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How to Deal with a Pesticide Spill
How to Deal with a Pesticide Spill
Cleaning up a pesticide spill is not an ideal situation. Safe and careful handling of pesticides will prevent most spills. However, accidental spills sometimes occur, and it is best to be prepared. Whether a small or large amount of pesticide has been spilled, remain calm and seek help if you cannot clean up the spill yourself. This article will outline the proper way to deal with a pesticide spill.
Cleaning up a pesticide spill is not an ideal situation. Safe and careful handling of pesticides will prevent most spills. However, accidental spills sometimes occur, and it is best to be prepared. Whether a small or large amount of pesticide has been spilled, remain calm and seek help if you cannot clean up the spill yourself. This article will outline the proper way to deal with a pesticide spill.
Never leave a pesticide spill unattended! The longer the chemical is left unchecked, the greater the chance it may harm other people, animals, or the environment. Spills require immediate attention. There are three steps to remember in case of a spill emergency, also known as the three C’s: Control, Contain, and Clean up.
Never leave a pesticide spill unattended! The longer the chemical is left unchecked, the greater the chance it may harm other people, animals, or the environment. Spills require immediate attention. There are three steps to remember in case of a spill emergency, also known as the three C’s: Control, Contain, and Clean up.
Step 1: Control the Spill
Step 1: Control the Spill
Requires swift action by managing the spill. There are four ways to take control of a spill:
Requires swift action by managing the spill. There are four ways to take control of a spill:
Protect yourself – Make sure you are wearing proper PPE. Remember, you can never wear too much PPE!
Stop the source of the spill – If a container or bag tips over, set it upright or position it so that no more material can escape.
Protect others and secure the area – Keep animals and people away from the spill by isolating or barricading the area.
Stay at the site – Do not leave the area. Call for assistance if necessary.
Step 2: Contain the Spill
Step 2: Contain the Spill
After the source of the spill is controlled, confine the spill to the smallest area possible. Make sure the material does not get into any water sources. (If this does happen, you must contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Pesticide Services. They will refer you to the appropriate emergency services.) Liquids can be contained with absorbent materials like sand or pet litter. Dry materials should be covered with plastic to prevent them from becoming airborne.
After the source of the spill is controlled, confine the spill to the smallest area possible. Make sure the material does not get into any water sources. (If this does happen, you must contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Pesticide Services. They will refer you to the appropriate emergency services.) Liquids can be contained with absorbent materials like sand or pet litter. Dry materials should be covered with plastic to prevent them from becoming airborne.
Step 3: Clean Up the Spill
Step 3: Clean Up the Spill
Sweep up any absorbent material used to soak up liquids and place into a heavy-duty plastic bag or drum. If the spilled material is a dry pesticide, such as a powder or granule, try to sweep up the material for later use. However, if the dry spill gets wet or has too much debris, it must be discarded. Place the dry material into a heavy-duty plastic bag or drum as you would liquid material. Take these materials to a licensed hazardous waste facility.
Sweep up any absorbent material used to soak up liquids and place into a heavy-duty plastic bag or drum. If the spilled material is a dry pesticide, such as a powder or granule, try to sweep up the material for later use. However, if the dry spill gets wet or has too much debris, it must be discarded. Place the dry material into a heavy-duty plastic bag or drum as you would liquid material. Take these materials to a licensed hazardous waste facility.
Cleaning the Spill Site
Cleaning the Spill Site
Decontaminate the spill site once you have thoroughly swept up the spilled pesticide. This does not mean to hose down the site with water! If the site where the pesticide was spilled is nonporous, such as sealed concrete, use detergent and water to remove pesticide residues. Use only enough water to clean the site, and do not allow the wash solution to run off. Cover the wash solution again with absorbent material. Sweep up the material and place it in your heavy-duty bag or drum. If the site where the pesticide was spilled is porous, such as soil, remove the contaminated surface area and dispose of it in your heavy-duty bag or drum. (Please note: always read the label of any pesticide you purchase for handling instructions. Some labels may have specific guidelines for spill management and disposal.)
Decontaminate the spill site once you have thoroughly swept up the spilled pesticide. This does not mean to hose down the site with water! If the site where the pesticide was spilled is nonporous, such as sealed concrete, use detergent and water to remove pesticide residues. Use only enough water to clean the site, and do not allow the wash solution to run off. Cover the wash solution again with absorbent material. Sweep up the material and place it in your heavy-duty bag or drum. If the site where the pesticide was spilled is porous, such as soil, remove the contaminated surface area and dispose of it in your heavy-duty bag or drum. (Please note: always read the label of any pesticide you purchase for handling instructions. Some labels may have specific guidelines for spill management and disposal.)
Decontaminate any equipment or items that were contaminated by the spill. Use laundry detergent and hot water to clean PPE. Some items, such as the cleanup broom or any clothing, may need to be discarded if they were fully saturated. When finished, decontaminate yourself. Wash thoroughly with soap and water from head to toe!
Decontaminate any equipment or items that were contaminated by the spill. Use laundry detergent and hot water to clean PPE. Some items, such as the cleanup broom or any clothing, may need to be discarded if they were fully saturated. When finished, decontaminate yourself. Wash thoroughly with soap and water from head to toe!
DIY Spill Kit
DIY Spill Kit
Consider keeping items on hand for pesticide spill situations in a “spill kit.” A spill kit would include articles such as a cell phone, emergency contacts, PPE (chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, suit, etc.), absorbent materials, a broom and dustpan, detergent, and heavy-duty plastic bags or containers. Conveniently, most of the supplies mentioned above can be easily stored in a five gallon bucket, which is also a helpful item to have in case of a spill. And as always, remember to READ THE LABEL!
Consider keeping items on hand for pesticide spill situations in a “spill kit.” A spill kit would include articles such as a cell phone, emergency contacts, PPE (chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, suit, etc.), absorbent materials, a broom and dustpan, detergent, and heavy-duty plastic bags or containers. Conveniently, most of the supplies mentioned above can be easily stored in a five gallon bucket, which is also a helpful item to have in case of a spill. And as always, remember to READ THE LABEL!
For More Information, Please Visit:
For More Information, Please Visit:
Pesticide Spills: Prevention and Management -- Virginia Cooperative Extension Publications
Pesticide Emergency Resources -- National Pesticide Information Center
Handling Spills -- Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
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