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In an earlier article, I discussed the different types of pesticides and how they kill pests. This is important to know because what would happen if you are accidentally exposed to the material?
In most cases, an exposure to the typical pesticides we rosarians use is not a matter of life or death; we do not deal with that many highly toxic materials. The most toxic is disulfoton, the main ingredient in granular systemic fertilizers. The chemicals of greatest concern are those that would cause irreparable damage to the body.
The human body is a marvelous machine and it can counteract most chemicals. Almost all of the chemicals we use are not carcinogenic (causes cancer), but some are irritants, teratogens (cause birth defects as it effects the eggs or sperm of the parent), mutagens (mutates cells), or will effect the central nervous system. Some will target a specific organ in the body, such as the kidneys, and can do some real damage if exposed continually over time. Time and dose are major factors. For most of us, we have little exposure so it is unlikely to be a major concern. Those who spray weekly need to be concerned.
To avoid poisonings you need to wear protective clothing, including a long sleeved shirt, goggles, boots, gloves, and in some cases, a respirator. Cover all parts of your body from exposure. Those paper masks are only good for working around dusty materials, but most of the pesticides are organics and will evaporate into the air.
Typically, there are three types of exposure to the human: oral (ingestion), inhalation (breathing), and dermal (such as eye or skin contact). Each pesticide has its own dangers; therefore it is vital that everyone using these materials know of the potential dangers. And don’t think this only applies to synthetic chemicals; the organic materials can be just as harmful. Of the exposures, there are two commonly used terms, acute (short term) and chronic (long term) toxicity. Acute is usually immediate, such as burning the skin. Chronic is like smoking, it has long term effects. A chemical can have both acute and chronic effects. Speaking of smoking, those who smoke are generally at a higher risk when exposed to chemicals, often as much as 20 times more so.
Make a list of every pesticide that you use. READ THE LABEL. The label contains the hazards of use, methods of exposure, toxicity, and most importantly, the first aid instructions in case of poisoning. If the label is too small, get a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer. Many of these are available from the internet. You can also take the label down to a copying place and have the first aid and hazard sections blown up to readable size. Keep these handy at all times. Know the mixing ratio, never mix with other chemicals than the label specifies.
The MSDS typically has all of the information found on the labels and more. They have the chemical data, composition, hazard information, first aid measures, fire fighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure control (protection needed), toxicological information, ecological information, disposal information, and regulatory information. It is always a good idea to have the MSDS of all your chemicals. Also, they have telephone numbers to call in case of emergency.
One of the biggest exposures to the rosarian is splashing the concentrated material onto your skin or in your eye. (I believe this question is still on the Consulting Rosarian test.) This is where you need to wear protective clothing and eye protection when you mix chemicals. The clothing you wear should be washable, but wash them alone, do not wash with other clothing. A Tyvek suit is lightweight and washable, plus provides excellent protection. See what the label says to do when you do splash the material on you. Most will say to wash with soap and water. You really have to make sure to treat it properly; using the wrong material may speed up the damage or exposure. Once again, know what the label says. The pesticide itself may not be the problem material in all cases. Funginex is relatively harmless, but the oil carrier is the offending material. The carrier can cause irreparable damage to the eyes, so that is why it has been rated as Danger. Other chemicals may be synergistic, not bad by themselves, but dangerous if combined with another material.
Know the meanings of the warning categories. These warning labels are on all chemicals. The lower the number, the more hazardous the material.
I - Danger – highly toxic
II - Warning – moderately toxic
III - Caution – slightly toxic
IV - Caution – toxic
Another characteristic is if the chemical is water or oil soluble or insoluble. That is critical for the proper treatment of exposures. If the material and carrier are water insoluble then using water will further spread the material rather than thin it down.
The other common route of exposure is inhalation. Most of this occurs when you are spraying in windy conditions and the material comes back onto you. Another route is mixing the material in a closed room. As mentioned before, most pesticides are organic liquids and they evaporate rather quickly. A respirator is the equipment of choice to reduce inhalation exposure.
The third exposure is oral, usually in the form of ingestion. This is not a concern to most rosarians as we do not eat what we spray. However, an agriculture expert from New Mexico told us of the story of a person who mixed chemicals and stored the excess in a Coke bottle. His grandchild, thinking it was the “real thing,” drank the poison and died. We have discussed before the hazards of not storing pesticides in the original container and never mix up more than you can use. Never store mixed pesticides; they go bad quickly once made up in water. The chemical is hydrolyzed, and often makes it ineffective. The other mode is inhaling dusts. Some of the chemicals come in a powdered form, like Eagle and Bayleton. Use a dust mask when working around these materials.
The following is a list of the first aid recommendations for exposures to the most common pesticides used by rosarians. If the person is unconscious, do not attempt to give first aid, call 911 right away.
This acaricide has a high acute toxicity. Overall it is moderately toxic. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Ingestion; drink plenty of water and do not induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
This is a very common fungicide. Its overall toxicity is very low. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Ingestion; drink plenty of water and do not induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
This material is an irritant. Eyes: flush out for 15 minutes with water. Skin: wash with soap and water. Inhalation: move to fresh air. Ingestion: drink 1-2 glasses of water, induce vomiting.
Very low toxicity, this is one of the new “hot” insecticides. Overall, one of the safest insecticides. Eye: may cause slight irritation. Skin: not likely to irritate skin. Ingestion: not likely to cause problems or toxicity. Inhalation: not likely to cause adverse effects.
The main ingredient in granular systemic fertilizers/ pesticide. Very toxic, avoid inhaling dust, keep away from pets and animals. Eyes: flush out for 15 minutes with water. Skin: wash with soap and water. Inhalation: move to fresh air. Ingestion: call hospital or poison center right away. Drink 1-2 glasses of water, induce vomiting if immediate care is not available, vomit until fluids are clear.
Carrier makes it hazardous to the eyes. Eyes: wash out with water for 15 minutes and make sure eyelids are open. Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Ingestion: drink milk or water, do not induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
One of the lower toxic insecticides. Has a strong odor because of the carrier. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Ingestion; drink plenty of water and do not induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
Has a high oral acute toxicity. I am personally allergic to this material, causes swelling of exposed areas such as the skin or throat if inhaled. Eyes: flush immediately with water. Skin: apply corn oil to area. Inhalation: move to an area with fresh air. Ingestion: drink several glasses of water and induce vomiting.
Another one of the new “hot” insecticides that is low in toxicity. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: wash with soap and water. Ingestion; drink plenty of water and induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
A good fungicide, comes in powder or liquid form. Low toxicity. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: wash with soap and water. Ingestion; drink 2 glasses of water. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
A common pesticide, often sold in combination with Funginex as Orthenex. Moderate toxicity. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Ingestion; drink plenty of water and induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
A fungicide used for controlling downy mildew. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. Ingestion; drink plenty of water and induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
Used for dormant spraying. Not very toxic, mostly an eye irritant. Eyes: immediately rinse all parts of eyes with running water. Skin: none required. Ingestion: do not induce vomiting. Inhalation: move to fresh air.
As you can see, these are not chemicals to take lightly. Prevention is the key to first aid. Never mix chemicals in a closed area, never spray on windy days, wear all of your protective clothing, and read the label and MSDS sheets and know all about your pesticides before starting.
Reprinted from the June 2003 issue of “Rose Ecstasy,” bulletin of the Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society, Kitty Belendez, Editor.
