MIXING HERBICIDES – USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN MIXING HERBICIDES! Before mixing any herbicide, READ THE LABEL. Herbicide labels are legal documents and users are obligated to read and obey them. Herbicides should be mixed only in pre-designated areas - preferably either in an industrial sink near the storage site or in an area near the treatment site(s) in which damage from small spills or other herbicide contamination would be minimal. Field mixing sites should have relatively few native or other desirable species, not be susceptible to erosion or runoff, and rarely, if ever, be visited by the public or preserve staff. In addition, mixing sites should provide easy access for containment and clean up of spills. At the mixing site, assemble the appropriate equipment including safety and clean-up gear and measuring and mixing utensils. Heavy plastic garbage bags, a shovel, and an absorbent (e.g. cat litter) must be easily available at field mixing sites in case of a larger spill. Remember to wear all protective gear while handling and mixing herbicides. Avoid metal measuring utensils as some pesticides can react with metal. Clearly label herbicide-measuring equipment to avoid confusion with equipment used for measuring food. Wash all utensils before storage to prevent contamination of future mixes.

Prior to mixing, determine the order that chemicals will be added to the mix. Generally, adjuvants are added prior to the herbicide, but consult the label for specific instructions. When mixing, start by filling the spray tank or other mixing vessel half to three-quarters full with water. The water should be clean and clear to prevent contamination of the mixture or clogging of tank nozzles and hoses. The water should have a neutral or slightly acidic pH, as alkaline water can cause the pesticide to breakdown prior to application. Add a buffer or acidifier to the water if necessary. Carefully measure the herbicide concentrate and add it to the tank water. The measuring container should be rinsed and the rinsate added to the tank solution. The container of liquid herbicides should be triple rinsed with ¼ container volume of water. Add rinsate to the tank solution or store it in a separate container.

TRANSPORTING HERBICIDES – Herbicides should be transported in tightly sealed containers placed in a well-constructed and watertight carrying box or bucket, such as a Rubbermaid tub or cat litter bucket. A good container will prevent leaks in vehicles, onto applicators, or to the environment. In some cases, you may want to carry only a small amount of herbicide to treat weeds encountered while conducting daily activities in the field.

HERBICIDE DISPOSAL – Equipment cleanup: Following use, application equipment and empty containers should be triple rinsed with clean water using 10% of the container volume for each rinse. If possible, rinse equipment in the treatment area and apply the wastewater to weeds or store for future use as a dilutant. Left over herbicide mix that will not be used later should be treated as hazardous waste. Container disposal: Use the state herbicide container recycling program where available. If no specific agri-chemical container recycling program is available, puncture the empty container to prevent anyone from using it as a container again, and then dispose of or destroy it. Some jurisdictions require containers to be burned, while others prohibit burning pesticide containers. If the herbicide label states that the container may not be disposed of in regular sanitary landfills, call your county or municipal waste department for information on Hazardous Material Collection dates. Equipment and applicator clean-up: After use, first clean and store application equipment and then thoroughly rinse personal protection gear (gloves, boots, etc.) with cold water from a hose or container that is hand-held (gloves off) and was not used during application work.

All personal protection gear should then be washed in mild soap and water. Finally, applicators should wash their hands and any herbicide-exposed areas of their bodies. Applicators should shower and change clothing as soon as possible. Clothes used during the application must be washed and dried separately from other clothing before it is worn again, even if it appears uncontaminated. Contaminated clothing: If herbicide concentrate spills on clothing, the clothing should be discarded or, where permitted, burned immediately. Wrap contaminated clothing and other materials in newspaper before placing in trash or landfill. Clothing and other items contaminated with certain commercial products, such as technical grade 2,4-D or formulations in which 2,4-D is the only active ingredient, are classed as hazardous waste. Call your local hazardous materials center for instructions on how to dispose of this material. In cases where small quantities are involved it may be possible to dispose of contaminated clothing in the trash.

RESPONDING TO SPILLS – Rules and regulations regarding pesticide spills vary between states and counties. Therefore, before obtaining herbicides, call the local fire department or county Hazardous Materials Office for information on local regulations. In most cases, the proper response to a spill depends on the volume and concentration of herbicide released, location of the spill, and the chemical(s) involved. A rule of thumb is not to call for help from the local Hazardous Materials Office for herbicide spills unless they contaminate too much soil to dig up and place in plastic garbage bags. Be sure to carry a "Pesticide Kit" for emergency spills (Table #). If a spill occurs, keep people away from affected areas until the clean-up process is complete. When small volumes of dilute herbicide are spilled they may be treated by carefully digging up the affected soil and litter, and spreading this material at the legal rate or concentration. Small diesel (sometimes used as a crude surfactant) and gasoline spills may be treated by adding organic material (e.g., cow manure or compost) to the affected area and keeping it moist. In any spill considered to be an emergency, call the local fire department. They may come to the site to help prevent further spread of the chemical but if the spill is large they will likely require a certified company to do the clean-up.

Figure 1: Pesticide Spill Kit Equipment List Who May Apply Herbicides? Employees or contractors who apply herbicides must have all certificates or licenses required by the state. Each state has its own requirements. Most states conduct applicator training programs and in many areas local Agricultural Extension Agents give workshops on proper herbicide use. Volunteers may NOT apply herbicides unless they are properly licensed AND have signed a consent & release form. Staff who supervise volunteers should be properly licensed or certified.

Protection Against Herbicides – When using herbicides, the safety of the applicator, to others, and to the environment is of utmost importance. (Table #) Figure 2: Personal Protection in Herbicide Handling