Farmers in Chatham-Kent were encouraged to bring in banned,
de-registered, inactive or otherwise unwanted agricultural pesticides for
proper disposal through Operation Farm Sweep. This was a ONE-TIME
ONLY event hosted by the Rondeau Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Program
(RBWRP) and The Friends of Rondeau Park.
... and it was ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
Operation
Farm Sweep was a great success! The event, organized by the Rondeau
Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Program (RBWRP) to provide an opportunity
for farmers to dispose of banned, deregistered, inactive or otherwise unwanted
agricultural pesticides, received an overwhelming response from the Chatham-Kent
farming community. Approximately 4 109 litres (904 gallons) of liquid pesticides
in 762 containers and 924 kg (2 037 lbs.) of solid pesticides in 289 containers
were collected from about 108 vehicles for proper disposal. The wastes
were packaged into 79-45 gallon drums and 2-60 gallon drums. An additional
4-45 gallon drums were brought in by farmers along with one container of
Cyanogas (calcium cyanide). Some of the pesticides were estimated to be
40 to 50 years old and included such deregistered "dirty dozen"
chemicals as DDT, Toxaphene, Chlordane and Aldrin. These substances were
banned due to their negative health and/or environmental effects. They
are persistent chemicals, meaning that they remain in the environment for
a long time, and they bio-accumulate or build up in living organisms. All
have been targeted by the federal governments of Canada and the United
States for virtual elimination. The collection also included Calcium, Copper
and Lead Arsenate; Lindane; Endosulfan and three glass jugs of a 6% Mercury
solution.
This DDT Barn Spray was 1 of 13 containers of DDT collected at Operation Farm Sweep.
The first truck arrived at 7:10 a.m. for a 9 a.m. event and the line-up grew quickly from then on. Vicki McKay, Program Coordinator said "The farmers that participated are to be thanked for their patience and their humour. Many waited in line for over four hours just to dispose of their pesticides." As well, all farmers in Chatham-Kent who have collected and stored their pesticides over the years, waiting for an opportunity like this, are to be commended for their actions.
Amongst the farmers, the most commonly discussed topics were that agricultural hazardous waste collections should be done on a regular basis, chemical companies should take back banned and de-registered chemicals, they should give farmers the option to purchase chemicals in smaller quantities or from bulk so that farmers can purchase the exact quantities needed and that they should have a program in place to take back excess amounts. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming response, some farmers had to be turned away. The RBWRP started planning and fundraising for Operation Farm Sweep 14 months ago. A total of $30 800 was raised during that time for pesticide disposal. The event, which was originally planned to finish at 4 p.m., was temporarily shut down between 2 and 2:30 p.m. to determine disposal costs to that point. It was determined at that time that the disposal costs were already overbudget.
With every last penny of the RBWRP's contingency funds, $120 in donations from the farmers who attended the event and a $350 donation from one of the event’s volunteers, two more 45 gallon drums were opened and a selective collection consisting of the most detrimental pesticides like DDT and Aldrin was done from the remaining farmers. At the end of the day, the project’s allowable disposal costs were exceeded by about $1 500.
There were concerns by some farmers that the pesticides collected were not made available for other farmers to take if they felt they could be used. This was necessary to ensure that the RBWRP would not be held liable for crop damage which could potentially arise from the application of chemicals that may not have been stored in their original, properly labeled containers.
For those farmers who were turned away, the RBWRP thanks them for being responsible enough to bring their chemicals to the disposal day. The group requests that farmers put their chemicals back into storage and call their local councilor to let them know that there is a strong need for the safe disposal of agricultural hazardous wastes in Chatham-Kent. In the meantime, the RBWRP will be working toward achieving regular municipal collections in the future. You can help by signing petitions that have been distributed to local farm groups and dealerships. These petitions should be returned to the RBWRP by January 31, 2000.
Operation Farm Sweep Collection Summary...
# = # of containers collected
* pesticides registered in Canada and considered to have hormone-disrupting effects (from World Wildlife Fund. Avoiding Hormone-Disrupting Pesticides)
Liquids...
