Pesticide Applicator Equipment Cleaning to Prevent Carryover. Chuck Schuster University of Maryland Extension

Transcription

1 Pesticide Applicator Equipment Cleaning to Prevent Carryover Chuck Schuster University of Maryland Extension

2 Brand names appearing in this presentation are for identification and illustration purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Disclaimer:

3 Is this where it all starts?

4 Using pesticide applicator equipment for multiple crops and products can lead to potential problems. Cleaning Sprayers to Avoid Crop Injury

5 Growth regulators can cause soybean injury and crop yield decline. Non selective herbicides can damage alfalfa and other forages. Vegetables can have residue that is not allowable when carryover is not considered. WSDA Damage to valuable plants

6 WSDA

7 Avoid leaving equipment containing pesticide materials for long periods of time. If equipment is used on multiple crops, both herbicides and other pesticides, clean as soon as possible after use. Mix only what can be applied in one day. Planning Ahead

8 In A Hurry to Get Done? Don t be!

9 Always clean sprayer after use. Check prior to each use to determine that tank has not accumulated any dirt during storage. Clean and evaluate filters, strainers and screens. Basic Maintenance of Sprayers

10 Thoroughly clean inside and out of the application equipment. Use detergent and rinse with clean water. Cleanup

11 Clean your equipment thoroughly after each use or when changing chemicals. Pesticide residues in a spray tank may corrode metal, plug hoses, or damage pumps and valves unless they are removed immediately after use. Some residues left in the spray tank and components can react with pesticides used later, reducing the effectiveness of the pesticides. Pesticides may harden in hoses or areas that have dead ends or near ends of booms.

12 Notice the proper use of PPE during cleanup.

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14 When cleaning the sprayer, use only water that appears clean enough to drink. Water from ditches, ponds, or lakes can contain small particles that can clog nozzles and strainers.

15 Check all hoses for wear. Suction side hoses need to be firm, not able to collapse. Pressure side hoses should not have scraps or bulges. Look for weather and age related damage also. Replace as needed. Carefully Examine the Equipment

16 Remember, hoses used to apply pesticides can never be completely decontaminated. There will always be some pesticide residue left in them. Just when you thought it might be safe!

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18 Sprayer Maintenance

19 Evaluate strainers. Debris in a strainer can be residual pesticides. Clean all strainers, screens and filters. Carefully Examine the Equipment

20 Carefully inspect the sprayer tank itself. Fiberglass can break down over time. Fiberglass tank linings, if scratched, will absorb pesticides. Look for debris and residue in the sump and across the bottom that may have hardened over time. Removal of this material may be difficult because of limited access to these areas. Sprayer Tanks

21 Using appropriate PPE, carefully clean the tank. Remember that the wash water will contain contaminates. Cleaning the Tank

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23 Equipment rinsate may be also used as a diluent for future mixtures of pesticides if: the pesticide in the rinsate is labeled for use on the target site where the new mixture is to be applied. the amount of pesticide in the rinsate plus the amount of pesticide product in the new mixture does not exceed the label rate for the target site. the rinsate is used to dilute a mixture containing the same or a compatible pesticide. General Rules of Thumb

24 The rinsate cannot be added to a pesticide mixture if: the rinsate contains strong cleaning agents, such as bleach or ammonia, which might harm the plant, animal, or surface to which the pesticide will be applied. the rinsate would alter the pesticide mixture and make it unusable; for example, if the pesticides are physically or chemically incompatible. If rinsates cannot be subsequently applied to labeled sites, dispose of them as you would waste pesticides.

25 Induction Mixer/Loader Funnels

26 Often these are overlooked in the cleaning process. Concentrated products are added through the indication system and these areas need to be cleaned also. Check for any buildup anywhere in this system and work to remove it as part of the cleaning process. Induction Mixer/Loader Funnels

27 Commercial cleaning agents are available, and many of these can be used to remove residues of both water- and oil-soluble pesticides. The commercial cleaning agents tend to work better than household cleaning agents and can serve both to dissolve and to deactivate pesticide residues. Cleaning the Tank

28 The type of cleaning agent you use to clean your sprayer depends on the type of pesticide formulation used. Residues from some formulations are more difficult to remove from the tank than others. Cleaning the Tank

29 Household ammonia, a commonly recommended cleaning agent, is effective at penetrating and loosening deposits and residues in the spraying system. Although ammonia does not decompose herbicides, it increases the solubility of some herbicides by raising the ph. Clean your equipment thoroughly after each use or when changing chemicals. Pesticide residues in a spray tank may corrode metal, plug hoses, or damage pumps and valves unless they are removed immediately after use. Some residues left in the spray tank and components can react with pesticides used later, reducing the effectiveness of the pesticides. Can be applied to non crop ground. Cannot be used as a mix with other pesticide sprays. Cleaning the Tank

30 To remove residues of oil-based herbicides, such as esters of 2,4-D and similar materials, fill the tank onequarter to one-half full with a water-ammonia solution (1 quart of household ammonia to 25 gallons of water). Circulate the solution through the system for several minutes, allowing a small amount to pass through the nozzles. Let the remainder of the solution stand at least 6 hours, and then pump it through the nozzles and drain the tank.

