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Pesticides perform a valuable role
in protecting man and the environment including agricultural production
from insects, rodents, weeds, and other forms of life which may
be pest; but it is essential to the public health and pests welfare
that they be used properly to prevent unreasonable adverse effects
on man and the environment.
The Pesticide Division of the Arkansas
State Plant Board (ASPB) licenses Pesticide Manufacturers, Dealers,
Commercial Applicators, Non Commercial Applicators, and Private
Applicators and registers thousands of pesticide products sold in
the state. The Division enforces the federal pesticide law (FIFRA)
in the state under a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Much of the Division’s work is investigating
complaints of pesticide sales and misuse.
The ultimate goal of the Pesticide
Division is to fairly and equitably enforce the Arkansas
Pesticide Use and Application Act, the Pesticide
Control Act and the Regulation written pursuant thereto.
Since it is not possible for an ASPB
inspector to be present during every pesticide application, the
ASPB must depend on the citizens of this state to report any perceived
misuse of pesticides.
How to Report a
Pesticide Misuse.
Call the Arkansas State Plant State
Board at the telephone number given and ask the operator to connect
you with the Pesticide Division for the purpose of reporting a perceived
violation. In the event of being answered by a recorded message,
when prompted to enter a telephone extension, enter the numbers
210. Someone will return your call as soon as possible. The
ASPB is open for business Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a. m.
to 4:30 p. m. State agencies are closed on holidays.
When the ASPB receives a request for
investigation of a perceived violation, the request is assigned
a case file number and a field inspector. The requester will receive
a written acknowledgment of the request and other information. Please
refer to the assigned case file number in all further communications
with the ASPB.
When the investigation has been completed,
the Enforcement Officer will review the file to determine if any
violation(s) have occurred. If a violation has occurred, an appropriate
enforcement action will be taken in accordance with the Arkansas
State Plant Board Pesticide Enforcement Response Policy.
If no violation (s) are documented, the file will be closed, as
the ASPB can proceed only as far as its authority under assigned
laws allows. The requester will receive a written notice of the
resolution of the case file.
The purpose of such an investigation
is to gather evidence concerning any alleged violation of laws or
regulations. The ASPB does not determine the value of any losses.
It is recommended that in the event
of human exposure to pesticides, as quickly as practical, to remove
all clothing, including hats, undergarments, socks and foot wear.
Self determine if it would be prudent to seek medical attention.
Using soap, bathe immediately. ( If at all possible, determine from
the applicator /farmer what pesticide was involved in the human
exposure.) Call the Arkansas State Plant Board and when connected
to the Pesticide Division, report to the person answering or the
recording that a human exposure to pesticide has occurred. Expect
an ASPB inspector to respond and initiate an investigation within
24 hours of the inspector being notified of the human exposure report.
As soon as time permits, individually wrap each item of pesticide
exposed clothing in aluminum foil. It is important to refrigerate
the foil wrapped clothing.
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