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Mississippi Farm-A-Syst
Farmstead Assessment System
Handling and Storing Pesticides

Before Completing Your Self-Assessment

This self-assessment is an important part of the Farm-A-Syst program. This voluntary program helps you evaluate conditions on your farm that could threaten drinking water quality and water quality in streams, rivers, and other sources. The information on this page tells you why you should use pesticides properly for water quality, health, environmental, and legal reasons. Read it carefully before completing this self-assessment.

This self-assessment is one in a series of voluntary environmental self-assessments in the Farm-A-Syst program. For a more complete picture of activities or conditions on your farm that could affect water quality, review other Farm-A-Syst and Home-A-Syst environmental self-assessments available at your county Extension office.

Your responses to this self-assessment are for your use. Although completing it is voluntary, taking a few minutes to respond may help you identify potential areas on your farm that could lead to water quality problems. You may find it useful to involve your spouse and/or children in completing your self-assessment. If you need other help or follow-up information, contact your county Extension office.

Why You Should Be Concerned About Pesticides

Pesticides play an important role in agriculture by making possible an abundant, high-quality food supply. Some of the same chemicals, however, used to control crop pests also can harm people, livestock, pets, fish, and wildlife. Used properly, pesticides pose little threat to drinking water quality. Used improperly, pesticides may contaminate drinking water and surface waters such as streams and lakes, and are a direct health risk as well. These potentially harmful impacts are greatly reduced by proper pesticide use, storage, and container disposal, according to the product label. As a pesticide user, you have a legal responsibility to use pesticides according to the product label to reduce these risks.

Although drinking water contamination from pesticides is rare, it is possible under certain conditions. For example, pesticides may enter the groundwater that supplies drinking water, indirectly by leaching or moving through the soil, or directly by leaks and spills. Pesticides also can enter a drinking water supply by backflow or backsiphonage during pesticide mixing. Pesticides may enter groundwater through a poorly sealed well or an abandoned well. For these reasons, do not use pesticides directly around a drinking water source or other water sources. Pesticides applied immediately before a heavy rain may wash into streams or other surface waters and threaten fish and wildlife.

For personal protection, always wear recommended protective clothing and follow required field re-entry periods when using pesticides. Keep all pesticides in original containers and out of children's reach.

A water quality test, available at sources at the bottom of this publication, can detect pesticides in drinking water. If your drinking water comes from a private well, it is your responsibility to make sure the water is safe. While you should not be alarmed simply because pesticides are used on your farm or near your home, you may want to have your water tested if pesticide use is frequent or if there is a pesticide spill, an unexplained illness, or a change in activities that may increase the risk of pesticide or other contamination. As a precaution, keep the telephone numbers of your doctor, the Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center (1-601-354-7660), and Mississippi Agromedicine (1-800-738-9898) handy in case of accidental poisoning.

A Word About Regulations

Farm pesticides are regulated by state and federal laws. You can be held liable for any damage to people, animals, fish, or wildlife resulting from your pesticide use and handling practices. Protect yourself, others, and the environment by using pesticides on labeled crops at label rates. Also, triple-rinse or pressure-rinse empty containers immediately after use and dispose of by recycling or in an approved landfill. For more information on pesticide-use regulations, contact the Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry.

Safely store and transport pesticides and all potential pollutants to reduce the chance of an accident or spill. Develop an emergency response plan so you will know what to do in case of a spill, fire, or other emergency. For information on controlling a spill or to report a spill, contact the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality at (601) 961-5171 or (601) 352-9100. For other information on pesticides, contact your county Extension office.

As a farm owner, you also are required to protect farm workers from pesticide exposure and to keep records of restricted-use pesticide applications. This self-assessment focuses on water quality and does not include these additional requirements. For more information on worker protection and pesticide record keeping, contact your county Extension office or the Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry.

Understanding Your Self-Assessment

Your drinking water and other water sources are least likely to be contaminated by pesticides if you use as many of the low-risk practices in this self-assessment as you can reasonably follow. You may not be able to use all low-risk practices, but use as many as practical to protect water quality and the environment. As you complete your self-assessment, do not be alarmed if you check several or even many high-risk statements. This does not automatically mean your farm has water quality problems. It could, however, tell you that attention may be needed to avoid problems.

