Update: Public Release of Pesticide Incident Data

Niranjana Krishnan, Assistant Professor and Maryland Pesticide Education Coordinator | nkrish@umd.edu @umd.edu
University of Maryland, College Park

In July 2023, the EPA posted 10 years (2013-2022) of pesticide incident data on its website. This was done to increase transparency and provide a better understanding of pesticide exposures, including exposures to vulnerable populations.

  • The published datasets allow users to access raw data on pesticide incidents such as the incident date, the reason for the report (e.g., adverse effect, product defect), and the severity of the incident. It may also include information on the location of the incident, the pesticide product, and a description of the incident. However, the EPA has not verified the raw data for accuracy or completeness.
  • The EPA received information on pesticide incidents from pesticide manufacturers, state regulators for pesticide enforcement, individual emails, the National Pesticide Information Center, and American Association of Poison Control Centers.
  • Prior to this, the EPA only provided incident information to the public when responding to requests under the Freedom of Information Act or as an incident summary during the pesticide re-registration process. The EPA will now update the data monthly going forward.
  • Below is a summary of reported pesticide incidents from Maryland (2013-2022).
Group Incidents Number of incidents Pesticides involved
Humans Mortality 3 Disinfectants hydrochloric acid and bleach and insecticide chlorfenapyr
Major effects1 10 Primarily, insecticides (mostly pyrethroids) and herbicides
Moderate effects2 160 Primarily, insecticides and disinfectants
Minor effects3 10 Primarily, insecticides and disinfectants
Domestic animals Mortality 10 Insecticide fiprinol (with methoprene) and rodenticide bromethalin
Major effects1 3 Primarily, insecticides and rodenticides
Moderate effects2 9 Primarily, insecticides and rodenticides
Minor effects3 6 Primarily, insecticides and rodenticides
Wildlife Major effects4 6 Insecticide carbofuran, rodenticide bromadiolone, and algicide copper
Minor effects5 5
Plants (incl. lawns) Major effects4 70 Primarily, herbicides (dicamba, 2,4-D, mecoprop, etc.) and insecticides (bifenthrin, malathion, deltamethrin, etc.)
Minor effects5 190
  1. Includes life-threatening symptoms or residual disability.
  2. Includes pronounced or prolonged symptoms. Usually, some form of treatment would have been indicated. Individuals can return to a pre-exposure state.
  3. Includes minor symptoms that resolve rapidly (e.g., skin, eye, or respiratory irritation).
  4. Affects many individuals (wildlife) or large acreage (plants).
  5. Affects few individuals (wildlife) or small acreage (plants).

Reference: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-posts-pesticide-incident-data-publicly

 

Pesticide Applicator Recertification Options

Erika Crowl, Senior Agriculture Agent Associate | ecrowl@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Baltimore County

Again this year we will be offering multiple ways to renew your private pesticide applicator license.

Option 1: In-person recertification trainings will be offered  on multiple dates in county Extension offices across the state. Please refer to the table below for the classes that are scheduled. Please contact your local Extension office for details and to register. Please bring your applicator certification number with you to the meeting.

As a reminder, recertification credits will also be offered at our upcoming Extension winter production meetings, such as those found on 2-3.

Option 2: Watch pre-recorded, online webinars at your own pace through our University of Maryland Pesticide Portal. Visit https://umeagfs.teachable.com/ to access the video series. These are best watched on a tablet or laptop as there are questions embedded in each video.

Option 3: Complete the Pesticide Recertification Workbook that offers a 30-question quiz. Upon the completion, you will send the quiz to the Baltimore County Extension office and you will receive a notification that you have successfully passed the quizzes and credits have been submitted to the State Department of Agriculture for your pesticide license renewal. This workbook is also approved for three (3) Delaware credits and two (2) core Pennsylvania credits.

To order your free workbook, please call the Harford County Extension office at (410) 638-3255.

For those seeking a new Pesticide Applicator License, please call your local Extension office for information regarding the next local testing opportunity.

UME Pesticide Training Meetings
Date Time Type of meeting Location Registration/Information
November 10 6-8pm Private Applicator Recertification Montgomery County (in-person) go.umd.edu/mcfall2022

(301) 590-9638

November 14 6-8pm Private Applicator Pre-Test Training Howard County (in-person) go.umd.edu/hcfall2022

(410) 313-2707

November 17 1-3 pm Private Applicator Pre-Test Training Washington County (in-person) (301) 791-1304
November 21 6-8pm Private Applicator Exam Howard County (in-person) go.umd.edu/hcfall2022

(410) 313-2707

November 21 6:30-8:30 pm Private Applicator Recertification Carroll County (in-person) (410) 386-2760
November 15 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification St. Mary’s County (in-person) (301) 475-4484
November 28 6:30-8:30 pm Private Applicator Exam Carroll County (in-person) (410) 386-2760
November 30 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Somerset County (in-person) https://go.umd.edu/SomersetRecert

(410) 651-1350

December 8 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Wicomico County (in-person) (410) 749-6141
December 15 1-3pm Private Applicator Recertification Baltimore County (in-person) (410) 887-8090
December 15 6-9 pm Private Applicator Recertification Anne Arundel County (in-person) (410) 222-3900
December 15 6-9 pm Private Applicator Recertification Anne Arundel County (in-person) (410) 222-3900
January 3 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Anne Arundel County (in-person) (410) 222-3900
January 10 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Worcester County (in-person) (410) 632-1972
January 13 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Charles County (in-person) (301) 934-5403
January 17 6-8 pm Private Applicator Exam Anne Arundel County (in-person) (410) 222-3900
January 17 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Calvert County (in-person) (301) 934-5403
February 2 6:30-8:30 pm Private Applicator Recertification Carroll County (in-person) (410) 386-2760
February 6 6-8:30pm Private Applicator Pre-Test Training Talbot County (in-person) https://pesttraining.eventbrite.com

(410) 822-1244

February 9 6:30-8:30 pm Private Applicator Exam Carroll County (in-person) (410) 386-2760
February 13 6-8 pm Private Applicator Exam Talbot County (in-person) https://pestexam.eventbrite.com

(410) 822-1244

February 16 7-9 pm Private Applicator Recertification Washington County (in-person) (301) 791-1304
March 2 1-3 pm Private Applicator Pre-Test Training Washington County (in-person) (301) 791-1304
March 6 6-9pm Private Applicator Recertification Talbot County (in-person) https://2023recert.eventbrite.com

(410) 822-1244

March 7   Private Applicator Recertification Anne Arundel County (in-person) (410) 222-3900
March 8 9-11 am Private applicator exam Harford County (in-person) (410) 638-3255
March 8 1-3 pm Private Applicator Recertification Harford County (in-person) (410) 638-3255
December 1 1-3 pm Private Applicator Exam Washington County (in-person) (301) 791-1304
March 9 1-3 pm Private Applicator Exam Washington County (in-person) (301) 791-1304
February 7 8 am-3 pm Commercial Applicator Recertification Frederick County (in-person) (301) 791-1304
April 4 6-8 pm Private Applicator Recertification Anne Arundel County (virtual) (410) 222-3900
December 6 6:30-8:30 pm Private Applicator Recertification Carroll County (in-person) (410) 386-2760
January 31 6:30-8:30 pm Private Applicator Recertification Carroll County (in-person) (410) -386-2760

 

2022-2023 Winter Crop Production Meetings

The table below lists the 2022-2023 winter crop production meetings offered by University of Maryland Extension. These meetings will satisfy private applicator recertification and nutrient management training. Some meetings are still being planned, so for the most up-to-date list and for more details, please visit:

Agriculture Extension Winter Crop Production Meetings
Pesticide and Nutrient Management Meetings
UME Winter Crop Production Meetings

