Pesticide Disposal Safety After Flooding

— Written by Luke Owen | October 11, 2024 (Updated: Oct. 21, 2024, 6:31 a.m.)

If you have experienced flood damage to pesticide storage facilities, or pesticide products have been deposited on your property via flood waters, be sure to protect yourself and dispose of these products properly! Here are some safety tips and other resources to ensure that you are protecting yourself, others, and the environment.

During clean-up, be aware of what types of products you are handling and always watch for signs of pesticide poisoning. Always be sure to read the label to follow proper handling procedures for particular products. In cases of unlabeled products, be sure to take caution and wear PPE including chemical resistant gloves, pants, rubber shoes, and safety glasses. Be sure to watch for acute (sudden in onset) symptoms frequently include headache, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, excessive salivation or sweating, difficulty breathing, weakness, tremors, or convulsions. These symptoms will usually appear immediately or within a few hours of exposure. See a doctor immediately or contact the Carolinas Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 if symptoms occur. If possible, write down brand names or active ingredients of pesticides you have handled.

1. Safety: If you suspect your pesticide storage area has storm damage flooded, use
caution in investigating the area. Wear personal protective equipment such as
chemical-resistant gloves, rubber boots, protective clothing and eyewear.

2. Assess: the area and contain the spread: Evaluate and identify the problem areas
and use absorbent materials to contain the spread of the spill.

3. Cleanup: After stabilizing the area, begin cleaning it up. It is important that cleanup
be prompt, but also safe. Things to consider include identifying a place to temporarily
store the damagedflooded material before ultimate disposal and plans for how to
dispose of the pesticides. Make sure this temporary site meets proper pesticide
storage regulations and keeps products out of the weather. Do not load all chemicals
into one bin or container. This could not only create safety concerns and adverse
chemical reactions, it could create response delays and increase disposal cost.

AFTER A FLOOD HAS OCCURRED:
● Investigate: If you suspect flooding has occurred in your pesticide storage area, use great caution in investigating as floodwaters may be contaminated with pesticides. Make sure to wear appropriate PPE to avoid exposure, particularly safety boots and gloves.
● Report: If a release of pesticide has occurred, contact NCDA&CS at (919)733-3556 to speak with trained staff that can provide information to help in a pesticide emergency. For emergencies during non-business hours, contact 911 or the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center at 1-800-858-0368. Emergency personnel will gather information about the pesticide spill and notify emergency response professionals in your area to serve as first responders to the flood site, as necessary. NCDA&CS can also inform you of other government agencies you may be
required to report to, depending on the type and amount of chemical(s) involved in your spill.
● Contain: Take steps to prevent further release of the pesticides, if possible. Place leaking containers into sealed, larger containers. Wear protective clothing and equipment so you do not expose yourself to hazardous material in the process. While the leak is being controlled, contain the spill material to the original area.

Disposal of Pesticides in Buncombe County:

TV/Hazardous Waste days at the Buncombe County Landfill has been cancelled for the remainder of the year. In response, Cooperative Extension has partnered with the NCDA in scheduling a pesticide disposal event at the Mills River Research Station on October 24th, 2024. For more details, please visit the link Pesticide Disposal Day for WNC-October 24th
.

Resources:

NC State Pesticide Safety Education Program

919-515-3113

NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control and Pesticide

919-733-3556

NCDA&CS Pesticide Disposal Program

For larger loads or specific questions, you can reach out to your local Cooperative Extension office. For Buncombe County, you can contact Luke Owen at lcowen@ncsu.edu or you can call 828-255-5522.

NCDA&CS Disposal Team