Directions

This self-assessment is a series of three-part statements, each with a low, medium, and high ranking. This ranking relates to the level of risk to drinking water quality or other environmental risks associated with that activity or condition. First, read all statements in each set, then check the ranking that best describes conditions on your farm. Remember, this self-assessment is for your information, and your goal is to apply as many low-risk practices as you can.

Part 1. Pesticide Storage Practices

Level of risk
Low ( ) You reduce the amount of pesticides stored by buying only the amount you expect to use for an application. Additional pesticides are purchased only when needed.

Medium ( ) You usually buy only the product amounts you expect to use for an application but sometimes buy more than you can use when you find "specials."

High ( ) You usually don't check to see what pesticide products are on hand before buying others and often have products left over after an application or a production season.

Low ( ) You usually store small amounts of pesticides, or less than 1 gallon or 10 pounds of each pesticide, on your farm.

Medium ( ) You usually store moderate amounts of pesticides, or less than 5 gallons or 50 pounds of each pesticide.

High ( ) You usually store large amounts of pesticides, or more than 55 gallons or 550 pounds of each pesticide.

Low ( ) No liquid pesticides are stored on your farm at any time (all stored chemicals are dry).

Medium ( ) Some liquid and some dry pesticides are stored on your farm.

High ( ) Only liquid pesticides are stored on your farm.

Low ( ) All pesticides stored on your farm have low potential to leach or move down in the soil (see accompanying list showing leaching potential of pesticides).

Medium ( ) All pesticides stored on your farm have low or medium leaching potential.

High ( ) Any pesticides with high leaching potential are stored on your farm.

Low ( ) Your pesticide storage area is a roofed building with a concrete floor and curb to contain leaks and spills, is ventilated, and more than 100 feet from a well or surface waters.

Medium ( ) Your pesticide storage area is roofed with a concrete floor and no curb, or has a wooden floor, and is at least 100 feet from a well or surface waters.

High ( ) Your pesticide storage area is in the open, or has a gravel or dirt floor where spills could contaminate the soil, or is less than 100 feet from a well or surface waters, or pesticides are stored in your wellhouse.

Low ( ) Your pesticide storage area is fenced, locked, and separated from other activities. No other products are stored with pesticides.

Medium ( ) Your pesticide storage area is fenced but sometimes open to activities that could damage containers or spill pesticides.

High ( ) Your pesticide storage area has no fence and is open to theft, vandalism, and children, or is used to store other products or house livestock.

Low ( ) Any unusable, suspended, or canceled pesticides are separated in the pesticide storage area until safe disposal in a recycling or collection program.

Medium ( ) Unusable, suspended, or canceled pesticides are mixed with other pesticides in clearly marked containers.

High ( ) Unusable, suspended, or canceled pesticides are stored where convenient, or in unmarked containers, or are buried on the farm or dumped off the farm property.

Low ( ) Any pesticides stored in metal containers are in clearly labeled original containers in good condition.

Medium ( ) Some pesticides are stored in worn metal containers, or parts of some labels are hard to read or missing.

High ( ) Some pesticides are stored in metal containers with holes or weak seams that may leak, or some containers have no label, or any pesticides are stored in non-original containers.

Part 2. Pesticide Mixing and Application Practices

Level of risk
Low ( ) Before using any pesticide, you always read the label and use the product according to label directions.

Medium ( ) You usually read pesticide labels before using the product but sometimes rely on past use of the product or a friend's advice for rates and uses.

High ( ) You usually don't read pesticide labels and don't always know if your use of the product complies with label directions, or pesticides are applied without regard to label directions.

Low ( ) You personally see to it that others who use pesticides on your farm handle them safely according to label directions.

Medium ( ) You usually supervise others on your farm who use pesticides but aren't always around to give directions or advice.

High ( ) Others on your farm apply pesticides with little or no supervision or without your knowledge.

Low ( ) You check weather conditions before applying pesticides to make sure they are not applied when rain or wind may cause pollution or drift problems.

Medium ( ) You usually check the weather before applying pesticides but sometimes apply them when weather is less than ideal.

