A woman's physique is different than a man's. Traditionally the practice with protective equipment was for a woman to purchase a size smaller for a correct fit. Since women and men are shaped differently, sizing down doesn't necessarily work. Men's shoulders are typically broader, the waist is cut higher, and the chest area requires more space. Additionally, men's garments also have a wider collar area and narrow hip. Men's hands are also typically wider, longer, and have different finger patterns than that of women. So, sizing down in PPE can lead to ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and hazardous items.   

When I was in school learning to weld, I was required to get a pair of coveralls. I sized down for the coveralls, but they were still large on me. The arms were past my fingers, and the length of the legs was very long. I rolled the cuffs and pushed up the sleeves. While welding, a spark landed on the cuff of the pants and caught the pant leg on fire. Concentrating on my welds with a shield on my face, it wasn't until the teacher grabbed me that I realized I was on fire. This could have been prevented if the ember had not landed in the cuff of the pants.   

PPE that is too big can lead to tripping hazards and exposure issues with spray particles or drift entering gaps. Gloves that do not fit properly can cause dexterity issues, fatigue, and continually grabbing and adjusting the gloves could lead to dermal exposure. Respirator fit should be considered as well. Medical fit tests are required so that you may be the best protected from inhalation exposure. We have learned a lot about masks and their ability or inability to be protective through the pandemic. Masks are also not necessarily made with a women's face in mind, so be sure to look for masks that will provide protection and comfort, Then, be sure to follow with a fit test.   

PPE is meant to protect the body from the pesticides being used, and with ill-fitting protective equipment, the risk of exposure is much greater. With more women involved in the agriculture industry, the availability of women's PPE has come a long way and is now more readily available. However, it is still not at the same accessibility, so manufacturers and employers need to continue to make it a priority to provide and create products that fit, making them comfortable to wear.  

An employer has a responsibility to protect their employees and prevent injuries. Providing PPE that fits properly is a step in that direction. Check your measurements before just ordering a size down and remember that "One size" doesn't necessarily fit all.  

Do I need a license to apply pesticides to my own land?  

Yes, but only if you choose to use a restricted-use pesticide (RUP). These products have an obvious "Restricted-Use Pesticide" statement at the top of the pesticide label. If the product is not a RUP, it is a general-use pesticide, and, as a farmer or homeowner, you do not need a license to apply it to land you own or rent. 

I farm and operate a custom pesticide application business. Which license do I need?  

If you use restricted-use pesticides on your farm, you must be licensed as a Private Applicator. You also need to be licensed as a Commercial for Hire Pesticide Applicator for your custom application business, regardless of whether the pesticides are General-use or Restricted-use. Passing the commercial general standards exam qualifies you for a private applicator license. Though, you will need to submit a separate application and licenseing fee for your private applicator license.  

Does my private applicator license allow me to spray other farmer's land? 

Yes, but with certain restrictions. Illinois law allows private applicators to apply pesticides to other property if done without compensation other than trading of personal services. Essentially, the private applicator cannot be paid for the applications. The law also limits these applications to no more than two producers of agricultural commodities. You will need a Commercial for Hire Applicator license if you receive compensation or apply for more than two producers. 

Do I need a private applicator license to apply pesticides as a hired farmhand in Illinois? 

Illinois law requires most employees to be licensed when using pesticides in the course of their employment. However, hired farm hands are not required to be licensed as they likely meet the definition of a "Handler" within the US EPA's Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Accordingly, the employing farmer will need to comply with all the requirements of the WPS. Be aware not all farm operations fall under the WPS. If you are unsure, use the The Worker Protection Standard: Does It Apply To You? tool produced by the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative, or review the How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard For Agricultural Pesticides Manual. 

There are some advantages to a farmhand being certified as a private applicator even though the law does not require it. If WPS applies to the farm operation, the employer must provide annual pesticide safety training using EPA-approved materials. Certain employees, including certified private applicators, may be exempt from the annual training requirement. The US EPA exempts certified applicators because they have demonstrated the necessary competency to use restricted-use pesticides for pest control in the production of agricultural commodities. The competency standards for certified applicators also exceed the annual pesticide safety training content requirements. In Illinois, private applicators must recertify by written exam every three years. Some farmhands and agricultural employers prefer the recertify every three years instead of training on an annual basis.  

