Assuring security of dangerous pesticides - Chemicals - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Dec, 2001

Lawn care businesses, farmers, agricultural chemical dealers, and exterminators are among businesses that regularly use pesticides. With recent threats to the U.S., security of these chemicals becomes critical, so the Environmental Protection Agency issued an alert to the pesticide industry and related businesses in October. Among the precautions stressed by the EPA are careful hiring practices, equipment security, and protecting confidential information. The Department of Transportation released an advisory for the shipping of equipment and chemicals as well.

"Any person who stores or uses pesticides should always do so properly," stresses Sandra McDonald, an environmental and pesticide education specialist, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Fort Collins. "However, because of recent events, the EPA is urging everyone to be especially vigilant regarding the security of these chemicals and application equipment." For instance, the FBI is asking for extra caution from agricultural chemical retailers and those businesses or organizations that spray chemicals for mosquito control.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has developed 10 steps to help public health and safety officials analyze, mitigate, and prevent chemical disasters. These are on the Internet at www.techstuff.com/Terror/terror.htm. EPA security recommendations are at www.epa.gov/swercepp/p-small. htm#alerts and www.epa.gov/swer cepp/.

McDonald recommends that businesses or individuals who store or use pesticides follow the checklist below to help secure chemicals and equipment:

* Always store pesticides in a locked, secure facility.

* Limit access to pesticides. Be aware of who has keys and access to storage areas and take necessary steps to keep unauthorized people away from them.

* Post emergency contact names, addresses, and telephone numbers at the primary entrance to the storage area. List at least two people, if possible.

* Inspect storage facilities at least once a week and maintain an inspection log.

* Secure any pesticide application equipment to prevent unauthorized access.

* Maintain an inventory of pesticide products updated and readily available. Check it at least once a week. Immediately notify local law enforcement of missing chemicals.

* Do not keep excess inventory. Purchase only what you can use in the next week or month.

* Keep your storage facility cool, dry, and well-ventilated. Make sure it is away from areas likely to flood.

* Mark the storage facility with signs to let emergency personnel and firefighters know that they may encounter toxic fumes.

* Store pesticides on a sealed concrete floor to prevent spills from reaching groundwater supplies.

* Store products by category. Keep herbicides separate from insecticides. Place liquid formulations below dry ones. Be sure glass containers are on the lowest level and all containers are off the floor.

* Keep all pesticides in their original containers with their original labels. Never store them in a food or drink container.

* Maintain spill clean-up kits in storage facilities.

* Have a list of emergency telephone numbers readily available, including fire, law enforcement, and medical contacts.

* Protect confidential information, including the data stored on computers, with contingency planning for power losses, secure access ports, and password and backup procedures, and permit entry by authorized personnel only.

* All employees who handle pesticides should have the proper training to handle pesticides safely. Background checks are necessary on employees who have access to secure areas.