Date

Time Meeting Location Contact Person(s) Registration Information/Link
November 29 4-8:30pm Southern Maryland Crops Conference and Dinner Baden Volunteer Fire Department Alan Leslie/Ben Beale/Dave Myers/Charlie Sasscer https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-southern-maryland-crops-conference-and-dinner-tickets-441122337787
November 30   Washington County Agronomy Meeting Fairplay Fire Hall Jeff Semler  
December 1 8-12pm Northern Maryland Field Crops Day Friendly Farms Restaurant Erika Crowl https://go.umd.edu/FCD2022
December 8   Commercial Turfgrass Nutrient Management Carroll Community College Suzanne Klick, Lead Technician  
December 9   Loveville Produce Auction Annual Meeting 25120 Dove Point Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Ben Beale Call St. Mary’s Extension office, (301) 475-4484
December 15   Advanced IPM Conference Carroll Community College Suzanne Klick, Lead Technician  
January 9-12   Delaware Ag Week Delaware Fairgrounds    
January 12 9-2pm Carroll County Mid-Winter Meeting Carroll County Ag Center Bryan Butler Call Carroll Extension office, (410) 386-2760
January 17 8-4pm Southern Maryland Forage Conference Calvert County Fairgrounds Ben Beale/Alan Leslie/Charlie Sasscer  
January 17-18   Maryland Arbroist Winter Day Conference Turf Valley, Ellicott city, MD Danielle Bauer, MAA  
January 18   Western Maryland Forage Conference TBD Willie Lantz/Amanda Grev  
January 19   Central Maryland Forage Conference TBD Mark Townsend/Amanda Grev  
January 24 9-3pm Lower Shore Agronomy Day Elks Lodge Pocomoke City Sarah Hirsh https://go.umd.edu/2023agday
January 26 8-12pm Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting TBD Erika Crowl Call Baltimore Extension office, (410) 887-8090
January 26   Cecil County Winter Agronomy Meeting Calvert Grange Doris Behnke Call Cecil Extension office, (410) 996-5280
February 6   Western MD Commercial Horticulture Conference Allegany County Fairgrounds Kelly Nichols/Chuck Schuster TBD
February 7   Eastern Shore Vegetable Meeting TBD Emily Zobel Dorchester Extension office, (410) 228-8800
February 9 8-4pm Southern Maryland Vegetable & Fruit Meeting Calvert County Fairgrounds, Dave Myers/Ben Beale Call Anne Arundel Extension office, (410) 222-3900
February 14 9-3pm Harford County Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting Deer Creek Overlook Andy Kness Call Harford Extension office, (410) 638-3255
February 15   Eastern Shore Commercial Pesticide Recert TBD Ginny Rosenkranz  
February 15   Mid-Shore Agronomy Meeting Caroline 4-H park Jim Lewis Call Caroline Extension office, (410) 479-4030
February 22 9-3pm Central Maryland Agronomy Update Meeting Urbana Fire Hall Kelly Nichols/Mark Townsend/Doug Tregoning Call Frederick Extension office, (301) 600-1594
February 22   Southern Maryland Landscape IPM Conference TBD Alan Leslie Eventbrite
March 3 7:30-1:30pm Queen Anne Agronomy Meeting Queen Anne County 4-H Park Jenny Rhodes https://2023QACAgronomyDay.eventbrite.com
TBD (usually mid-March) Evening Howard County Mid-Winter Ag Meeting Howard County Fairgrounds Chuck Schuster TBD

UME Nutrient Management Training Meetings

Date

Time Location Contact Person Registration
February 23 7-9pm Washington County Extension Office Jeff Semler (301) 791-1304
December 12 6-8pm Howard County Soil Conservation District (14735 Frederick Rd, Cooksville, MD 21723 Kelly Nichols go.umd.edu/hcfall2022
December 1 6-8pm Montgomery County Extension Office Kelly Nichols go.umd.edu/mcfall2022
December 15 6-9pm Anne Arundel County Extension Office Dave Myers (410) 222-3900
January 26 6-8pm Charles County Extension Office Alan Leslie (301) 934-5403
January 25 6-8pm Calvert County Extension Office Alan Leslie (301) 934-5403
March 6 6-9pm Talbot County Ag Center Shannon Dill (410) 822-1244, https://2023recert.eventbrite
March 7 6-9pm Anne Arundel County Extension Office Dave Myers (410) 222-3900
February 23 1-3pm Harford County Extension Office Andrew Kness (410) 638-3255
April 11 6-8pm Anne Arundel County (virtual) Dave Myers (410) 222-3900
December 8 6:30-8:30pm Carroll County Extension Office Bryan Butler (410) 386-2760
March 1 6:30-8:30pm Carroll County Extension Office Bryan Butler (410) 386-2760

 

2021-22 UMD Extension Winter Crop Meetings

University of Maryland Extension is excited to host local, in-person meetings along with Statewide virtual meetings for the 2022 production season!

If for any reason we are unable to host meetings in- person due to COVID-19 cases and/or more restrictions are set in place, we will host meetings virtually.

Contact your local extension agent for more details: https://go.umd.edu/agagents

AGRONOMY MEETINGS

IN-PERSON

  • Southern Maryland Agronomy Meeting: Nov. 30, 2021
  • Washington County Agronomy Meeting: Dec. 1, 2021
  • Northern Maryland Field Crops Day: Dec. 2, 2021
  • Carroll County Winter Farm Meeting: Jan. 13, 2022
  • Cecil County Agronomy Meeting: Jan. 18, 2022
  • Harford County Agronomy Meeting: Feb. 15, 2022
  • Caroline County Agronomy Meeting: Feb. 16, 2022
  • Tri-County Agronomy Meeting: Feb. 23, 2022
  • Queen Anne County Agronomy Meeting: March 4, 2022

