EU CBRN CoE Project 61

ISEM
Sound Management of Chemicals
and their Associated Wastes
INSTITUTE
in Southeast Asia
Funded by the European Union SEACHEM
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Human and environmental effects

of mismanaged chemicals
and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

This Project is implemented by

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals
and their Associated Wastes
in Southeast Asia
SEACHEM ISEM
INSTITUTE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

Chemicals are used in every sphere of life and their production increased rapidly
in recent years. Growing knowledge of the impact of chemicals on humans and the
environment has highlighted the need for their careful management.

Pest control companies use pesticides for disinfection, disinsection, and rodent control.
These pesticides are usually of two types:
• insecticides to kill bugs.
• rodenticides to kill rodents including mice and rats.

Pests like mice, bugs, termites and rats have the potential to cause illness if not
properly controlled. Therefore, it is very important to conduct regular control of pests
to prevent harmful human and environment effects.

Pest control companies must follow safety and sanitation guidelines established by
local or state governments. They have to also develop standard operating procedures
(SOP) where these guidelines are implemented. SOPs are helpful for company
workers, because they should detail:

• the control methods,

• how to handle the tools and chemicals for pest control purposes,
• for handling pest issues.

During use (preparation or spraying) of pesticides always use protection equipment

(coveralls, mask, eye protection, chemical resistent gloves). Safety first.

Health effects of pesticides

Pesticides are toxic and every day exposure can cause health complications. Exposure
can occur in agriculture, gardening or pest control by application of pesticides and
insufficient protection of eyes, respiratory systems or the body surface.

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

Toxicity of pesticides is acute and long term.

Acute toxicity can cause harmful or lethal effects after one single incident of
ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. The symptoms are evident shortly after exposure
or can arise within 48 hours and could be present as:
• respiratory tract irritation,
• abdominal pain,
• dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting,
• skin and eye problems
• extreme weakness, seizures or death.

Long term toxicity continuous or repeated low doses can cause serious health
problems such as:
• asthma,
• cancer, including leukaemia,
• attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder,
• abdominal pain,
• infertility.

Environmental effects of pesticides

The application of pesticides can also has a negative impact on the environment.
This is particularly the case where large-scale application of pesticides by aerial
spraying causes contamination of areas outside the target of application. The use
of pesticides can contaminate soil and water resources in particular, which can also
poses a significant risk to non-target organisms such as insects, plants, fish or birds.

Storage of pesticides
Proper pesticide storage is important to protect people, animals, and the pesticide
itself. To reduce exposures to pesticides in storage the following rules apply:
• Use original container with appropriate labeling and safety cards of products,
where disposal direction, ingredients names and emergency information are
written,
• DO NOT store in unlabeled bottles

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

• Store all pesticides in well-ventilated locations and preferably locked,

• Keep pesticides away from food, animal feed and flames,
• Choose a location away from ponds, streams and drinking water wells,
• Follow requirements for temperature storage conditions.

Safety precautions
• Use only licensed and approved pesticide products,
• If possible, store small amounts of pesticide in one location,
• Buy only what you need,

• Prepare the right amount of pesticide mixture you require each day,
• use appropriate protection when working with pesticides (e.g. coveralls, mask, eye
protection, chemical resistant gloves etc.
• Dispose of unwanted pesticides properly rather then storing them.

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

Disposal of pesticides
Pesticides need to be disposed properly to prevent accidents and to protect the
environment. If you have unwanted pesticide products, store them safely and
dispose of them as soon as you can.

• Dispose of pesticides as instructed on the product label,

• Containers need to be disposed of as hazardous waste as they may contain

poisonous pesticide residues,

• If you have unwanted pesticides ensure these are taken to an appropriate

place for disposal

• Do not pour rinse water into any drain or on any site not listed on the product
label; it could contaminate the environment,

• Transport straight to the collection site once you have loaded your vehicle.
Drive carefully!

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

Chemical Hazard Classification

The Global Harmonization System (GHS) aims to harmonize the classification and
labeling systems for all sectors involved in the life cycle of a chemical (production,
storage, transport, workplace use, consumer use and presence in the environment).

The GHS classification consists of 9 classes such as Explosives, Toxic, Flammable, etc
(See picture GHS Hazard Pictograms). Based on the hazard severity, each class is
divided into the categories, where category 1 or A always designates the highest hazard
within that class.

WORLDWIDE HAZARD PICTOGRAMS

EMERGENCY CALL NUMBERS

POLICE: 191
AMBULANCE: 1669
FIRE FIGHTERS: 199
GENERAL EMERGENCY NUMBER: 191

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 EU CBRN CoE Project 61
Sound Management of Chemicals
and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia
SEACHEM

www.cbrn-project61.com

Human and environmental effects of mismanaged

chemicals and their associated wastes

PEST CONTROL COMPANIES

ISEM
INSTITUTE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

ISEMI graphic art work