just your responsibility, it's the law.
Radio/TV Release: Protecting Groundwater From Pesticides
Everyone wants to do what they can to protect our environment, but we're not always sure what steps we can take. This is especially true for pesticide users who face the constant danger of polluting precious groundwater. But now there's an easy way that you can get help so that you, in turn, can help the environment. 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 be happy to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you want to take home.
Don't put it off. A little knowledge can protect you, your family and the environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Protecting Rural Wells From Contamination")
For rural Americans, wells are the most important source of water for their family, animals and crops. A turn of the tap brings water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, crop irrigation and many other uses.
Because wells are a direct pipeline to the groundwater supply they can become seriously contaminated if feedlot runoff, diesel fuel, agricultural chemicals or other contaminants accidentally enter them. Therefore, farmers and ranchers should view their wellhead as a vital personal and business asset that needs care and protection.
The Alliance for a Clean Rural Environment (ACRE) says their are seven points to keep in mind concerning rural wells. They are: proper well location; well inspection; maintaining chemigation equipment; storage of agricultural chemicals; mix¾1oad spray equipment location; site for rinsing spray equipment; and disposal of empty containers.
If you would like to have more information on these or other chemical-related topics, contact the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be happy to make copies of any articles you would like to take with you. They'll also be happy to answer questions you may have about rural wells and well protection.
Radio/TV Release: Rural Wells Need Protection From Chemical Pollution
If your main source of water is a rural well, or if you're thinking about digging a new well, there are some vital factors you need to consider. Proper well location, well inspection and the problems associated with rural wells and chemical use need to be resolved immediately. To get answers for these problems, contact the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. It contains articles by Extension experts on chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be glad to go over the handbook with you and to make copies of articles that you'd like to take home. Protect yourself and your family by protecting Alabama's environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Regulations Of Underground Storage Tanks Located On Farms")
Do you have an underground storage tank on your property? If you do, you need to be aware of the Alabama Underground Storage Tank and Wellhead Protection Act of 1988.
The law requires that all underground storage tanks with a capacity of 1,100 gallons or more be registered with the Ground Water Division of ADEM. There are also fees to be paid that are kept in a trust fund.
If you need more information about the regulations for underground storage tanks, drop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you want to take with you.
Protect yourself and the environment. It's not just your responsibility, it's the law.
Radio/TV Release: Underground Storage Tank Regulations Outlined
Farmers, if you have underground storage tanks with capacities of more than 1,100 gallons, you could be breaking the law. Owners of such tanks are required to register them with the Ground Water Division of ADEM and to pay fees. The idea is to protect Alabama's ground water from chemical contamination.
If you want more information on the law and its requirements, 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 to make copies of any articles you want to take home.
Do your part to protect your family, yourself and the environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Decontamination Of Soil By Aeration")
Underground storage tank contamination can present major clean up problems. Historically, soil from such contamination has been decontaminated by aeration of the soil. Another method recommended by ADEM is heating.
ADEM's Air Division has consulted with the Underground Storage Tank Section to develop guidelines for the purpose of minimizing vapor emissions during soil remediation. These guidelines are available through the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and other chemical related topics.
Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
It's not only your responsibility to know the regulations; it's the law.
Radio/TV Release: Cleaning Up Underground Storage Tank Contamination
If you experience leakage from an underground storage tank, how will you clean up the contaminated soil? There are regulations and instructions available, but where can you see them? Stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to discuss the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you want to take home with you.
Remember, it's your responsibility to know the regulations and it's the law!! Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Food And Feed Safety Considerations In Agricultural Chemical Application")
Much concern has been expressed recently over chemical residues on food, feed producing plants and their products. However, few people are aware of the regulations governing agricultural chemical use or of the system of checks used to monitor chemical use.
For example, each chemical is approved for use on a certain crop or group of crops. If the chemicals are used on any other crops, the crop can be seized and destroyed.
The job of detecting these misused chemicals falls on the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, and state departments of agriculture. They are also looking for over use of the chemicals on approved crops.
While it is the chemical company's job to prove that a chemical is safe, the Environmental Protection Agency reviews all chemicals to assure that they are safe.
Just how safe is our food? An FDA survey found that 99 percent of all domestic samples of food had no violative residues. In fact, 66 percent had no residues at all. Imported products were found free of violative residues 96.5 percent of the time. Pretty good numbers considering that over 19,000 samples were taken.
The same study also looked at the human dietary intake of residues on an as eaten basis. The amount of chemicals we can consume each day and remain safe is determined by the FDA and is adjusted for age groups. The study indicates that pesticide residue intake of all groups is well below the established standards.