High ( ) You usually don't check the weather before applying pesticides and apply them regardless of weather conditions, or damage or injury to fish, wildlife, or a neighbor's crops results from your pesticide applications.

Low ( ) You are always careful to mix only the amounts of the pesticide you need to complete the job at hand.

Medium ( ) You sometimes mix more of a product than you really need to complete the job.

High ( ) You often have pesticide mix left over after finishing the job and are left with a disposal problem.

Low ( ) You have a concrete pesticide mixing and loading pad with a curb to hold spills. The pad drains to a sump (pit or reservoir) to help collect and transfer spills. All spills are cleaned up immediately.

Medium ( ) You have a concrete pesticide mixing and loading pad but no curb or sump to help collect and transfer pesticide spills. Most spills are collected.

High ( ) You have no pesticide mixing and loading pad. Some spills are cleaned up late or not at all and soak into the ground or drain toward a well or surface waters.

Low ( ) You always mix and load pesticides more than 100 feet from a well or surface waters. You're very careful to avoid spills.

Medium ( ) You usually mix and load pesticides at least 100 feet from a well or surface waters. Spills sometimes happen.

High ( ) You usually mix and load pesticides less than 100 feet from a well or surface waters. Spills are frequent.

Low ( ) You use a separate water tank (nurse tank) as a water source when mixing pesticides.

Medium ( ) You use a hydrant away from a well as a water source when mixing pesticides.

High ( ) You use a hydrant near a drinking water source, a drinking well itself, or water from a pond or stream as a water source when mixing pesticides.

Low ( ) Your pesticide mixing and loading system is "closed" (no pesticides are poured by hand; they go directly through a hose from the container to application equipment).

Medium ( ) Most pesticides are hand poured; your sprayer fill port is easy to reach.

High ( ) All pesticides are hand poured; your sprayer fill port is hard to reach.

Low ( ) Any well near pesticide mixing and application areas is inspected annually and is in good condition. No abandoned wells are on your farm or property.

Medium ( ) Any well near pesticide mixing and application areas is checked every two or three years and is in good condition. Any abandoned well is properly sealed.

High ( ) Any well near pesticide mixing and application areas is seldom or never checked, or a well has a cracked casing or is poorly sealed, or an abandoned, unsealed well is on your farm or property.

Low ( ) You prevent pesticide water from backflowing into a well by installing a check valve or by securing the hose 6 inches above the sprayer tank water line. The tank is filled with water before adding pesticide unless the label tells you otherwise.

Medium ( ) Your pesticide mixing system has no check valve, but you hand-hold the hose in the sprayer tank above the water line. You usually follow filling instructions on the product label.

High ( ) Your pesticide mixing system has no check valve and you hang the hose loosely in the sprayer tank where it may fall below the water line. You add pesticides before adding water or don't read the label for filling instructions.

Low ( ) When filling a pesticide spray tank, you stay on the site from start to finish to make sure there are no overflows.

Medium ( ) You stay in the area when filling a pesticide spray tank and usually check to make sure there are no overflows.

High ( ) You start the spray tank filling procedure and leave the area. You check only when you think the tank is filled or nearly filled.

Low ( ) Before going to the field, you check nozzles, hoses, and pumps for leaks. You check during operation to make sure equipment is working properly.

Medium ( ) You usually check spray equipment before applying pesticides but don't check equipment once in operation.

High ( ) You usually don't check spray equipment before applying pesticides and aren't aware of any problem until there is a leak or breakdown.

Low ( ) You calibrate pesticide application equipment before beginning and recheck it during use to make sure recommended rates are applied.

Medium ( ) You usually calibrate pesticide application equipment before beginning but sometimes use the existing setting or don't recheck it before finishing the job.

High ( ) You use the same pesticide equipment calibration as the previous year or don't calibrate equipment at all and aren't sure how much pesticide is being applied.

Low ( ) You maintain a buffer area of more than 100 feet between pesticide application areas and a well or surface waters, or follow the product label for buffer area requirements.

Medium ( ) You maintain some buffer area between pesticide application areas and a well or surface waters, but usually less than 100 feet.

High ( ) You maintain little or no buffer area between pesticide application areas and a well or surface waters or don't follow the product label and applied pesticides contaminate water sources or harm humans, animals, fish, or wildlife.

