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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