Gulf Construction Online - Masa takes the safe route to pest control

Environment Protection

Masa takes the safe route to pest control

Given the increased focus on environment protection, pest control operators need to focus on effective pest treatment techniques that are safe not only to man and animal but do not have residual effects on the environment, says Dr Natalio Mercado.

01 December 2011

THE growing public awareness of the impact of pesticides on their health and the environment will, in the coming years, greatly influence pest management strategies, which need to incorporate more non-pesticidal components and low-impact pesticides.

The primary challenge for a pest management professional, therefore, will rest in maintaining a trend away from the use of pesticides with higher toxicities and long residual properties.

Environmental concerns such as ozone depletion will affect methods of pest management and with the public demanding less exposure to toxicants and pests becoming increasingly resistant to conventional pesticides, a wider range of pest management strategies will have to be implemented. Another factor for the move towards safer techniques is the threat of litigation associated with pesticide applications and misapplications.

Masa has always applied IPMS to control pests, says Dr Mercado.

The need to protect the environment poses a challenge to every section of the society – the individual citizen, the business sector and the government which, in terms of pest control, could mean the promulgation and stricter implementation of laws that will restrict selling over-the-counter pest control chemicals; protect the consumer and the end-user from health hazards; and direct that pest control measures be undertaken by licensed companies.

Each individual has a responsibility to protect the environment from any hazardous chemicals, pests, and any types of pollutants from air, land, water and chemical products such as food additives, cigarette smoke, drugs, and any other toxic substances.

Generally, the choice of pesticides used in outdoor areas is limited. So it is important to select the one that has minimal effect on the environment – that is, one that is less persistent and less likely to damage non-targets such as beneficial insects and other pollinators.

These should not be sprayed around streams, fish ponds, beehives, or pet food and water containers. Also, water-based termiticides such as Imidacloprid 30.5 per cent SC, which have no solvents, prevent evaporation and control environmental pollution.

Further measures to protect the environment include proper disposal of unused pesticides and containers. Unused or excess pesticides can be reduced by planning ahead so that just the required amount of pesticides is taken to carry out the task. Careful rinsing of the equipment will ensure the polluted water does not get into streams or any sources of water.

Empty pesticide containers should be disposed of according to the label directions and regulations set by the manufacturer. Pesticides disposal has received a lot of attention from the government, leading to strict ordinances on that front. Much of this regulation has sprung from a desire to reduce or eliminate pollution of surface waterways like ponds, lakes, streams, oceans or ground water. Empty or partially emptied pesticide containers, excess spray mixtures, dust or other final formulations can present disposal problems. After triple-rinsing, empty containers can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill or recycled through special pesticide container management programmes. Bags or other containers for powders should be thoroughly emptied and disposed of through the municipal trash disposal system.

In case of pesticide spills, the priority should be to limit the size of the spill as quickly as possible.

Cat litter or dry absorbent should be quickly thrown onto the spill to stop the spread and absorb the chemical for later disposal. Containment must come first. The cost for later replacement of these items will be minor compared to possible environmental contamination in the future.

Role of labels

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires manufacturers to place environmental precautions along with detailed directions for use on pesticide labels; if used as directed, most pesticides pose very little hazard to the applicator, people, and the environment. Using pesticides in a way other than as directed on the label can harm plants and animals, leave illegal residues and damage the environment in many other ways. Pesticides can also drift off the target area as mist or dust, move with soil particles through run-off leach down through the soil, remain as residue in crops and livestock, or evaporate and move with air currents.

The professional must be alert and avoid contamination of the environment with pesticides, ensuring that they are used only where they are needed. The best guide to the possible negative effects of a pesticide on the environment is found on the label which is made up of 11 key parts.

Some pesticides are primarily of the conventional types such as the chlorinated hydrocarbons – for instance, dichlorodivinyltrichloroethane (DDT) and chlordane – which have now been banned all over the world as they are considered bio-accumulators that build up to higher concentration in humans and animals with time and repeated exposure.

Pest control should include an inspection of the areas, identification of the pests, and the use of pesticides only in those areas where they will contact and kill the existing infestation or provide a preventive treatment for pests. Pest control operators must have knowledge of the pest that is to be controlled, the hazards of the pesticides on the environment and the procedure to correctly dispose of waste product such as pesticide containers and clean spillages.

Masa Establishment has always applied the integrated pest management system (IPMS), to control pests using chemical and non-chemical pesticides with low mammalian toxicity and environment-friendly properties. The company is a member of American Institute of Baking (AIB) International and provides a comprehensive pest management programme for food manufacturing and related establishments.

• Dr Natalio Mercado is company entomologist at the research and development department at the Riyadh-based Masa Establishment for Extermination, Maintenance & Contracting.