VIRTUAL

  • Statewide Agronomy Meeting: February 3, 2022

For more information visit: extension.umd.edu/resource/row-crop-and-forage-production-meetings

FOOD SAFETY MEETINGS

IN-PERSON

  • Produce Safety Rule Training: December 8, 2021

 VIRTUAL

  • Produce Safety Rule Training: January 26-27, 2021

FORAGE MEETINGS

VIRTUAL

  • Forage Conference: January 25-27, 2022

VEGETABLE & FRUIT MEETINGS

IN-PERSON

  • Crop Sustainability & IPM Workshop: Dec. 16, 2021
  • Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting: Jan. 27, 2022
  • Southern Maryland Vegetable & Fruit Meeting: Feb. 10, 2022
  • Western Maryland Fruit Meeting: Feb. 10, 2022
  • Eastern Shore Vegetable Growers Meeting: Feb. 16, 2022
  • Crop Sustainability & IPM Workshop: March 8, 2022

VIRTUAL

  • Statewide Vegetable Meeting: February 8, 2022
  • Statewide Fruit Meeting: March 1, 2022

For more information visit: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fruit-and-vegetable-grower-meetings

URBAN AG MEETINGS

IN-PERSON

  • Urban Farmer Winter Meeting: January 22, 2022

VIRTUAL

  • Urban Farmer Winter Meeting: January 24, 2022

 

Download the flyer here

 

Maryland Private Pesticide Applicator Exam

September 17, Easton, MD

Maryland Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam

Sept 17, 2020, 9-noon and 1-4 pm

Talbot Agriculture Center, 10659 Hiners Ln, Easton, MD 21601

Testing to take place under the pavilions, 10 individuals allowed under each pavilion

Testing spots are first come first serve. Participants wait in their vehicle until there is a space available for them at one of the tables.

University of Maryland Extension and Maryland Department of Agriculture will offer the Pesticide Private Applicator Exam. You can arrive at any point during that block of time however only 10 people will be allowed under the pavilion at one time. Others will need to wait in their vehicle until a space opens. You are asked to bring your own pencil and calculator (you CANNOT) use your cell phone as a calculator.

Sign Up: https://go.umd.edu/Sep17EastonPestExam

Please sign up so that we have an estimate on the number of exams to provide.

Study materials ($10) – If you need the study materials you can contact your local Extension office https://extension.umd.edu/locations

 

Optional certification training

September 9, 6-8pm, Online

Register: https://go.umd.edu/Sep9pesticidereview

Safety measures: The event will be outdoors with a maximum of 10 people under the pavilion. Each individual will sign in and be directed to their own table in order to complete the exam. Masks and social distancing will be maintained. The table and any supplies will be wiped down before the next individual sits down.

COVID-19 policies are in effect. If you sign up for this program, you are agreeing to have your temperature taken, maintain social distance of at least 6 feet apart for others, not gather in groups greater than 10 people, and bring and properly wear a mask at all times. There will be a form for tracing purposes for you to fill out and sign when you arrive. Please do not attend the event if you are sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms (CDC symptoms list: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea). You will be required to leave if you do not follow these procedures.

Any questions please contact the Talbot County Extension Office at (410) 822-1244 or email sdill@umd.edu.

 

Changes on the Use of Chlorpyrifos

Adapted from Maryland State Horticulture Society Newsletter

After several years of debate in Annapolis to ban the use of this product in Maryland, the final decisions was made to allow the phase out of this product. The manufacturer will discontinue production of this product. Instead of an outright ban, MDA has developed the phase out process which is listed below. This can be found on page 442 of the Maryland Register, Volume 47, Issue 8 dated April 10, 2020.

.02 General Requirements for Applying or Recommending Pesticides.

A.—D. (text unchanged)

  1. Restrictions on Use of Insecticides that Contain Chlorpyrifos.

(1) Aerial Applications Prohibited. A person may not conduct an aerial application of any insecticide containing Chlorpyrifos in the State.

(2) Other Applications Generally Prohibited After December 31, 2020.

(a) Except as provided in §E(2)(b) and (c) of this regulation, after December 31, 2020, a person may not apply an insecticide containing Chlorpyrifos or seeds that have been treated with Chlorpyrifos in the State for any use.

(b) Fruit Trees and Snap Bean Seeds. Until June 30, 2021, a person may use an insecticide containing Chlorpyrifos or seeds that have been treated with Chlorpyrifos in the State to treat snap bean seeds and the trunks and lower limbs of fruit trees. After June 30, 2021, such applications are prohibited unless authorized by the Secretary under §E(2)(c) of this regulation.

