Diane Relf
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Autumn
is the time to prepare a safe holding area for unused supplies
of gardening pesticides and fertilizers. Proper storage is
important for many reasons, including preservation of the
environment, protection of human health, and maintenance of
chemical efficacy. A winter storage area or facility should:
- be
secure
- be
well-ventilated
- be
well-lit when in use
- allow
materials to remain "high and dry"
- be
protected from extreme heat and cold
- be
spacious enough to allow for separation of herbicides, fungicides,
insecticides, and fertilizers
- be
enclosed in such a manner that leaks and/or spills may be
contained and cleaned without compromising the soil and
water quality in the vicinity.
The storage
area must be secure from unwanted visitors, both people and
animals! Good lighting and ventilation are important to the
personal health of the user(s) of the facility. In addition,
proper ventilation can prevent volatile chemicals from contaminating
other materials in storage. Separation of chemicals in storage
by type is additional insurance against contamination. Flammable
liquids must be stored outside living areas and away from
ignition sources. Dampness is a serious problem, as it reduces
the shelf life of many chemicals and causes metal and paper
containers to degrade. It is imperative that storage areas
be secure from flooding. Temperature extremes can also affect
product shelf life. In addition, heat increases the volatility
of stored chemicals while freezing can cause some types of
containers to rupture. If specific temperature ranges are
required for proper storage, they will be found on the product
label. Finally, the site must allow for containment of spills
and/or leaks. Ideally, clean-up materials (absorbents, water)
will be near at hand.
Chemicals
and the containers in which they are to be held must be in
good condition. Whenever possible, pesticides and fertilizers
should be kept in their original containers. In all cases,
a legible product label must be attached to the chemical container.
Never transfer excess pesticide or fertilizers to an empty
food container. Do not store pesticides with or near food,
medicine, or cleaning supplies. An updated storage inventory
allows for keeping track of what has been placed in storage
and also helps in planning purchases next season. Useful records
may include product name, active ingredient, date of purchase,
and date and volume stored.
One way
to minimize storage problems is to plan ahead, and buy pesticides
and fertilizers one season at a time. The small-volume containers
that seemed expensive in the spring may, in fact, be the "best
buy" in the long run.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Diane
Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
Originally
published by Pat Hipkins, Chemical, Drug, and Pesticide Unit,
Virginia Tech, in The Virginia Gardener Newsletter, Volume
9, Number 11.
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