What are signs and
symptoms of exposure
Inhalation is the most
common route of exposure.
Burning, or
irritation of the
nose or throat.
Eye irritation.
Headache,
nausea,
dizziness.
Tremors,
slurred speech,
loss of muscle
coordination.
Similar symptoms may appear with heat
stress, other chemical exposure or health
problem.
Some illustrations courtesy of Farmworker Justice Fund.
If you think you are
exposed to a fumigant
or other pesticide:
• MOVE UPWIND to an area with fresh air.
• If you believe there is an emergency, exit
the area and CALL 911.
• Call the Poison Control Center:
1-800-222-1222
• Contact your doctor, a clinic or your
employer (if job related).
• You have the right to report unsafe
work conditions without being punished
or fired. In California, call —
1-87-Pestline (1-877-378-5463)
to report a pesticide illness or file a complaint.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Pacific Southwest/Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (866) EPA-WEST
www.epa.gov/region9
O Printed on 100% recycled paper, more than 50%
post-consumer content - process chlorine-free.
What Residents in
Agricultural Communities
Should Know About
Soil Fumigants
&EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Pacific Southwest/Region 9
EPA-909-F-12-001
September 2012
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Why are we talking
about soil fumigants?
• Fumigants may be used in your
community.
• Fumigants can affect your health.
• There have been accidents where
fumigant gas drifts into nearby
neighborhoods.
• If there is an accident, people who
live or work near a treated field could
be exposed to fumigant gas.
Torn farps may lead to fumigant gas
being released into the air.
• Fumigated fields are often covered
with plastic tarps - but not every field
with plastic has been fumigated.
• When properly applied, people should
not be affected by soil fumigants.
Soil fumigants are pesticides that...
• are applied as a gas, or form a gas
shortly after application.
• are applied to soil before crops or trees
are planted.
• move through the soil killing weeds,
bugs, and plant disease.
• are applied with tractors or hand
probes, and in irrigation water or
sprinklers.
Agricultural Soil Fumigants
Chemical Name (Trade Name)
• 1,3-Dichloropropene (Telone, Inline)
• Chloropicrin (Pic-Clor, Tri-Clor)
• Dazomet (Basamid)
• Metam Sodium (Vapam, Sectagon)
• Metam Potassium (K-Pam, Sectagon)
• Methyl Bromide (Tri-Con, Terr-O-Gas,
Meth-O-Gas)
What you can do to avoi<
exposure to fumigants:
BE AWARE - if you smell chemicals,
or have symptoms, leave the area
and notify local authorities.
LOOK for posted signs.
NEVER walk through a treated field.
NEVER walk through a buffer zone.
DO NOT ENTER/
NO ENTRE
FUMIGANT.
PRODUCT_
Fumigant BUFFER ZONE
This sign marks the
edge of a buffer zone
- an area around a
field that is off limits
during the fumigant
application and for
at least 2 days after
the application is
complete.
This sign means that the
field is being fumigated.
DO NOT ENTER.
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