For more information on the study, or for information about any agricultural chemical question, contact your ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be glad to help you find the needed information. They will also make copies of any articles you would like to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: System of Checks Regulates Chemicals On Food
If you're worried about chemicals in and on your food, you're not alone. Most people have no idea whether or not their food is safe or where to go to find out. However, answers are available.
For example, there are at least three governmental agencies responsible for making sure that chemicals are safely used. A study by the Food and Drug Administration shows that these agencies must be doing their jobs well. The study shows that 99 percent of all domestic food samples are free of harmful chemical residues, and that 96.5 percent of all imported foods are at the same safe level.
For answers to these and other food and chemical questions, contact your
________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be glad to help you find the information, and they will make copies of any articles you need. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Equipment Calibration For Low-Pressure Ground Sprayers")
A key in pesticide application safety is that agricultural pesticides must be applied accurately. Applying too much material will waste pesticides and can damage crops, as well as pose a threat to the environment. Likewise, applying too little material will fail to achieve the desired results. In order to obtain the desired results, application equipment must be functioning properly.
More agricultural chemicals are applied with low-pressure ground sprayers than any other type of equipment. Farmers need to be sure, however, that they are buying the right equipment and that they are calibrating it correctly.
If you'd like more information on purchasing and calibrating pesticide application equipment, contact the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask for the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. It contains advice on these and many other chemical-related questions. Extension personnel will make copies of any handbook articles you would like to take with you. To get the best answers, go to the best source.
(Above is news release and Radio/TV release for Publication ANR-570) Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Orchard Spraying With An Air-Blast Sprayer")
If you own an orchard, you know how important spraying is to maintain high yields. However, spraying will be effective only if it is done correctly.
An effective spraying job depends on spraying the right chemical at the right time in the right amounts. It also depends on using the right equipment that is properly calibrated. Most important, though, is a properly trained operator.
If you're planning to spray your orchard this season, you might want to consider using an air-blast sprayer. But how do you know if that is the right system for you? Now there is a simple way of finding out.
Pay a visit to the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel can get you started in the right direction, and they'll be happy to make copies of any articles in the handbook that you might want to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: Orchard Spraying With An Air-Blast Sprayer
If you own an orchard you know how important spraying is for maintaining high yields. But are you spraying with right equipment at the right time? Are you using the best chemical? Most importantly of all, is the person operating the equipment fully qualified?
Now you can get the answers to these and other chemical-related questions simply by stopping by the ________________ County Extension Office and asking to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains the answers to these and many other chemical related handbooks. Extension personnel will be glad to help you with the materials, and they'll make copies of any handbook articles you'd like to take home. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Environmental Regulations Affecting Land Use In Alabama")
If you're a farmer, you're well aware that Alabama, like all states, has many regulations concerning land use. However, you may not be as familiar with the regulations as you need to be.
For example, how is your operation impacted by the Water Quality Act of 1987? Are you familiar with the Swampbuster subtitle of FACTA90? What penalties do you face if you are in violation of these regulations?
You can get the answers to these and many other agricultural-related questions by stopping by the ________________ County Extension Office and asking to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be glad to go over the information with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
Remember, it's your responsibility to know and follow the land-use
regulations. Don't wait for violations to occur before you take action. Radio/TV Release: Land-Use Regulations Outlined
If you're in the business of farming, you're well aware that there are many regulations concerning how you use the land. But how familiar are you with those regulations? If you're not, now's the time to do something about it.
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 agricultural related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
Knowing the regulations is not just a responsibility, it's the law. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Soil Testing Can Help The Urban Environment")
When most people think of fertilizers, they think only of agricultural uses. Yet, fertilizer use and misuse is just as important in the urban environment as it is on farms.
According to Charles Mitchell, Extension agronomist, homeowners and gardeners sent in more than one out of every four soil samples tested at Auburn University's Soil Testing Laboratory last year. Over 70 percent of the backyard garden samples were high, very high, or extremely high in phosphorus. Adding more phosphorus is not only wasteful, it could be dangerous.
Soil testing before applying fertilizers can prevent many problems from occurring. To get more information on soil testing, 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 information with you, and they'll make copies of articles in which you're interested.
The ________________ County Extension Office is located at ______________
or you can call them at ______________________.
Radio/TV Release: Soil Testing Can Help The Urban Environment
If you're a gardener, you're probably aware of the benefits of fertilizers. But are you also aware of the dangers these substances can produce? If not, you should be. Improper use of fertilizers can harm the environment. One of the best ways to avoid such problems is to have your soil tested before you apply fertilizer. The tests can tell you what kinds of fertilizer you need and what kinds to avoid.
To get more information on soil testing, contact the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will go over the information with you and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
If you want the right answers, go to the right source: the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 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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