Agrochemicals
Agricultural chemicals (agrochemical) are a common component of rural communities and farms. These may include any number of products from pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers (e.g., anhydrous ammonia) to diesel fuel or disinfectant products. Many of these products can be hazardous if used inappropriately. Product labels are often overlooked but contain important information for the safe and appropriate use for agrochemical products. Safety when using these products is paramount. Additionally, some can be the target of thefts for illegal use (e.g., methamphetamine production).
Precautions must also be taken to prevent chemical accidents or spills that can affect the individual, community and environment. Prevention measures include understanding the proper use of these chemical and any safety issues involved, knowing the actions to take in the event of a chemical accident or spill, as well as implementing measures to deter theft of any agricultural chemicals.
Learn more about agrochemical safety and security to protect yourself, your farm, and community with the following resources.
Agrochemical Safety and Security Resources
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• Agrochemical on Your Farm: Safety |
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• Agrochemicals on Your Farm: Labels |
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• Agrochemicals on Your Farm: Spills (pdf, 1 page) • More Agrochemical Spill Resources |
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• Agrochemicals on Your Farm: Security
(pdf, 1 page) • More Agrochemical Security Resources |
Additional Web Resources
Document discussing what to do for in-home chemical spills and and how to prevent them from happening.
National Disaster Education Coalition
Information aimed at protecting workers applying pesticides and those working in the area that has been treated with pesticides.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences - Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension Pesticide Education Program
A script containing instructions on laundering clothing exposed to category 1 or 2 pesticides.
National Ag Safety Database (NASD), University of California
Information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oregon State University
Factsheet discusses the types and causes of pesticide exposure as well as how to prevent exposure.
Ohio State University Extension
Factsheet contains information on properly discarding pesticide wastes.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences - Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension Service Pesticide Education Program
Factsheet provides information on safely storing pesticides.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences - Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension Pesticide Education Program