Metam Manufacturers

1. Metam Manufacturers • http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/soil_fumigants/

2. 2011 Changes(Phase 1) • Becomes Restricted Use • Personal Protective Equip changes • Site Monitoring • Posting Requirements • 5 day re-entry • Good Agricultural Practices • Fumigation Management Plans • Handler/Applicator Training

3. What is a “Certified Applicator?” • For the 2011 season a CA must be either a State Licensed Private Applicator or Commercial Applicator (with Soil Fumigation endorsement) • For the 2012 season there will be new training requirements in place (registrant provided training, as well as state license)

6. Safe Handling of Metam • First Aid • Personal Protective Equipment requirements • Stop and Start work triggers • For additional info refer to the Certified Applicator, Label, Fumigation Management Plan, and MSDS sheet. Read and follow all label instructions.

7. Safe Handling of Metam • Only properly trained and equipped handlers may enter the fumigation block during the restricted entry period (restricted period: during the application and 5 days following) • Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the situation and task • Clean (per manufacturer’s instructions) PPE after use • Store PPE outside of cab • Wash your hands prior to eating or drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, or using the toilet

8. Safe Handling of Metam • Only Trained Handlers are authorized to perform the following: *Load/unload trucks (transfer product) *Repair equipment *Start/Stop chemigation equipment (supervised by certified applicator) *Calibrate chemigation (supervised by certified applicator) *Monitor chemigation applications (supervised by certified applicator) *Clean up spills * Operate application equipment (supervised by certified applicator) *Scout fields (post application, during Restricted Entry Period)

9. Personal Protective EquipmentThe trigger for respirator use is sensory irritation (tearing, burning of the eyes or nose) • All handlers who use a respirator must: *be fit-tested and fit-checked conforming with OSHA requirements *Trained using OSHA conforming program *Examined by a qualified medical practitioner to ensure the handler’s physical ability to wear respirators

10. Personal Protective Equipment • Handlers wearing chemical resistant suit are limited to 30 min. in any 60 min. period • Protective eyewear are to be of the sealing, non-venting type • Full face respirator at least NIOSH approved with either: * organic-vapor removing cartridge with pre-filter approved for pesticides (NOISH approval # prefix TC-23C) or *canister approved for pesticides (NOISH approval # TC-14G)

11. Personal Protective Equipment • For handlers who may be exposed to liquid spray: *Chemical resistant coveralls over long-sleeve shirt and long pants *Chemical resistant gloves *Chemical resistant footwear plus socks *Chemical resistant headgear *Protective eyewear *Respirator

12. Personal Protective Equipment • For handlers who transfer product, repair equipment, clean up spills: *Coveralls over long sleeve shirt and long pants *Chemical resistant gloves *Chemical resistant footwear plus socks *Chemical resistant apron *Protective eyewear *Respirator (if triggered)

13. Presonal Protective Equipment • For Handlers who calibrate chemigation equipment: *Long sleeve shirt and long pants *Shoes plus socks *Protective eyewear *Respirator (if triggered)

14. Personal Protective Equipment • For all other handlers *Long sleeve shirt and long pants *Shoes plus socks *Respirator (if triggered)

15. First Aid if on skin or clothing • Remove contaminated clothing • Rinse affected area with plenty of water for 15 to 20 minutes • Call poison control center or doctor (have label or MSDS)

16. First Aid if in eyes • Hold eye(s) open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes • Remove contact lenses, if present within the first 5 minutes • Call poison control center or doctor (have label or MSDS)

17. First Aid if Inhaled • Move person to fresh air • If not breathing, call 911/ambulance, give artificial respiration • Call poison control or doctor (have label or MSDS)

18. First Aid if Swallowed • Call poison control or doctor immediately (have label or MSDS) • Have the person sip a glass of water • Do Not induce vomiting unless directed by poison control or doctor • Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person

19. Stop and Start work Triggers • If a handler experiences sensory irritation then: *leave the area or *a respirator must be worn by all handlers or *Cease operations and leave the area *Monitor MITC levels if work continues

20. Resuming operations • Respirators may be removed when 2 consecutive air samples taken at least 15 min. apart (at the site of irritation) are less than 600 ppb MITC providing handlers no longer experience sensory irritation • When wearing respirator air samples must be collected at least every 2 hours • If a handler wearing a respirator experiences sensory irritation or air sample is 6000ppb or greater then handlers must leave area • Work may resume if 2 consecutive air samples are less than 6000ppb and respirator (with new cartridges) is worn and sensory irritation is not experienced • Direct read monitoring devices such as Draeger or Sensidyne are approved

21. Site Monitoring • Ground applications: The certified applicator must be at the site, in line of sight of the application and directly supervise all handlers at all times. • Pivot applications: The certified applicator must be at the site in the line of sight of the application to start the application including set up, calibration, and start. May leave after start up but must return every 2 hours to monitor. A trained handler may perform the monitoring functions if under the supervision of certified applicator & able to be in direct communication with the certified applicator at all times.

