Kerry Richards; University of Delaware Pesticide Safety Education Program; pesticidesafety@udel.edu
Products that contain paraquat dichloride as an active ingredient may be known to growers under many brand names, e.g., Gramoxone, Firestorm, Helmquat, and Parazone.
As of November 15, 2019, any newly packaged product MUST include the new label changes and requirements.
The best advice still remains, read and follow the label directions on the product you are using, keep product in its original packaging, and NEVER put product in any type of food container – especially a drink container.
When purchasing the newly labeled product:
- Product may ONLY be mixed, loaded, or applied by certified applicator who has successfully completed the paraquat-specific training before use
- On line training is currently available at: http://usparaquattraining.com
- Face-to-Face training will be planned in each county in Delaware during mid to late February.
- Training must be repeated every three years
The requirement for training is only one of several actions EPA has taken to prevent poisonings with new label changes including:
- Restricting the use of all paraquatproducts ONLY to applicators who are certified and have ALSO completed the EPA paraquat training
- Mixers/loaders and applicators WILL NOT be allowed to do those tasks “under the supervision” of a trained/certified applicator
- New graphics and statement on the label:
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- “DANGER-ONE SIP CAN KILL” and Skull and Crossbones symbol on the container
- A “product package safety requirements sticker” affixed to the container
- A “counter card” reiterating the same important warning information to be distributed with every container
It is also important to note that:
- EPA is allowing the sale of paraquatthat is already in the channels of trade, so some paraquat sold this growing season may NOT have the new training requirement on the label.
- If the new training requirement is listed on the label of the product they purchase, they MUST complete the training
- Growers that currently have a supply of paraquatthat DOES NOT have the new labeling listing the required training ARE NOT required to complete the training.
Next Up: Changes to Paraquat Packaging
- As soon as final decisions are made by EPA, Paraquat products in less than 120 gallon packaging will require a closed transfer system. The earliest that growers can anticipate seeing this change is in the Fall of 2020
Additional information can be found at:
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators