Here we go again. Another new word — er-r-r term — for me to research: Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs). I found out PSEPs have been around for some time, typically under the jurisdiction of land-grant university departments of agriculture. But in October 2012, after EPA reduced funding for the programs, a National Stakeholder Team for PSEP was created. Among other things, their objectives mandate they promote awareness of PSEPs and secure funding to support the programs.
To that end, the second annual National Pesticide Safety Education Month was held this February 2019. The purpose of this specially recognized month is “to reinforce core principles of safe handling and use and to raise awareness of and support for the land-grant university PSEPs….Pesticide safety is a must, whether the applicator is an unlicensed homeowner or certified in one or more of the federal or state categories of use.” (WSSA)
Did you know?
Although you may have missed, as I did, recognizing National Pesticide Safety Education Month, I thought you’d like to know a few other things I found out through my research. For example, did you know the word pesticide actually refers to all substances used to control pests. “Pesticides are not just insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides sprayed on crops or pests. If you use insect repellents, ant baits, ‘weed and feed’ lawn products, pet flea collars, sulfur dust on your garden, disinfectant wipes, the list goes on…you are using a pesticide.” (Pesticide Environmental Stewardship)
According to the EPA, pesticide law defines a pesticide (with certain minor exceptions) as:
- Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest
- Any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant
- Any nitrogen stabilizer
National Pesticide Safety Education Month Webpage
Check out the National Pesticide Safety Education Month webpage to see how many of the twenty-four basic types of pesticides.you use. While you’re on the webpage, also check out the left-hand menu for a huge list of other pesticide safety education items.
For example, click on the link for basic pesticide safety principles or any of the links for safety information from the label.
Here’s also where you can learn how hazard, toxicity, exposure and risk management relate to the pesticide label. Or familiarize yourself with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standards and pesticide and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
There are pollinator and wildlife protection sections. Information about stewardship, and a list of federal statutes and laws as they relate to wildlife. And so much more.
So if you use pesticides, you might like to take some time to become familiar with the National Pesticide Safety Education webpage. So when you’re using pesticides for whatever reason, you’re armed with the facts about using them safely.
Note: According to the National Pesticide Safety Education website, here are all the different types of people/entitites who use pesticides. Who knew it would be such an extensive list?
PSEPs
county agents
gardeners, Master Gardeners, etc
other extension educators
government agencies
registrants
formulators
manufacturers of sprayers/nozzles/adjuvants/safety equipment
distributors
dealers
retailers [large format retailers, garden centers, farm supply, family businesses, etc]
pest management companies
commodity groups
crop advisors
farm bureaus
food and feed producers
professional societies
schools
golf courses
animal health groups
environmental protection and conservation groups
recyclers
allied national/state associations/organizations that promote science
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