| Liquids | # | Litres |
| unknown | 73 | 344 |
| basagran | 37 | 287.75 |
| assist | 34 | 203.5 |
| lice control | 2 | 200 |
| lorox L | 20 | 142.5 |
| lasso | 12 | 135 |
| difolatan | 7 | 120 |
| round-up | 17 | 117 |
| treflan* | 19 | 98.5 |
| bravo 500 | 8 | 80.5 |
| DDT | 3 | 12 |
| toxaphene | 1 | 4 |
| aldrin | 1 | 2 |
| chlordane | 1 | 0.5 |
| alachlor | 1 | 4 |
| 2,4-D* | 18 | 74.3 |
| pardner* | 13 | 64.5 |
| thiodan 4EC* | 8 | 50 |
| malathion 500* | 12 | 46 |
| sencor 500* | 9 | 22.5 |
| embutox* | 4 | 20 |
| sevin* | 3 | 15 |
| 2,4-D ester 600* | 2 | 12.5 |
| lannate* | 2 | 12.5 |
| methoxychlor* | 5 | 12.5 |
| lexone DF* | 8 | 11 |
| lindane* | 1 | 10 |
| rival* | 3 | 8.75 |
| lorsban 4E* | 2 | 5.75 |
| secor/sevin/gasagard* | 1 | 5 |
| cymbush 250* | 5 | 3 |
| fusilade II 125 | 2 | 3 |
| endosulfan 400* | 1 | 2.5 |
| fusilade* | 1 | 2.5 |
| lexone L* | 1 | 2.5 |
| trifluralin* | 1 | 2.5 |
| ambush 500* | 3 | 1 |
| lexone* | 1 | 1 |
| sencor 75* | 1 | 1 |
| pounce* | 1 | 0.25 |
| atrazine | 10 | 44.5 |
| guthion | 8 | 52.23 |
| TCA | 2 | 10 |
| TDE | 1 | 10 |
| diazinon | 3 | 6.5 |
| organophosphate | 2 | 4 |
| gramoxone | 4 | 3.75 |
| octylphenoxypolyethoxy ethanol | 1 | 1.89 |
Solids...
| Solids | # | kg |
| unknown | 18 | 129.73 |
| ridomil 25 w | 33 | 54.46 |
| lasso | 3 | 42.7 |
| mangosel | 1 | 40 |
| edge | 4 | 31 |
| ammonium sulphate | 2 | 30 |
| dyfonate 20G | 2 | 30 |
| bayleton 50 WP | 2 | 30 |
| magnesium sulfate | 1 | 25 |
| phygon | 2 | 24 |
| DDT | 10 | 9.1 |
| aldrin | 3 | 1.23 |
| bladex* | 6 | 12.25 |
| dithane DG* | 1 | 10 |
| dithane m 45* | 2 | 8.8 |
| benlate* | 5 | 8.23 |
| lindane* | 8 | 7.31 |
| 2,4-D | 4 | 6.68 |
| dithane* | 3 | 6 |
| temik* | 1 | 6 |
| sevin* | 5 | 5.14 |
| malathion* | 1 | 5 |
| endosulfan* | 1 | 4 |
| sencor 500* | 2 | 3.25 |
| thiodan* | 2 | 3 |
| sevin 50* | 2 | 2.81 |
| lexone df* | 1 | 2 |
| orthene* | 1 | 2 |
| thiodan-zineb* | 1 | 1.81 |
| lannate* | 2 | 0.68 |
| captan-benomul* | 1 | 0.5 |
| thiodan 50 w* | 1 | 0.5 |
| thiodan zineb 5* | 1 | 0.5 |
| manzate* | 1 | 0.45 |
| atrazine | 4 | 14 |
| cyanogas | 2 | 2 |
| calcium arsenate | 2 | 8 |
| copper arsenate | 1 | 2 |
| lead arsenate | 1 | 0.23 |
| guthion | 2 | 1.68 |
| rotenone | 2 | 2.5 |
| TCA | 1 | 20 |
| diazinon | 2 | 3.27 |
These tables represent a fraction of the pesticides collected during the November 20 Operation Farm Sweep. The first 10 in each list (unshaded) represent the pesticides collected in the largest quantities. Those shaded have been banned or are no longer used in Canada due to health or environmental concerns. DDT, Chlordane, Lindane, Aldrin and Dieldrin are all known, probable or possible carcinogens. DDT in particular has been linked to breast cancer. Studies indicate that on average, the blood of breast cancer patients contains 35% more DDE (produced during the breakdown of DDT) than that of healthy women. In addition, it has been found that women with the highest DDE levels in their blood were four times more likely to have breast cancer than the women with the lowest levels. Chlordane has been linked to leukemia and certain childhood cancers. 2,4-D, also known as Ded-Weed, Lawn-Keep, Weedone, Plantgard, Miracle and Demise, has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Arsenic is a known human cancer-causing agent. Malathion and Parathion are part of a group of synthetic chemicals known as organophosphates. These chemicals were first developed during the second world war as nerve gases for use in German death camps. Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, acts like the hormone estrogen. It stimulates breast cancer cells to divide and multiply. The other products that have been starred in the list are pesticides, still registered in Canada, which are considered to have hormone-disrupting effects. In other words, these chemicals mimic the hormones in our bodies (and those of other animals) or they interfere with the proper functioning of those hormones.
References…
Why
Have an Agricultural Pesticide Hazardous Waste Day?...
