- The most common means of disposing of empty pesticide containers and left-
over pesticides was to include these items in household trash. - Many households still had pesticides whose registrations have been cancelled
by the EPA. Products containing chlordane were calculated to be present in
one million households; DDT-containing products in 150,000 households;
heptachlor in 70,000 households; and silvex in 85,000 households. - Only about 20 percent of all pesticides in the home were found to be stored in
child-resistant packaging.^24
Homeowner Awareness of Pesticide Risks
There is little public awareness and understanding of pesticide risks, as evidenced
by the ever-increasing use of pesticides on home lawns and gardens. The pursuit for
the perfect yard has driven many homeowners to increasingly use readily available,
heavily advertised pesticides, including ‘‘weed-and-feed’’ pesticides.
Risk reduction is an important factor for people who use pesticides in the home
and outdoors. Only a small percentage of the public is required to demonstrate com-
petence with regard to pesticide use for private and commercial applications. Many
homeowners use pesticides every day but are not required to possess pesticide knowl-
edge before buying and using many products. This lack of formal training can result
in overuse of pesticides, inappropriate use, overexposure, and increased waste-
pesticide disposal concerns.
Homeowners rarely read the complex instructions on product labels. While treat-
ments against some pests are important, most people have little information to help
them decide when to put others and the wider environment at risk. As much as 20
percent of pesticides are disposed of by householders pouring them down the drain.
This can pollute rivers and drinking water. It only takes one tablespoon of some pes-
ticide concentrates to breach drinking-water standards for 200,000 people.
Meanwhile, unused pesticides linger in garden sheds and kitchen cupboards for
years, presenting hazards to children, pets, and wildlife. Disposing of pesticides accu-
mulated over several years with ordinary household refuse can pose serious risks to
the environment and public health. Ordinary landfills are not designed to accept haz-
ardous waste.^25
Understanding Pesticide Disposal
Pesticides are often relegated to storage shelves because they are difficult to mix and
apply, because they are not suitable for the task at hand, or because too much product
was purchased. When pesticide use is a necessity, consumers should buy ready-to-use
products or concentrates that can be used up within a short period of time.
Unfortunately, some households dispose of leftover pesticide products by pouring
them into the sink, toilet, street, gutter, sewer, or onto the ground. Such disposal
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