NCPERCS050 — Safe Pesticide Use
Homeowners who garden and/or maintain lawns face the issue of chemicals (pesticides; fertilizers; soil health) and how to handle them safely. Some consider all pesticides as "poisons" to be avoided at all costs; others may be cavalier in the handling and applying of such products. Both extremes ignore the fact that there is a depth of science that provides guidance to safe use of garden and lawn chemicals. We will cover the history of pesticide use, the basics of toxicology, what is risk assessment and how this informs homeowners on the use of chemicals, pesticide products, safety considerations as well as references for further review. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: knowledgeably purchase chemicals; handle these chemicals in a safe manner; store unused chemicals safely; and discard unused chemicals in a way that is environmentally friendly.