Farm Chemical Lab Safety

Farm labs are stocked with a variety of specialized and, at times, hazardous, chemicals that must be handled appropriately to ensure the safety of the farm as well as those handling the materials.

Types

• Farm chemicals are generally those related to the composition of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and the care of animals. The most common farm chemicals include tryquat, strychnine, methyl bromide, pyrethroids, cresol, aluminum phosphide and organophosphate pesticides available in pellet, powder, liquid and granule form.

Dangers

• Exposure to farm chemicals can create short- and long-term effects. The degree to which an individual is affected depends on the chemical and amount or type of exposure. Dangers of exposure include immediate symptoms such as nausea, headaches, skin rashes and burns but may also be more long-term and invasive such as in the case of chemical-induced cancer, liver, kidney or lung failure, and nervous system deterioration.

Prevention/Solution

• Safety protocols for farm lab chemicals involve safe storage, transportation, use and disposal of chemicals. Consulting the material safety data sheet (MSDS) provided by manufacturers and distributors of the chemicals can provide a basic understanding of material and allow for proper consideration of the most appropriate safety measures in the lab.