Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 21, 1994 TAG: 9406210132
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MELISSA CURTIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The pesticide disposal project, directed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, predicts it will have collected more than 160,000 pounds of pesticides from 22 localities throughout the state by the time it ends Saturday.
"The increased rural development in our valley is just one reason proper pesticide disposal is so important," John Vest, Roanoke County extension agent, said in a statement. "By cleaning up possible pesticide contamination sites, we are helping the entire community in the reduction of waste products, liabilities and potential health hazards. We will all benefit."
The program, which is free to participants, targets unwanted, unusable or banned pesticides and herbicides stored by commercial users, including farmers, nursery and greenhouse operators, lawn-care companies, pest-control firms and pesticide dealers.
Vest said the substances have accumulated because they either are hazardous or outdated. He said participants who volunteered to have them taken away saved between $4,000 and $7,000, the likely cost of hiring a private company to package, transport and dispose of the chemicals.
Elaine Lidholm, assistant director of communications for the state Department of Agriculture, said the farmers could have dumped the chemicals illegally, causing plant and animal deaths.
"The very fact they have held on to the pesticides is a real credit to the farmers," Lidholm said.
Pesticide disposal experts from Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. of Colonial Heights have visited each storage site and packaged the chemicals for transport and disposal.
Ninety-five percent of the substances will be burned at an incinerator in Georgia. Pesticides and herbicides containing heavy metals will be placed in steel drums and buried in a landfill.
Some of the compounds being disposed of include DDT, which was banned in 1972; 2,4,5-T; lead arsenate, and dieldrin.
Disposal projects in the past have not been as widespread, because of a lack of money. More pesticides were disposed of this year than in 1990, 1992 and 1993 combined, and from twice as many localities. There was no pickup in 1991.
Increased funding enabled the program to expand this year. However, pesticide users in Roanoke County may have to wait another 14 years before they can have their unwanted chemicals picked up again.
Vest said another reason why there is such a large supply of unwanted pesticides and herbicides is because retired farmers selling their farms often leave the chemicals and the responsibility of disposing of them to the new owner.
"All the farmers in the area [who participated in the program] are commended," Vest said.
by CNB