31 Note: Household ammonia will corrode aluminum sprayer parts. Use caution, do not allow to sit for long periods of time. Flush tank completely.

32 Chlorine bleach can decompose residues of most sulfonylurea and other herbicides into inactive compounds. However, some tank-mix partners may inhibit the decomposition. Care must be used with chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can combine with fertilizers containing ammonia to produce dangerous chlorine gas, which is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Rinsate containing chlorine bleach is not labeled for application to cropland. By product is considered hazardous waste. Cleaning the Tank

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34 Environmental Hazard Statements Provides information on environmental impacts associated with the pesticide ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS This product is extremely toxic to aquatic and estuarine invertebrates. Do not contaminate water by cleaning equipment or disposal of wastes. BEE CAUTION: MAY KILL HONEYBEES IN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS. This product is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops or weeds. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.

35 Equipment in which wettable powders, amine forms, or water-soluble liquids have been used should be thoroughly rinsed with a water-detergent solution (2 pounds of detergent to 30 to 40 gallons of water). Water-soluble materials should be treated as watersoluble liquids. Allow the water-detergent solution to circulate through the system for several minutes. Remove the nozzles and strainers, and flush the entire spray system twice with clean water

36 Activated carbon can also be used to clean out a sprayer. It works by deactivating, or tying up, certain organic pesticides. Mix, agitate and let sit. Afterward, rinse the sprayer thoroughly with water to remove all the activated carbon, as any remaining traces of activated carbon will deactivate a portion of the next pesticide applied with the sprayer. Activated carbon is quite abrasive and can potentially damage certain spray equipment, particularly roller-type pumps.

37 Neutralize Tank Cleaner can removes pesticide residues from your spray equipment. It cleans and removes residues left by 2,4-Ds, sulfonylureas and other hard-to-remove residues that are extremely active at low rates. NutraSol Tank Cleaner removes pesticide residues from your spray equipment. It effectively cleans and removes residues left by 2,4-Ds, sulfonylureas and other hard-to-remove residues that are extremely active at low rates. CMR PESTICIDE EQUIPMENT CLEANER can remove and deactivate residual pesticide contamination from storage tanks and spray equipment. Use CMR PESTICIDE EQUIPMENT CLEANER before changing from one pesticide to another, or before storing equipment. Specialized Products to Consider

38 Nutrasol and Neutralize Tank Cleaner itself can be disposed of without concern. When used in tank cleaning it can be applied to non crop land or disposed of as hazardous waste material. These products cannot be used as material for other spray solutions. NutraSol and Neutralize Tank Cleaner

39 Use 1 to 2 pints CMR PESTICIDE EQUIPMENT CLEANER per 50 gallons of water. Close valves to boom and nozzles. Use bypass or mechanical agitation to circulate solution throughout spray system. Use hose or hand boom to ensure solution will contact all contaminated surfaces of sprayer not submerged in the solution. Maintain solution contact for at least 15 minutes. When tank is cleaned, flush the cleaning solution through pump, all hoses, valves and nozzles. Soak nozzle and nozzle screens. Can be sprayed onto non crop land to dispose. CMR PESTICIDE EQUIPMENT CLEANER

40 Causes eye and skin irritation. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin. Do not get in eyes or on skin or clothing. Avoid breathing spray mist. Wear protective eyewear, long sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes plus socks and chemical resistant gloves made of any waterproof material when mixing or handling concentrate. Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse. Reacts with Aluminum tanks. Do not leave for more than one hour. CMR Warnings

41 This product contains significant amounts of Sodium Carbonate. May irritate skin and eyes and respiratory tract. Not expected to be toxic to the environment, nor to aquatic organisms. Avoid simultaneous exposure to sodium carbonate and lime dust. In the presence of moisture (i.e. perspiration) the two materials combine to form caustic soda (NaOH), which may cause burns. NutraSol and Neutralize Tank Cleaner Warnings

42 This product contains significant amounts of Sodium Carbonate. May irritate skin and eyes and respiratory tract. Not expected to be toxic to the environment, nor to aquatic organisms. Avoid simultaneous exposure to sodium carbonate and lime dust. In the presence of moisture (i.e. perspiration) the two materials combine to form caustic soda (NaOH), which may cause burns. NutraSol and Neutralize Tank Cleaner Warnings

43 Always allow the cleaning agent some amount of time in the tank with the pump running to move through all the lines and controls. A quick rinse will not do the job.

44 Questions? Thank You!

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