Pesticide containers can leach toxic
substances into the environment. These substances can have detrimental
effects on the health of fish and wildlife populations and constitute a
water quality concern to communities and individuals who draw their drinking
water from Lake Erie, the Thames River and Lake St. Clair. This includes
an estimated 18 775 households and businesses, including 51 693 residents
in Chatham-Kent. Much of the remaining population, an estimated 47 177
people with the exception of Wallaceburg, tap into ground water through
wells. These people may also be at risk. In the U.S. corn belt, there are
growing concerns over herbicide contamination of groundwater in shallow
aquifers. Although chemical concentrations may be below detection levels
or standardized levels of concern, the long-term chronic health effects
are not well understood.
The pesticides listed below are no longer registered for use in Canada.
| Chlordane | DDT | Aldrin |
| Dieldrin | Endrin | Heptachlor |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Toxaphene | Alachlor |
These substances are persistent, remaining in the environment for a long time, and bio-accumulate or build up in living organisms (Environment Canada 1998). With the exception of Alachlor, all have been identified as toxic substances and put on the fast track for virtual elimination through the federal government’s 1995 Toxic Substances Management Policy. These same substances are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Canada recently signed an agreement with 33 European and North American countries to limit emissions of these substances. In addition, negotiations are underway with over 100 countries to develop a global agreement to control POP emissions under the United Nations Environment Program (Environment Canada 1998).
Other agricultural chemicals, although they may not be banned, may no longer be recommended for use and/or may no longer be registered for use through the voluntarily actions of manufacturers. Additionally, pesticides can separate or become otherwise inactive through improper storage for their given agricultural application. In other cases, farmers simply may not have a need to use a particular pesticide in the future. These chemicals too, present potential hazards to the environment and our health. Although no causes have yet been pinpointed, recent newspaper headlines indicated that Chatham-Kent was a "heart attack death hot spot". Studies have shown the area to have the highest death rate from heart problems in all of Ontario - over 64% above the provincial average (Chatham-Kent Chapter, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario).
At this time, yearly disposal events and permanent local collection depots for pesticides are not available to farmers.
Benefits…
Operation Farm Sweep will stimulate community action
to safely and properly dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides from
Chatham-Kent. In addition, information and expertise available through
the on-site event tent will increase awareness of safe pesticide handling,
ways to reduce wastage and many other topics. This translates into improved
water quality and healthier aquatic areas and wetlands. Reduced stresses
on fish and wildlife will help to ensure the continued existence of the
many animals that are found in the area, including numerous rare, threatened
and endangered species. These actions will help to rebuild the ecological
integrity and long-term sustainability of Lake Erie’s (including Rondeau
Bay), lower Thames River’s and Lake St. Clair’s significant ecosystems
for the benefit of the environment and future generations. Increased recreational
opportunities are likely to result from a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing
recreational areas. This leads to local economic benefits. In addition
to safeguarding of the environment, proper disposal of all banned, deregistered
and other unwanted agricultural chemicals is important to protecting the
health of the Chatham-Kent community and the Great Lakes population.
Reducing
Pesticide Wastage...
The following guidelines will help you to minimize
the amount of unwanted chemicals that accumulate on your property:
Plan Ahead...
Purchase the amount of chemicals required for one
growing season and mix only what is needed to complete each job.
Rinse...
Triple rinse or pressure rinse empty pesticide containers
and return the rinsate to the spray tank. This saves money by using all
of the product in the container.
Recycle...
Plastic and metal pesticide containers, 20 litres
or less in size, can be recycled through the Ontario Pesticide Container
Recycling Program. For further information, contact Future Farm
Supply at 519-866-3446 or contact your local Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs office.
Rotate Pesticide Stock...
Store unused pesticides according to the label instructions.
Use the stored pesticides first during the next season.
Product Exchange...
If you have pesticides that you don’t need, give
them to a LICENSED applicator who can use it.
Proper Disposal...
Take advantage of Operation Farm Sweep and
other collection days. Many landowners and farmers, like you, can and have
helped to maintain a strong, healthy environment both for ourselves, wildlife
and future generations by properly disposing of your agricultural hazardous
wastes.
Safe
Transportation Tips…
The following guidelines were suggested for safe
transportation of agricultural pesticides to Operation Farm Sweep:
Event tent…
Everyone was also invited to visit the Operation
Farm Sweep event tent at the R.M. Classic Cars Inc. property just behind
the Harwich Township Transfer Station to speak with group, organization
and agency representatives and to pick up information on topics like:
The following groups, organizations and agencies were at the Operation Farm Sweep event tent.
Additional information was provided by groups including:
This page was developed by Greg McMath, John Galbraith &
Vicki McKay
Last revised January 10, 2000