Herbicides Safety

Herbicide is a powerful and effective method for controlling weeds and unwanted plants. Usually, herbicides are sprayed over crops or areas of urban development to either target specific plant varieties, or to kill all plants within an area. A lot of herbicides are harmless to humans, and pose little threat to life, but some do cause poisoning an irritation if handled improperly. Knowing the safety precaution required when using herbicide can keep problems from arising.

Handling

• When handling herbicides, it is important to heed safety precautions. Always wear gloves and safety goggles while moving, pouring, or otherwise handling herbicides. Wear as much protective clothing as possible, to limit exposure to the skin. Do not drink or smoke while handling herbicides. Once finished using herbicide mixture, wash your hands. When discarding herbicides, make sure to dispose of the material according to local environmental guidelines.

Storing Herbicide

• To safely store herbicides, put unused material into a steel, aluminum, plastic or fiberglass receptacle. Do not use galvanized steel or mild steel, as the herbicide reacts with the material in a hazardous manner. Keep the stored herbicide away from food and places where children can gain access.

Fire

• If the herbicide you are using is flammable, check the package warnings before use. Some herbicides need to be extinguished by different methods. Generally, extinguishing a fire made by herbicides can be done with water, foam, CO2, or dry chemical compounds. You must use a self-contained breathing apparatus when extinguishing a fire made by herbicides, as inhalation can be lethal.

Contact with eyes

• If an herbicide has come in contact with your eyes, hold your eye open and flush it with with water for 15-20 minutes. If you have contact lenses in, take them out after the first five minutes of flushing the eye. If in doubt, call a poison control center. Herbicides can cause irritation of the eye, and in extreme cases, damage to the cornea.

Contact With Skin

• If contact with the skin is made, take off any clothing that may have been saturated by the liquid. Rinse the skin with water for 15-20 minutes. Extended exposure to herbicides can cause skin irritation, such as redness and itching.

Ingestion

• If the herbicide happens to be ingested by the user, call a doctor or poison control center for treatment options. Different herbicides have different levels of toxicity, and will be neutralized in a variety of ways. In almost all cases, it is suggested that you offer the victim a glass of water to drink. Never induce vomiting unless you have been instructed to do so by the poison control center, or a doctor.

Inhalation

• If the herbicides you are using has been inhaled, move the person who has inhaled the mixture into a well ventilated area. If the victim has stopped breathing, it is important that you call an ambulance before performing CPR. If possible, have someone else contact a poison control center. It is important to always use masks when spraying herbicides.