§165.9  Recommended procedures for the disposal of pesticide containers and residues. 

    (a) Group I Containers.  Combustible containers which formerly contained organic or metallo-organic pesticides, except organic mercury, lead, cadmium, or arsenic compounds, should be disposed of in a pesticide incinerator, or buried in a specially designated landfill, as noted in §165.8(a);  except that small quantities of such containers may be burned in open fields by the user of the pesticide when such open burning is permitted by State and local regulations, or buried singly by the user in open fields with due regard for protection of surface and sub-surface water.

     (b) Group II Containers.  Non-combustible containers which formerly contained organic or metallo-organic pesticides, except organic mercury, lead, cadmium, or arsenic compounds, should first be triple-rinsed.  Containers in good condition may then be returned to the pesticide manufacturer or formulator, or drum reconditioner for reuse with the same chemical class of pesticide previously contained providing such reuse is legal under currently applicable U.S. Department of Transportation regulations including those set forth in 49 CFR §173.28. Other rinsed metal containers should be punctured to facilitate drainage prior to transport to a facility for recycle as scrap metal or for disposal.  All rinsed containers may be crushed and disposed of by burial in a sanitary landfill, in conformance with State and local standards or buried in the field by the user of the pesticide.  Unrinsed containers should be disposed of in a specially designated landfill, or subjected to incineration in a pesticide incinerator.

     (c) Group III Containers.  Containers (both combustible and noncombustible) which formerly contained organic mercury, lead, cadmium, or arsenic or inorganic pesticides and which have been triple-rinsed and punctured to facilitate drainage, may be disposed of in a sanitary landfill.  Such containers which are not rinsed should be encapsulated and buried in a specially designated landfill.

     (d) Residue disposal.  Residues and rinse liquids should be added to spray mixtures in the field.  If not, they should be disposed of in the manner prescribed for each specific type of pesticide as set forth in §165.8. 

§165.10  Recommended procedures and criteria for storage of pesticides and pesticide containers. 

    (a) General.  (1) Pesticides and excess pesticides and their containers whose uncontrolled release into the environment would cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment should be stored only in facilities where due regard has been given to the hazardous nature of the pesticide, site selection, protective enclosures, and operating procedures, and where adequate measures are taken to assure personal safety, accident prevention, and detection of potential environmental damages.  These storage procedures and criteria should be observed at sites and facilities where pesticides and excess pesticides (and their containers) that are classed as highly toxic or moderately toxic and are required to bear the signal words DANGER, POISON, or WARNING, or the skull and crossbones symbol on the label are stored.  These procedures and criteria are not necessary at facilities where most pesticides registered for use in the home and garden, or pesticides classed as slightly toxic (word CAUTION on the label) are stored.  All facilities where pesticides which are or may in the future be covered by an experimental use permit or other special permit are stored should be in conformance with these procedures and criteria.

     (2) Temporary storage of highly toxic or moderately toxic pesticides for the period immediately prior to, and of the quantity required for a single application, may be undertaken by the user at isolated sites and facilities where flooding is unlikely, where provisions are made to prevent unauthorized entry, and where separation from water systems and buildings is sufficient to prevent contamination by runoff, percolation, or wind-blown particles or vapors.

     (b) Storage sites.  Storage sites should be selected with due regard to the amount, toxicity, and environmental hazard of pesticides, and the number and sizes of containers to be handled. When practicable, sites should be located where flooding is unlikely and where soil texture/structure and geologic/hydrologic characteristics will prevent the contamination of any water system by runoff or percolation.  Where warranted, drainage from the site should be contained (by natural or artificial barriers or dikes), monitored, and if contaminated, disposed of as an excess pesticide as discussed in  165.8. Consideration should also be given to containing windblown pesticide dusts or particles.

     (c) Storage facilities.  Pesticides should be stored in a dry, well ventilated, separate room, building or covered area where fire protection is provided.  Where relevant and practicable, the following precautions should be taken:

     (1) The entire storage facility should be secured by a climb-proof fence, and doors and gates should be kept locked to prevent unauthorized entry.

     (2) Identification signs should be placed on rooms, buildings, and fences to advise of the contents and warn of their hazardous nature, in accordance with suggestions given in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section.

     (3) All items of movable equipment used for handling pesticides at the storage site which might be used for other purposes should be labeled "contaminated with pesticides'' and should not be removed from the site unless thoroughly decontaminated.

     (4) Provision should be made for decontamination of personnel and equipment such as delivery trucks, tarpaulin covers, etc.  Where feasible, a wash basin, and shower with a delayed-closing pull chain valve should be provided.  All contaminated water should be disposed of as an excess pesticide.  Where required, decontamination area should be paved or lined with impervious materials, and should include  Contaminated runoff should be collected, and treated as an excess pesticide.

     (d) Operational procedures.  Pesticide containers should be stored with the label plainly visible.  If containers are not in good condition when received, the contents should be placed in a suitable container and properly relabeled.  If dry excess pesticides are received in paper bags that are damaged, the bag and the contents should be placed in a sound container that can be sealed.  Metal or rigid plastic containers should be checked carefully to insure that the lids and bungs are tight.  Where relevant and practicable, the following provisions should be considered:

     (1) Classification and separation.  (i) Each pesticide formulation should be segregated and stored under a sign containing the name of the formulation.  Rigid containers should be stored in an upright position and all containers should be stored off the ground, in an orderly way, so as to permit ready access and inspection.  They should be accumulated in rows or units so that all labels are visible, and with lanes to provide effective access.  A complete inventory should be maintained indicating the number and identity of containers in each storage unit.