22. Posting Requirements • Fumigant Treated Area sign: *DANGER/PELIGRO, *Area under fumigation, DO NOT ENTER/NO ENTRE, *Metam Sodium Fumigant in Use, *Date and Time of fumigation, *Date and time restricted period is lifted, *Brand name of this product and…. *Name, address, phone # of the certified applicator in charge. *Follow all Worker Protection Standards regarding location, legibility, size, timing of posting and removal.

23. What are GAPs? • Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are now mandatory label provisions. • They are practices you are already performing. • GAP’s look at Environment, soil, and equipment considerations. • We will look at the GAPs for Center Pivot & Shank applications today. • We will see how the GAPs are tied to the Fumigation Management Plans (FMP)

24. Weather conditionsFor all applications • Wind Speed for Pivot: 2-10 mph for mid, high, and end gun aps. (Low Pressure, Solid stream nozzles, up to 25 mph) • Wind Speed for Ground (and other): Min. of 2mph or forecasted to reach at least 5mph. • Do not apply if unfavorable conditions exist or are forecasted for the 48 hr. following. • Do not apply if shallow, compressed temp. inversion exists or is forecast. • Do not apply if air stagnation advisory has been issued by National Weather Service. • Preferred weather source: www.nws.noaa.gov

25. Identifying Unfavorable Weather Conditions • Unfavorable weather conditions block upward movement of air, which results in trapping fumigant vapors near the ground. The resulting air mass can move off-site in unpredictable directions. • These conditions typically exist prior to sunset and continue past sunrise and persist as late as noontime. • Unfavorable conditions are common on nights with limited cloud cover and light to no wind, and the presence can be indicated by ground fog or smog and can also be identified by smoke from a ground source that flattens out below a ceiling layer and moves laterally in a concentrated cloud.

26. Soil Conditionsfor all applications • Must be in good tilth and free of large clods • Break up hardpans • Plant residue must not interfere with ap or soil seal • Do not allow plant residue to become a “chimney” (conduit really) • Soil temp. max of 90° F @ 3 inches (depth of injection for ground aps) • If air temp has been 100° in any of 3 days prior, then soil temp must be recorded in FMP

27. Soil Conditionsfor all applications • Till to depth of application • Soil Moisture in top 6 inches 60-80% of field cap. • Moisture meter or the feel method are allowed. • In fields with multiple soil types, use the lightest texture for the moisture test

28. Pivot* Application GAPs • Use only those systems which give large water droplets to prevent excessive loss. • Meter continuously throughout the injection period all of the PRODUCT required to come in contact with the targeted pest in the treated zone. • Anti-siphon and back-flow devices must be installed and in working order • Tanks, hoses, fittings, valves must be of approved materials, serviceable, sealed and not leaking. • Systems must contain a functional check valve, vacuum relief valve, inspection port, and low pressure drain to prevent water source contamination from backflow *and lateral move systems

29. Pivot* GAPs • The system must have function interlock controls to automatically shut off the injection pump when the pivot shuts down • The irrigation system must include a functional pressure switch to stop the system when the pressure decreases when distribution is adversely affected • A metering pump such as a positive displacement injection pump equipped with system interlock must be used • Injection & Irrigation systems must be flushed after the application is complete *and lateral move systems

30. Pivot* GAPS • The injection pipeline must contain a functional, automatic, quick-closing check valve to prevent back-flow to the injection pump • The injection pipeline must also contain a normally-closed, solenoid-operated valve located on the intake side of the injection pump, connected to the system interlock to prevent fluid from being withdrawn from the supply tank when the system is shut down. *and lateral move systems

31. Ground Equipment* and Application Considerations • Do not apply or allow fumigant to drain or drip on the soil surface. • All tanks, hoses, fitting, valves and connections must be serviceable and not leaking. • Dry connect fittings must be installed on all tanks and transfer hoses. • Sight and pressure gauges must be working. *Shank, Rotary Tiller, Spray Blade.

32. Ground Equipment* and Application Considerations • Compaction with a bed-shaper, roller, press wheel, coil packer, ring packer, or similar device, OR • Covering the treated soil with 3-6 inches of untreated soil, OR • Applying a minimum of a ½-inch of water beginning immediately after application begins and completing the water treatment within four hours, OR • Covering treated area with a tarp. *Shank, Rotary Tiller, Spray Blade

34. Shank Equipment GAPs • Nozzles and metering devices must be correct size, sealed and unobstructed. • Use only tanks, hoses and fittings designed to withstand the pressure of the system and resistant to Metam. • Each nozzle must be equipped with a flow meter. • Do not use aluminum, brass, copper, galvanized iron, and zinc materials.

35. Shank Equipment GAPs • Use proper filters and a check valve that is visible to the operator to prevent backflow. • All rigs must include a flow meter or monitoring device. • All rigs must have a constant pressure system w/orifice plates to ensure proper rate is applied. • Valves, vacuum relief valves, and low pressure drains must be in place, operational and leak free.

36. Shank Equipment GAPs • Interlocking controls must be installed and functioning. • Use only positive displacement pumps. Do not use impellers made of brass, aluminum, or galvanized material.

