Chemical Safety

John and Mitchie MoeMaster Rosarians

Pacific Northwest District American Rose Society

December 7, 2011

Acknowledgements

Several photos and graphs obtained from the internet

Credits listed where available

All photos by authors, except where credits are given

An excellent source – Consulting Rosarian Manual, from

The American Rose Society

No commercial use of this program please!

Pest Control Basics Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision process that uses

regular monitoring to determine if and when treatments are needed.

Basic elements of IPM

A decision whether to treat A decision when to treat A decision of how to treat Evaluation and review of the decisions made

At one extreme – an avid exhibitor will quickly determine to spray and eliminate whatever is affecting his or her roses!

At the other end – one that wants to reduce/eliminate chemical use, and will accept whatever Mother Nature gives. 

Both are practicing IPM, what differs will be the results. So, even if you are not an avid exhibitor but are going to spray, let’s take a look at what’s involved from the safety aspect.

Types of Garden Chemicals

Pesticide – “any chemical used for killing insects, weeds, etc.” (generic term) Insecticide – kills insects

Fungicide – kills fungi

Miticide (Acaricides) – kills mites

Herbicide – kills weeds and plants

Rodenticide – kills rodents

First Read the Label!

siri.org

What Does a Pesticide Label tell You?A

B

C

D

E

F

G H

A – Brand name

B – Where used & what for

C – Specific pest it controls

D – Ingredients toxic to pest

E – Manufacturer’s info

F – Signal Word

Caution – least toxic

Warning – moderately toxic

Danger – highly toxic

G – EPA Registration Number

(Nice to have in an emergency)

H – Amount in containerExtension ServiceWest VA Univ

What Else Does the Label Tell You?A

B

C

D

E

F

HG

A – Potential hazards to

humans and domestic

animals

B – First Aid

C – Potential hazards to

wildlife and environment

D – Protective clothing to

wear while using

E – The Label is the Law!

F – How to mix and use

G – Storage and disposal

H – Peel to view additional

instructions on someExtension ServiceWest VA Univ

Toxicity of Pesticides Toxicity means “how poisonous”

Commonly used measure is LD-50

Lethal dose to kill 50% of the study population

The lower the number, the more poisonous

Expressed in milligrams (mg) of material per kilogram (kg) of

body weight

LD-50 values are usually not shown on the label, but the

relative toxicity is reflected by one of the three signal words.

Signal word is assigned based on the oral, dermal or

inhalation toxicity, whichever is the most toxic!

Signal Words & LD-50 (dermal)

Danger and Poison – Highly toxic 0-200 mg/kg

Warning – Moderately toxic 200 – 2,000 mg/kg

Caution – Slightly toxic 2000 – 20,000 mg/kg

Caution – Toxic Over 20,000 mg/kg

How Pesticides Enter The Body

UC Davis Environmental Toxicology

How Pesticides Enter The Body (cont.) Oral

Taken by mistake when eating/smoking while mixing or during and after spraying

Dermal (through the skin) Most common cause of pesticide poisoning Very dangerous in concentrated form

Inhalation (respiratory) Breathing the vapors when mixing in enclosed area

Ocular (eyes) Not mentioned in CR manual, but some fungicides can

cause permanent eye damage. Read the label!

A Dangerous Old InsecticideBlack Leaf 40

Had 40% NicotineOral LD-50 of 50!

Highly Toxic

Out in 1992, but derivatives

can still be found

whyquit.com

Don’t mess withthis

one!

One of the least toxic pesticidesInsecticidal Soap

Photo by Baldo Villegas

Some with Danger Signal Words

Some with Warning Signal Words

Some with Caution Signal Words

Handling Chemicals Try to buy quantity needed for season Keep chemicals in original container! Store in a secure, dark & dry location -

away from children and pets Never recommend a restricted chemical Do not split chemicals with friends! Wear proper protection

Safe Storage & a No-No!

Not the original container!Photo by Baldo Villegas

Mixing Chemicals

First - Read the label!

Mix what is needed & to directions!

Avoid mixing more than one chemical unless compatible

Wear protective clothing including rubber gloves

Mix in well ventilated area

Skin contact with concentrates is especially dangerous

Know first aid treatment before you start!

MSDS Sheet

Personal Protection When Spraying

Most commonly

called for

by the label

Cap

Safety glasses

Respirator

Rubber gloves

Long sleeve shirt

Pants (no shorts)

Sturdy shoes

(no open toe

or sneakers)

Dress For Added Protection

For additional

protection

Add the following:

Nitrile gloves

Tyvek suit

Rubber boots

Spraying Chemicals Identify problem - use proper chemical (least toxic)

Water well before spraying – reduce plant stress

Protect children and pets

Never spray on windy or very hot days

Spray undersides + tops of leaves for best results

Wash hands and face immediately after spraying!

Clean and store equipment

Be a good neighbor

Fungicide Types

Broad spectrum – multi-site surface protectants, which do not enter the leafPrimary use is to limit further spread of

infection as spores germinate

Commonly used – Daconil®, Captan®, Bravo®, Dithane(Mancozeb)®, etc.

Sometimes called contact fungicides

Fungicide Types (cont.)

Single-site – locally systemic which do enter the leaves to prevent infectionChemicals penetrate as long as leaf is wet

Single target site of fungal activity

There is not one that will do it all. Some effective for one, some for others

Commonly used – Funginex®, Rubigan®, Systhane®, Banner Maxx™, Immunox®, etc.

Questions?

Thank you!