Reducing the Risk Around Pesticides

Consider these top safety tios when working around necessary chemicals.

- Adrienne Held Agronomy

Pesticides are powerful tools on the farm, but they are not without risk. Understanding the essentials of pesticide safety can help prevent unintended exposure for people and the environment. February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month, and this is a great time to review pesticide safety practices on the farm.

"Today, pesticides are used in and around homes, apartments, workplaces, farms, and a myriad of other settings to control weeds, insects, disease-causing organisms, rodents, and other pests," said Fred Whitford, PhD, director of Purdue Pesticide Programs at Purdue University. "That means everyone benefits when we focus on pesticide safety education."

Below are some top considerations to stay safe when working with and around pesticides.

Pesticide Applicator License

For farmers adding restricted use pesticides (RUPS) to their management plans, obtaining a pesticide applicator certification is an important first step. Without one, farmers cannot buy RUPs from their co-ops or other local dealers.

Each state has its own certification program. In Iowa, there are two main types of pesticide applicator certifications:

• A private applicator certification is for anyone using a RUP on land they own or lease. For most farmers, a private applicator certification should be sufficient on their own farms.

• Commercial applicator licenses are divided into several subcategories. Certifications are required for anyone looking to be paid for pesticide application services.

A commercial applicator must be certified for each category of pesticide they apply.

In Iowa, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) oversees all pesticide applicator certifications. Each person looking to obtain a certification must pass an exam covering the basics of pesticide use.