(c) Limited Particular Use Authorization. After December 31, 2020, a person may file a written application with the Department requesting authorization to use an insecticide that contains Chlorpyrifos or seeds that have been treated with Chlorpyrifos for a particular use. If the Secretary has determined that there are no effective alternatives for the particular use noted in the application, the Secretary may authorize such use for a specified period of time, which may not extend beyond December 31, 2021.

(3) Establishment of Committee. The Secretary shall establish a committee, with members appointed by the Secretary, to determine alternatives to using Chlorpyrifos or seeds that have been treated with Chlorpyrifos, which shall dissolve on December 31, 2021.

This allows the use of this product as listed above. Please note the important dates. Until June 30, 2021, a person may use an insecticide containing Chlorpyrifos or seeds that have been treated with Chlorpyrifos in the State to treat snap bean seeds and the trunks and lower limbs of fruit trees. After June 30,2021, such applications are prohibited unless authorized by the Secretary under §E(2)(c) of this regulation. Use these products carefully .

 

EPA Releases Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection During COVID-19

This original announcement was published by the EPA on June 1, 2020. Click here for more.

There is no higher priority for EPA than protecting the health and safety of Americans, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency. EPA has heard from states and stakeholders about Personal Protective Equipment shortages in the agricultural sector. To respond to these reports and to help ensure the health and safety of America’s farmers, EPA is providing temporary guidance regarding respiratory protection requirements for agricultural pesticide handlers. Our guidance aligns with recent OSHA memos on respirators while addressing EPA’s responsibilities under FIFRA and the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS).

Additional Information

The temporary guidance outlines approaches to address the unavailability of required respiratory protection and respiratory fit testing that should first be exhausted before considering any alternative options. Options include:

  • Use alternative NIOSH-approved respirators offering equivalent or greater respiratory protection than those required on the pesticide label;
  • Hire commercial applicator services with enough respirators and respiratory protection capabilities;
  • Opt to use agricultural pesticide products that do not require respirators; or
  • Delay pesticide applications until another compliant option is available.

If the above options are exhausted, EPA’s guidance provides additional options with strict terms, conditions, and exhaustion requirements to minimize potential incremental risks to workers:

  • Reuse and extended use of disposable N95 filter facepiece respirator;
  • Use of “expired” respirators;
  • Use of respirators certified in certain other countries or jurisdictions meeting protective conditions outlined; or
  • Delay the annual respirator “fit test.”

This is a temporary policy. EPA will assess the continued need for and scope of this temporary guidance on a regular basis. To read the guidance in full and to learn more about EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, visit this webpage.

 

MDA Announces Dates for Pesticide Container Recycling Program

Reposted from Maryland Department of Agriculture press release

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Regulation Section has announced 2020 dates and locations for its pesticide container recycling program. Each regional location will offer multiple recycling dates from June through September. This free program allows farmers, certified applicators, and other pesticide users to recycle used plastic containers at no cost.

“In addition to providing an alternative option for disposal of pesticide containers, this program helps prevent pesticide residues from reaching soil and local waterways while diverting material away from landfills,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “I want to thank the Agricultural Container Recycling Council for its continued support as we enter the program’s twenty-seventh year. I encourage anyone with empty pesticide containers to take full advantage of this free, convenient program.”

Maryland’s pesticide container recycling program is a partnership between federal, state and local agencies and private industries. The program is free and open to all agricultural producers and pesticide applicators. The Agricultural Container Recycling Council provides a chipper to grind the used plastic containers into flakes, which are then transported to a contractor for recycling. The containers collected in Maryland have yielded nearly 1 million tons of recyclable plastic flakes.

A schedule of collection dates and locations is available on the department’s website (and pictured below). All recycling events will be subject to requirements of emergency orders related to COVID-19. All patrons and staff should wear cloth face coverings and follow best practices established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health.

For additional information, or to schedule a chipping date at your site, contact the department’s Pesticide Regulation Section at (410) 841-5710.

PPE Shortage for Pesticide Applicators Due During COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Amy Brown, Pesticide Education Coordinator
University of Maryland, College Park

The American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators (AAPSE) have been discussing appropriate and legal options when applicators cannot access protective masks required by label directions due to COVID-19-related shortages. One solution is that it is legal and safe to use more, but not less, protection than is required by the pesticide label, so applicators can use a more protective style of respirator or face mask if available. The National Institute on Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) is working on a guidance statement/document on this problem. I am keeping track of discussions and will distribute that information and any other guidance as soon as it is issued.