     (ii) Excess pesticides and containers should be further segregated to the method of disposal to ensure that entire shipments of the same class of pesticides are disposed of properly, and that accidental mixing of containers of different categories does not occur during the removal operation.

     (2) Container inspection and maintenance.  Containers should be checked regularly for corrosion and leaks.  If such is found, the container should be transferred to a sound, suitable, larger container and be properly labeled.  Materials such as adsorptive clay, hydrated lime, and sodium hypochlorite should be kept on hand for use as appropriate for the emergency treatment or detoxification of spills or leaks.  (Specific information relating to other spill treatment procedures and materials will be published as it is confirmed.)

     (e) Safety precautions.  In addition to precautions specified on the label and in the labeling, rules for personal safety and accident prevention similar to those listed below should be available in areas where personnel congregate:

     (1) Accident prevention measures.  (i) Inspect all containers of pesticides for leaks before handling them.

     (ii) Do not mishandle containers and thereby create emergencies by

     (iii) Do not permit unauthorized persons in the storage area.

     (iv) Do not store pesticides next to food or feed or other articles intended for consumption by humans or animals.

     (v) Inspect all vehicles prior to departure, and treat those found to be contaminated.

     (2) Safety measures.  (i) Do not store food, beverages, tobacco, eating utensils, or smoking equipment in the storage or loading areas.

     (ii) Do not drink, eat food, smoke, or use tobacco in areas where pesticides are present.

     (iii) Wear rubber gloves while handling containers of pesticides.

     (iv) Do not put fingers in mouth or rub eyes while working.

     (v) Wash hands before eating, smoking, or using toilet and immediately after loading, or transferring pesticides.

     (vi) Persons working regularly with organophosphate and N-alkyl carbamate pesticides should have periodic physical examinations, including cholinesterase tests.

     (f) Protective clothing and respirators.  (1) When handling pesticides which are in concentrated form, protective clothing should be worn.  Contaminated garments should be removed immediately, and extra sets of clean clothing should be maintained nearby.

     (2) Particular care should be taken when handling certain pesticides to protect against absorption through skin, and inhalation of fumes.  Respirators or gas masks with proper canisters approved for the particular type of exposure noted in the label directions, should be used when such pesticides are handled.

     (g) Fire control.  (1) Where large quantities of pesticides are stored, or where conditions may otherwise warrant, the owner of stored pesticides should inform the local fire department, hospitals, public health officials, and police department in writing of the hazards that pesticides may present in the event of a fire.  A floor plan of the storage area indicating where different pesticide classifications are regularly stored should be provided to the fire department.  The fire chief should be furnished with the home telephone numbers of (i) the person(s) responsible for the pesticide storage facility, (ii) the appropriate Regional Administrator, who can summon the appropriate Agency emergency response team, (iii) the U.S. Coast Guard, and (iv) the Pesticide Safety Team Network of the National Agricultural Chemicals Association.

     (2) Suggestions for Fire Hazard Abatement.  (i) Where applicable, plainly label the outside of each storage area with "DANGER,'' "POISON,'' "PESTICIDE STORAGE'' signs.  Consult with the local fire department, regarding the use of the current hazard signal system of the National Fire Protection Association.

     (ii) Post a list on the outside of the storage area of the types of chemicals stored therein.  The list should be updated to reflect changes in types stored.

     (3) Suggested Fire Fighting Precautions.  (i) Wear air-supplied breathing apparatus and rubber clothing.

     (ii) Avoid breathing or otherwise contacting toxic smoke and fumes.

     (iii) Wash completely as soon as possible after encountering smoke and fumes.

     (iv) Contain the water used in fire fighting within the storage site drainage system.

     (v) Fireman should take cholinesterase tests after fighting a fire involving organophosphate or N-alkyl carbamate pesticides, if they have been heavily exposed to the smoke.  Baseline cholinesterase tests should be part of the regular physical examination for such firemen.

     (vi) Evacuate persons near such fires who may come in contact with smoke or fumes or contaminated surfaces.

     (h) Monitoring.  An environmental monitoring system should be considered in the vicinity of storage facilities.  Samples from the surrounding ground and surface water, wildlife, and plant environment, as appropriate, should be tested in a regular program to assure minimal environmental insult.  Analyses should be performed according to "Official Methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC),'' and such other methods and procedures as may be suitable. 


§165.11  Procedures for disposal and storage of pesticide-related wastes. 

    (a) In general all pesticide-related wastes should be disposed of as excess pesticides in accordance with the procedures set forth in §§165.7 and 165.8. Such wastes should not be disposed of by addition to an industrial effluent stream if not ordinarily a part of or contained within such industrial effluent stream, except as regulated by and in compliance with effluent standards established pursuant to sections 304 and 307 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended.

     (b) Pesticide-related wastes which are to be stored should be managed in accordance with the provisions of §165.10.