&EPA
March 2012
EPA 735-F-12-008
United States
Environmental Protection
Soil Fumigant Mitigation Factsheet:
Worker Protection Measures
EPA is requiring important new safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides to increase protections for
agricultural workers and bystanders ~ people who live, work, or otherwise spend time near fields that are
fumigated. These measures are for the soil fumigants chloropicrin, dazomet, metam sodium/potassium,
and methyl bromide.
This fact sheet summarizes new requirements to protect fumigant handlers and other workers from
fumigant exposures.
Handler activities on
labels
On-site supervision and
training
To address risks to fumigant handlers and workers, EPA is requiring:
A clear description of handler activities on labels
All persons performing the following handler activities at any time must be
trained and equipped as handlers in accordance with the requirements in the
WPS (40 CFR Part 170):
• Monitoring fumigant air concentrations;
• Cleaning up fumigant spills (this does not include emergency
personnel not associated with the application);
• Handling or disposing of fumigant containers; and
• Cleaning, handling, adjusting, or repairing the parts of application
equipment that may contain fumigant residues.
All persons performing the following handler activities in the application block
during the application until the entry restricted period ends and in the buffer
zone during the buffer zone period must be trained and equipped as handlers in
accordance with the requirements in the WPS (40 CFR Part 170):
• Participating in the application as supervisors, loaders, drivers, tractor
co-pilots, shovelers, cross ditchers, or as other direct application
participants;
• Installing, repairing, operating, or removing irrigation equipment;
• Performing scouting, crop advising, or monitoring tasks;
• Installing, perforating (cutting, punching, slicing, poking), or removing
tarps; and
• Repairing or monitoring tarps until 14 days after application is
complete if tarps are not perforated and removed during those 14 days.
On-site supervision and training
• Direct, on-site supervision by certified applicators during most
fumigant applications
• New training for certified applicators who supervise fumigant
applications
• New training information for other handlers.
Soil Fumigant Mitigation: Worker Protection Measures
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Respiratory protection Respiratory protection requirements
requirements • Handlers must either stop work and leave the area or use air-purifying
respirators if they experience sensory irritation (this does not apply to
methyl bromide formulations with less than 20% chloropicrin)
• For methyl bromide formulations with less than 20% chloropicrin.
handlers must wear air-purifying respirators during handling activities
• Air monitoring while handlers use respirators to ensure concentrations
do not exceed the upper working limit of respirators
• All handlers who will wear a respirator must be fit-tested, trained, and
medically examined to ensure they do not have health problems such
as a heart condition that could make use of a respirator dangerous
• An air purifying respirator with the appropriate cartridges must be
available for each handler who will wear a respirator.
Tarp perforation and Tarp perforation and removal requirements
removal requirements • If tarps are used, they may not be perforated until at least 5 days (120
hours) have elapsed after the application is complete unless a weather
condition exists that necessitates early removal
• Tarp removal may not begin until at least 2 hours after tarp perforation
is complete and tarp removers must follow respiratory protection
requirements
o For methyl bromide, air monitoring with direct-read
instruments is required before tarp removal can begin
• If tarps are not removed, planting may not begin until at least 48 hours
after tarp perforation is complete
• If tarps are left on the soil for at least 14 days after the application is
complete, planting may begin when the tarps are being perforated
• Tarps must be perforated using mechanical methods (e.g., all-terrain
vehicles with cutting implements) except for small areas (less than 1
acre), at the start of a row, and during flood prevention activities.
Entry-restricted period Entry-restricted period requirements
reauirements * Entry into treated fields (including early entry that would otherwise
be permitted under the WPS) by any person other than a trained and
equipped handler is prohibited from the start of the application until
o 5 days (120 hours) after application is complete for untarped
applications, or
o After tarps are perforated and removed if tarp removal is
completed less than 14 days after application, or
o 48 hours after tarp perforation is complete if they will not be
removed at least 14 days after the application, or
o 5 days (120 hours) after application is complete if tarps are
not perforated and removed 14 days after the application is
complete.
Soil Fumigant Mitigation: Worker Protection Measures
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Entry Restricted Period by Scenario
If the application
is[ ]
1.
2.
3.
4.
Untarped
Tarped
Tarped
Tarped
and Tarp is
r i
Perforated and
Removed
Perforated BUT
NOT Removed
Perforated and/or
Removed
T 1 days after
application is
completed
Within 14 days
Within 14 days
More than 14 days
workers may
enter [ 1
5 days after application is
complete
After tarp is removed
48 hours after tarp
perforation is complete
5 days after application is
complete
For additional information, please see EPA's Soil Fumigant Toolbox, www.epa.gov/oppsrrd 1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/.
Soil Fumigant Mitigation: Worker Protection Measures
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