"Each year, we see a continued need for Household Hazardous Waste collection events throughout the state. We are pleased to continue offering this important program, providing residents with opportunities to safely dispose of unwanted chemicals and potentially hazardous products," said Director Kim. "We are grateful to our local partners and co-sponsors who make these events possible throughout Illinois." 

One-day collections are open to all Illinois residents and operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Pre-registration is required for all of the spring 2022 collection events. Residents participating in these events are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, and pesticides, old or outdated medication, and similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED include latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals, and business wastes. 

For safe transport of HHW, residents are asked to: 

“Today’s action will help ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for any future PFAS contamination affecting communities,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Additionally, keeping PFAS out of consumer products certified under the agency’s Safer Choice program will help prevent potential exposures to PFAS from occurring in the first place.”  

TSCA Compliance Notification Letter to Industry on PFAS in High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Containers 

EPA notified manufacturers (including importers), processors, distributors, users, and those that dispose of fluorinated HDPE containers and similar plastics (i.e., fluorinated polyolefins) that the presence of PFAS formed as a byproduct in these containers may be a violation of TSCA. 

In an open letter Letter to Fluorinated HDP Industry, EPA outlines notifications requirements under TSCA for such PFAS. Certain PFAS, including long-chain PFAS as defined in EPA’s 2020 long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC) Significant New Use Rule (SNUR), that are found to be present in or on fluorinated polyolefins may be subject to TSCA regulations and enforcement. LCPFAC chemical substances that are byproducts of the manufacturing process for fluorinated polyolefins do not meet the requirements of the byproduct’s exemption.  This means that the uses require notice to EPA via a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA review of potential risks of this use under TSCA section 5, and a determination of whether (and under what conditions) such uses can continue. 

In March 2021, EPA made testing results available related to PFAS found in fluorinated containers. The contamination was first noted in HDPE containers used to store and transport a pesticide product. As the agency continues to determine the potential scope of the use of this fluorination process outside of its use for pesticide storage containers, EPA is issuing this letter to notify industry of their statutory obligations under TSCA and to help prevent unintended PFAS contamination.  

Under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap issued by EPA Administrator Regan in October of 2021, EPA has committed to improve approaches for tracking and enforcement of PFAS requirements in new chemical consent orders and SNURs. The released letter supports this goal by ensuring that manufacturers, processors, distributors, users, and those that dispose of these containers are aware of and are complying with the SNUR requirements. 

For questions concerning this matter, contact EPA at TSCA_PFAS@epa.gov.  

Removing PFAS from the Safer Chemical Ingredients List 

EPA will also remove two PFAS first listed on the SCIL in 2012 under EPA’s Safer Choice program to better protect consumers and ensure that products certified under this program are free from PFAS.  

EPA’s Safer Choice program is a voluntary program that helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products containing ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. The SCIL includes chemicals that meet the criteria of the Safer Choice program and can be used in Safer Choice-certified products because they have been determined to be among the safest for their functional use.  

Under the PFAS Roadmap, EPA committed to taking a fresh look at previous PFAS decisions, and, as part of this review, undertook a review of the SCIL.   

EPA’s process for removing a chemical from the SCIL is to first mark the chemical with a grey square on the SCIL webpage to provide notice to chemical and product manufacturers that this chemical may no longer be acceptable for use in Safer Choice-certified products. A grey square notation on the SCIL means that the chemical may not be allowed for use in products that are candidates for the Safer Choice label, and any current Safer Choice-certified products that contain this chemical must be reformulated unless relevant health and safety data is provided to justify continuing to list this chemical on the SCIL. The data required would be determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, data useful for making such a determination would provide evidence of low concern for human health and environmental impacts.  Unless information provided to EPA adequately justifies continued listing, this chemical would then be removed from the SCIL 12 months after the grey square designation. 

EPA initially listed these two PFAS on the SCIL in 2012 based on the data available and the state of the agency’s knowledge at the time. EPA has updated the SCIL listing for these PFAS to a grey square because of a growing understanding of the toxicological profiles for certain PFAS, and incomplete information on the potential health and environmental effects of these substances. This means that these two PFAS will not be allowed for use in new products applying for Safer Choice certification. Additionally, any existing Safer Choice-certified products that contain these two PFAS must be reformulated.  

For more information on the Safer Choice program and the SCIL, visit Safer Choice. 

Source: EPA Press Release, March 16, 2022, press@epa.gov; adapted slightly by Michelle Wiesbrook.