Environmental Protection, Spills and Emergency Response
Fate and pathways
Pesticides leave the target through drift (wind, small droplets, high pressure), volatilization, runoff, leaching to groundwater, and bioaccumulation in organisms. Structural risks concentrate around floor drains, sumps, sewer connections, wells, watercourses, and around children, pets, food, feed and beneficial insects including pollinators.
Prevention: apply only to labelled sites, keep product away from drains and watercourses, cover or remove food and water, ventilate, respect re-entry intervals, dispose of rinse water properly (never to a storm drain), and store products in original labelled containers in a secure area.
Spill response
Use the sequence stop – contain – absorb – clean – report. Stop the source if it is safe; protect yourself with the PPE named on the label and SDS; keep people and pets back; ventilate; contain with absorbent socks, sand or kitty litter; pick up and place waste in a labelled, closed container; decontaminate the area and equipment; then dispose of waste lawfully.
In Ontario, spills that may enter the natural environment must be reported promptly to the Ministry's Spills Action Centre (1-800-268-6060, 24 hours) and to the municipality and property owner as required, and the client must be informed. Keep a spill kit on every vehicle: absorbent, bags, PPE, broom, container, and a copy of the SDS.
Traps: assuming a small spill needs no report; rinsing residue into a floor drain; leaving bait stations accessible to children or pets; forgetting that fogging can drift into neighbouring units.
Rule of thumb: if a spill can reach a drain, soil or watercourse, treat it as reportable and call immediately.