9 safe pesticides A Lecture By Mr.Allah Dad Khan Visiting Professor the university of Agriculture Peshawar

2. Using Pesticide
Safely
By
Allah Dad Khan

3. Objectives:
 1. Explain the way pesticides are classified1. Explain the way pesticides are classified
according to toxicity.according to toxicity.
 2. Identify the types of pesticide exposure.2. Identify the types of pesticide exposure.
 3. Explain how toxicity is measured.3. Explain how toxicity is measured.
 4. Identify the safety practices that should be4. Identify the safety practices that should be
followed when applying pesticides.followed when applying pesticides.

4. How are pesticides classified
according to toxicity?
 ToxicityToxicity refers to the degree of poison in arefers to the degree of poison in a
material. Some pesticides are more toxic thanmaterial. Some pesticides are more toxic than
others. The amount of active ingredient in aothers. The amount of active ingredient in a
material as well as the chemical nature of thematerial as well as the chemical nature of the
poison determines toxicity.poison determines toxicity.

5. Pesticides are classified into two
categories:
 A.A. General-use pesticidesGeneral-use pesticides can be more widely used bycan be more widely used by
following the label instructions. These pesticides arefollowing the label instructions. These pesticides are
less hazardous to the environment. In most cases,less hazardous to the environment. In most cases,
special training in applying the pesticide in notspecial training in applying the pesticide in not
required.required.
 B.B. Restricted-use pesticidesRestricted-use pesticides have higher toxicity levelshave higher toxicity levels
than general-use pesticides. Risk is greater to humansthan general-use pesticides. Risk is greater to humans
and the environment. Anyone who applies theseand the environment. Anyone who applies these
pesticides must have special training in the safe use andpesticides must have special training in the safe use and
handling of these chemicals.handling of these chemicals.

6. What are the different types of
pesticide exposure?
 Before a pesticide can harm anyone, theBefore a pesticide can harm anyone, the
person must first be exposed. There are fourperson must first be exposed. There are four
main routes that a pesticide can enter themain routes that a pesticide can enter the
body.body.

7. They are:
 A.A. Oral ExposureOral Exposure (through the mouth and(through the mouth and
digestive system)—This exposure may occurdigestive system)—This exposure may occur
because of an accident, but is more likely to bebecause of an accident, but is more likely to be
the result of carelessness. Blowing out athe result of carelessness. Blowing out a
plugged nozzle with your mouth or smokingplugged nozzle with your mouth or smoking
or eating without washing contaminatedor eating without washing contaminated
hands can result in oral exposurehands can result in oral exposure..

8.  B.B. Dermal ExposureDermal Exposure (through the skin)—This(through the skin)—This
type of exposure can occur anytime a pesticidetype of exposure can occur anytime a pesticide
is mixed, applied, or handled. The severity ofis mixed, applied, or handled. The severity of
dermal exposure depends on the dermaldermal exposure depends on the dermal
toxicity of the material, the rate of absorptiontoxicity of the material, the rate of absorption
through the skin, the size of the skin areathrough the skin, the size of the skin area
contaminated, and the length of time thecontaminated, and the length of time the
material is in contact with the skin.material is in contact with the skin.

9.  C.C. Inhalation ExposureInhalation Exposure (through the nose(through the nose
and respiratory system)—This type of exposureand respiratory system)—This type of exposure
results from breathing pesticide vapors, dusts,results from breathing pesticide vapors, dusts,
or spray particles. In some cases, inhalationor spray particles. In some cases, inhalation
can be more serious than oral or dermalcan be more serious than oral or dermal
exposure due to the uptake of blood via theexposure due to the uptake of blood via the
lungs and other membranes.lungs and other membranes.
 D.D. Eye ExposureEye Exposure (through the eye)—Eyes are(through the eye)—Eyes are
very sensitive to most pesticide materials. Eyevery sensitive to most pesticide materials. Eye
protection should be worn when working withprotection should be worn when working with
any pesticideany pesticide..

10. How is toxicity measured?
 The method used to measure toxicity differsThe method used to measure toxicity differs
slightly between the different types ofslightly between the different types of
exposureexposure..

11.  A. The method used to measure oral andA. The method used to measure oral and
dermal toxicity isdermal toxicity is LD50LD50. The LD stands for. The LD stands for
lethal doselethal dose, which means the amount, which means the amount
necessary to cause death. The 50 means thatnecessary to cause death. The 50 means that
50 percent of the test animals are killed at50 percent of the test animals are killed at
this dose. The lower the LD50 number of athis dose. The lower the LD50 number of a
pesticide, the more poisonous it is. LD50pesticide, the more poisonous it is. LD50
values are given in milligrams of substancevalues are given in milligrams of substance
per kilogram of test animal body weight. Thisper kilogram of test animal body weight. This
is equivalent to parts per million.is equivalent to parts per million.

12.  B. The method used to measure inhalationB. The method used to measure inhalation
toxicity istoxicity is LC50LC50. LC stands for lethal. LC stands for lethal
concentration. LC50 values are measured inconcentration. LC50 values are measured in
milligrams per liter. The lower the LC50milligrams per liter. The lower the LC50
number, the more poisonous the pesticide.number, the more poisonous the pesticide.

13. What safety practices should be
followed when applying pesticides?
 Pesticides are a useful and productive toolPesticides are a useful and productive tool
used in production agriculture andused in production agriculture and
horticulture; however, pesticides can pollutehorticulture; however, pesticides can pollute
the environment and contaminate water andthe environment and contaminate water and
food supplies if not used properlyfood supplies if not used properly..

14.  These chemicals can be dangerous to the applicatorThese chemicals can be dangerous to the applicator
and other people and animals in the area if a fewand other people and animals in the area if a few
simple safety practices are not followed. A concernsimple safety practices are not followed. A concern
for worker protection dealing with pesticidefor worker protection dealing with pesticide
application has led to the passage of a newapplication has led to the passage of a new WorkerWorker
Protection Standard (WPS)Protection Standard (WPS). The law presents. The law presents
a set of rules that are designed to reduce the numbera set of rules that are designed to reduce the number
of pesticide-related illnesses. These rules do notof pesticide-related illnesses. These rules do not
regulate or ban any chemical. Rather, they provideregulate or ban any chemical. Rather, they provide
guidelines for workers to follow during and afterguidelines for workers to follow during and after
application.application.

15. The following is a general list of safety
practices to follow when using pesticides.
 A. Use only approved pesticides—GovernmentA. Use only approved pesticides—Government
regulations allow only certain pesticides to be used.regulations allow only certain pesticides to be used.
 B. Know the pesticide—TheB. Know the pesticide—The applicatorapplicator (person(person
who applies the pesticide) must be informed about allwho applies the pesticide) must be informed about all
aspects of the chemical.aspects of the chemical.
1.1. Labels on the containers provide much of the neededLabels on the containers provide much of the needed
information.information.
2.2. Use the pesticide according to the directions. Do notUse the pesticide according to the directions. Do not
use pesticides for uses that they were not intendeduse pesticides for uses that they were not intended
for.for.

16.  C.C. Use a pesticide with low toxicityUse a pesticide with low toxicity——
Toxicity refers to how poisonous the pesticideToxicity refers to how poisonous the pesticide
is. Use the pesticide that will do what needsis. Use the pesticide that will do what needs
to be done, but that is no stronger thanto be done, but that is no stronger than
needed.needed.
 D.D. Use pesticides only when needed—Use pesticides only when needed—
PesticidesPesticides should only be used when pestsshould only be used when pests
need to be controlled. Using a pesticideneed to be controlled. Using a pesticide
without need damages the environment andwithout need damages the environment and
wastes money.wastes money.

17. E. Do not contaminate resourcesE. Do not contaminate resources
 Pesticides can pollute the environment.Pesticides can pollute the environment.
 They should never be dumped into streams or on theThey should never be dumped into streams or on the
ground.ground.
 Leftover pesticides should be disposed of properlyLeftover pesticides should be disposed of properly
following all federal, state, and local regulations.following all federal, state, and local regulations.

18. F. Wear protective clothingF. Wear protective clothing
1.1. Applicators need to protect themselves fromApplicators need to protect themselves from
pesticides when they are applying them.pesticides when they are applying them.
2.2. They should always wear protective clothing such asThey should always wear protective clothing such as
rubber gloves, a respirator, and any other protectiverubber gloves, a respirator, and any other protective
gear called for on the label. The clothing should begear called for on the label. The clothing should be
properly washed after it is wornproperly washed after it is worn..

19. G.Dispose of empty containersG.Dispose of empty containers
properlyproperly
1.1. Empty containers should never be thrown intoEmpty containers should never be thrown into
creeks or gullies. Some manufactures takecreeks or gullies. Some manufactures take
empty containers back.empty containers back.
2.2. Generally, empty containers should be rinsedGenerally, empty containers should be rinsed
out three times and returned for recycling orout three times and returned for recycling or
sent to an approved solid waste facility.sent to an approved solid waste facility.

20.  should be used when they will be mostshould be used when they will be most
effective. Wind causes pesticides to drift.effective. Wind causes pesticides to drift.
Sometimes drifting pesticides can damageSometimes drifting pesticides can damage
other crops, water, or livestock.other crops, water, or livestock.
H. Apply in good weatherH. Apply in good weather

21. 1. This includes funnels to help in pouring, measuring, and mixing.
Spraying equipment should be adjusted properly so it applies no
more than is needed.
2. This is important not only to protect the environment, but to
save the producer as well.
3. Know the right emergency measures—Anyone who applies, or is
around people who are applying pesticides should know what
to do in case of an accident.
4. Local physicians know whom to contact for help when
people have been poisoned. You should always have the
emergency telephone numbers nearby.
I. Use the right equipment—