Oct 17, 2024North Carolina Department of Agriculture offers pesticide cleanup assistance after Hurricane Helene
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is urging farmers and homeowners to inspect their pesticide and chemical storage areas following Hurricane Helene, which brought widespread flooding and wind damage to many parts of the state.
The department is offering assistance through its Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (PDAP) to safely handle, remove and dispose of compromised pesticides.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler emphasized the need for caution when assessing damaged storage areas.
“If your pesticide or fertilizer storage area was underwater because of flooding or sustained structural damage, the materials may have been damaged, leaked, or spilled,” Troxler said. “There are safe ways to handle these chemicals. A key rule to remember is to avoid mixing different chemicals during cleanup, as this can lead to hazardous reactions.”
Guidelines
To help guide the cleanup process, the NCDA&CS provided several recommendations:
Safety precautions
Wear protective equipment such as chemical-resistant gloves, rubber boots, protective clothing and eyewear when inspecting damaged pesticide storage areas.
Containment
Assess the area and use absorbent materials to stop the spread of any spills.
Cleanup
Start cleanup efforts once the area is stabilized. It’s important to properly store damaged chemicals in a temporary location that meets pesticide storage regulations and keeps the products protected from weather exposure. Avoid placing all chemicals in one bin or container, as this can create safety concerns and increase disposal costs.
PDAP, funded by the General Assembly and the Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund, offers disposal assistance to safely remove compromised materials.
“We encourage anyone needing assistance to contact us for proper disposal guidance,” Troxler said.
To reach PDAP, visit the program’s website or contact Derrick Bell via email or phone at 919-280-1061. When requesting assistance, provide a contact name, location, phone number, and, if possible, an inventory of the products needing disposal.
For more information, visit ncagr.gov/PDAP.