37. Spray Blade Equipment GAPs • Do not apply or allow fumigant to drain or drip onto the soil surface • Application equipment must be in good working order. • All tanks, hoses, fittings, valves and connections must be serviceable, tightened, sealed and not leaking. • Dry connect fittings (closed transfer system) must be installed on all tanks and transfer hoses. • Sight gauges and pressure gauges must be working.

38. Spray Blade Equipment GAPs • Nozzles and metering devices must be the correct size and sealed and unobstructed. • Use only tanks, hoses and fittings designed to withstand the pressure of the system and resistant to metam. • Each nozzle must be equipped with a flow monitor, (e.g. mechanical, electronic, or Red-ball type monitor). • For undiluted product, aluminum, brass, copper, galvanized iron, and zinc materials cannot be used.

39. Spray Blade Equipment GAPs • All rigs must include a filter to remove any particulates from the fumigant, and a check valve that is visible to the tractor driver during application to prevent backflow of the fumigant into the pressurizing cylinder. • Before using a fumigation rig for the first time, or when preparing it for use after storage, the operator must check the following items carefully: - Check the filter, and clean or replace the filter element as required. -Check all tubes and chisels to make sure they are free of debris and obstructions. - Check and clean the orifice plates.

40. Rotary Tiller GAPs • PRODUCT may be applied as a broadcast application immediately in front of soil covering equipment such as bed shapers, rotary tillers, discs, etc. to a minimum depth of 6 inches using a single pass to incorporate. • Do not apply or allow fumigant to drain or drip onto the soil surface. • Dry disconnect couplings (closed transfer system) must be installed on all tanks and transfer hoses. • Application equipment must be in good working order.

41. Rotary Tiller GAPs • All tanks, hoses, fittings, valves and connections must be serviceable, tightened, sealed and not leaking. • Sight gauges and pressure gauges must be working. • Nozzles and metering devices must be the correct size and sealed and unobstructed. • Use only tanks, hoses and fittings designed to withstand the pressure of the system and resistant to metam.

42. Rotary Tiller GAPs • Each nozzle must be equipped with a flow monitor, (e.g. mechanical, electronic, or Red-ball type monitor.) • For undiluted product, aluminum, brass, copper, galvanized iron, and zinc materials cannot be used. • All rigs must include a filter to remove any particulates from the fumigant, and a check valve that is visible to the tractor driver during application to prevent backflow of the fumigant into the pressurizing cylinder.

43. Rotary Tiller GAPs • Before using a fumigation rig for the first time, or when preparing it for use after storage, the operator must check the following items carefully: - Check the filter, and clean or replace the filter element as required. - Check all tubes and chisels shanks to make sure they are free of debris and obstructions. - Check and clean the orifice plates.

44. Solid Set Sprinkler GAPs • Use only those sprinkler systems which give large water droplets to prevent excessive loss. • Meter continuously throughout the injection period all of the PRODUCT required to come in contact with the targeted pest in the treated zone. • Flush lines following injection of PRODUCT.

45. Solid Set Sprinkler GAPs • Anti-siphon and backflow prevention devices must be installed and in working order. • Tanks must be in good condition to ensure product does not spill or leak. • Tanks must have sealable covers on access ports. • Tanks must have proper pesticide label(s) affixed to them.

46. Solid Set Sprinkler GAPs • All tanks, hoses, fittings, valves and connections must be serviceable, tightened, sealed and not leaking. • Use only tanks, hoses and fittings designed to withstand the pressure of the system and resistant to metam. • Use only positive displacement pumps. Do NOT use impellors made of brass, aluminum, or galvanized material. • For undiluted product, aluminum, brass, copper, galvanized iron, and zinc materials cannot be used.

47. Solid Set Sprinkler GAPs • The system must contain a functional check valve, vacuum relief valve, inspection port, and low-pressure drain appropriately located on the irrigation pipeline to prevent water source contamination from backflow. • The pesticide injection pipeline must contain a functional, automatic, quick-closing check valve to prevent the flow of fluid toward the injection pump. • The pesticide injection pipeline must also contain a functional, normally-closed, solenoid-operated valve located on the intake side of the injection pump and connected to the system interlock to prevent fluid from being withdrawn from the supply tank when the irrigation system is either automatically or manually shut down.

48. Solid Set Sprinkler GAPs • The system must contain functional interlocking controls to automatically shut off the pesticide injection pump when the water pump motor stops. • The irrigation line or water pump must include a functional pressure switch that will stop the water pump motor when the water pressure decreases to the point where pesticide distribution is adversely affected. • Systems must use a metering pump such as a positive displacement injection pump (e.g., diaphragm pump) effectively designed and constructed of materials that are compatible with pesticides and capable of being fitted with a system interlock. • Any alternatives to the required safety devices in this label must conform to the list of EPA-approved alternative devices.

49. Drench Application GAPs • Applications must be followed immediately with 0.20 to 0.50 inches of water through solid set sprinklers. • A minimum of two more water seals must be applied; one water seal on the first evening of the application and the second on the evening of the day after application.

50. Drench Application GAPs • Anti-siphon and backflow prevention devices must be installed and in working order. • Tanks must be in good condition to ensure product does not spill or leak. • Tanks must have sealable covers on access ports. • Tanks must have proper pesticide labels affixed to them.