Low ( ) When finishing the last pesticide application, you rinse the sprayer in the field and spray the rinse water on a labeled crop more than 100 feet from a well or surface waters.

Medium ( ) You rinse the pesticide sprayer at the mixing site and spray the rinse water on a field turnrow at least 100 feet from a well or surface waters.

High ( ) You rinse the pesticide sprayer at the mixing site and dump the rinse water less than 100 feet from a well or surface waters, near your home, or in a field.

Part 3. Pesticide Container Disposal

Level of risk
Low ( ) You reduce the number of empty pesticide containers that must be disposed by buying products in mini-bulk or returnable containers.

Medium ( ) Some pesticide products you buy are in mini-bulk or returnable containers.

High ( ) Most or all pesticides you buy are in small containers that require special handling or treatment before disposal.

Low ( ) You triple rinse or pressure rinse empty pesticide containers immediately after use, use the rinse water on a labeled crop, and take rinsed containers to a recycler or approved landfill. Empty pesticide bags go to an approved landfill.

Medium ( ) You rinse empty pesticide containers and apply the rinse water on uncropped land at least 100 feet from a water source. Empty containers and bags are stored on the farm.

High ( ) You store unrinsed pesticide containers or apply pesticide rinse water less than 100 feet from any water source, or bury rinsed pesticide containers on the farm, or bury or dump unrinsed or partly filled containers or burn empty pesticide bags.

Bold type means that in addition to being a high-risk practice, this activity violates pesticide or water quality laws.

Your Farm A Syst Score Sheet

This score sheet helps you understand your self-assessment by letting you compare your low, medium, and high risk activities and conditions. To do your score sheet, use a pocket calculator and follow these steps:
  • First, count your answers for each level of risk in your self-assessment. Write these numbers in the three spaces in the left part of the chart below.
  • Second, add these numbers to give your total number of answers. Write this number in each of the three spaces to the right of the divided sign in the chart. You'll use this same number each time to figure a percentage.
  • Third, divide your number of answers in each level of risk by your total number of answers. Multiply your answer each time by 100 to convert this number to a percent.
Number of low risk answers ________ ÷ ________ X 100 = ________ %
Number of medium risk answers ________ ÷ ________ X 100 = ________ %
Number of high risk answers ________ ÷ ________ X 100 = ________ %
Enter your total number of answers in these spaces.

Using percentages is an easy way to compare your low risk, medium risk, and high risk activities or conditions. For example, if your percentage in the lower right column is 50, it means that 50 percent of the activities or conditions in your self-assessment are a high risk to water quality or the environment.

Although there are no "passing" or "failing" grades on your self-assessment, you may find it useful to compare your percentage of high risk activities to the environmental scorecard below.

  • Less than 25 high risk answers -- You're far ahead of the pack in your water quality protection program.
  • 25 to 50 high risk answers -- Your water quality program generally is on track. A nudge could push you nearer the top.
  • 51 to 75 high risk answers -- You're doing some things right but have a way to go in your water quality program.
  • 76 to 100 high risk answers -- There's no cause to panic, but you may want to get help to correct some activities.

For more information

Pesticide use regulations

Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry
P.O. Box 5207
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(601) 325-3390

Pesticide container disposal

Your county Extension office

or

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Pollution Control
P.O. Box 10385
Jackson, MS 39289-0385
(601) 961-5171

To control or report pesticide spills

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Pollution Control
P.O. Box 10385
Jackson, MS 39289-0385
(601) 961-5171 or (601) 352-9100

Water quality testing information

Your county health department (bacteria testing)

or

A private water testing laboratory (contact your county health department or Extension office for references)

or

The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory (fee required)
P.O. Box CR
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(601) 325-3324

Emergency information

Your doctor

or

Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center
(601) 354-7660

or

Mississippi Agromedicine
1-800-738-9898

For more information on pesticides and water quality, contact your county Extension office.

This publication is based on work by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service, under special project number 90-EHUA-1-0014.

By Dr. Jimmy Bonner, Farm-A-Syst program coordinator, Energy Extension Center, in cooperation with the Mississippi Bureau of Plant Industry and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 1910
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. 
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