Garden Chemical
Safety
By Suzzanna Walsh, Master Gardener
So, there I was, going through my tool shed one Saturday morning. I pick up an innocent-looking garden sprayer
only to get a spray of some unknown chemical right in the face! To the refrain of my husband hollering
"go wash your face, go wash your face", I took off to - go wash my
face! I still have no idea what was in
that sprayer, and am only lucky that I didn't suffer the consequences of my own
ineptitude.
This story leads me to this article based on the idea that if it can happen to
me, it can certainly happen to others. Garden
chemical safety is not difficult. It
does take some forethought and diligence on the part of the home gardener. Here are some tips:
1.
Know your chemicals. Read
about them before you buy them. Make
sure the chemical is absolutely the one you need. Ask yourself: "Is this the only method
available to accomplish my task; will this product find its way into our ground
water supply, and ultimately, into our drinking water, and; is this product
environmentally friendly?"
2.
Keep chemicals in their original containers if possible, and if
you must put them into an application device, read number three below.
3.
Label your chemical application device (e.g., garden sprayer). List the name of the chemical, the date you
bought it, the expiration date if the original container gave one, and the
intended use of the chemical.
4.
Know the name of the chemical (e.g., RoundUp), and the phone
number of the poison control center. Many
chemical containers also give a Medical Information phone number as well as
First Aid instructions.
5.
Store chemicals according to manufacturer instruction. Recommended storage temperatures vary by
product. Remember to store them in
places inaccessible to children and pets.
A locked cabinet specific to garden chemical storage, away from the
house, food, children, and pets is an excellent idea.
6.
While using the product wear long sleeves, long pants, and gloves. Use a mask if there is any concern about
inhalation of the product. Don't use the
chemical when children and pets are around.
7.
When you are finished with your task, wash your hands well, and
launder your clothing promptly.
8.
Read the label on the original container and dispose of excess
chemical and the container as instructed.
If you don't have the original container (or it is unreadable) take the
environmentally safe route - directly to a hazardous waste drop-off site. Never pour a chemical down the drain or
somewhere else where it might jeopardize our ground water supply.
Below is a list of San Luis Obispo County
Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) sites where you can drop off
hazardous waste:
Cold Canyon Landfill,
Hwy 227, SLO, 549-8332, open Friday and Saturday
Chicago
Grade Landfill, Hwy 41, Atascadero, 466-2985, open Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm;
Morro Bay Waste Water Plant,
160 Atascadero Rd, Morro bay, open Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm;
Nipomo Facility,
509 Southland, Nipomo, open Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm;
Paso
Robles Landfill, Hwy 46 East, Paso Robles, open Saturday 11:00am -
3:00pm.
These sites and other information are available at http://iw!
ma.com/householdhaz/dropoff.html.
9.
As we near the end of our active gardening season it is a great
time to go through our supply of garden chemicals and check for expiration dates
(which may vary among chemicals and suppliers), leaking containers, unknown
contents, and accessibility to children and animals. Dispose of chemicals only as labels instruct.
10.
Finally, ask yourself: "is my garden problem serious enough for
a serious chemical; do I need a weed-killing chemical, or can I pull those
weeds by hand and apply a layer of weed-inhibiting mulch; do I need a chemical
fertilizer, or can I be proactive by preparing my garden beds with natural soil
amendments used to their best advantage, and; is my need for a 'perfect garden'
outweighed by long term environmental consequences"?
Websites mentioned are sites outside of the