Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)

Dr. Amy Brown is the PI and the PSEP statewide coordinator. The purpose of this program is to improve pesticide applicators’ knowledge and adoption of safe use practices. Formerly known as Pesticide Applicator Training, the Pesticide Safety Education Program supports a federally-mandated program for ensuring competence of pesticide applicators. Applicators of designated Restricted Use Pesticides (products classified as especially hazardous to human or environmental health) must prove competency by passing an exam administered by the state regulatory agency. The Maryland Pesticide Safety Education Program aims to provide pesticide applicators with the most current information to help them understand and avoid adverse effects on health and the environment while utilizing pesticides as part of an overall pest management plan.

Program impacts have been numerous, with an average number of 5300 certified pesticide applicators trained per year and an average number of 5450 homeowners, farm workers, and others trained per year. Using the most conservative 5-year average, at least 3483 (74%) of certified applicators adopt at least one improved pesticide handling practice each year as a result of Maryland Pesticide Safety Education Program training. Practices adopted include: improved employees training; implemented measures to prevent environmental contamination; improved drift control measures; improved mixing techniques; upgraded storage facilities and/or procedures, including security; and developed emergency response plan. Improvement in trends measured by Maryland Department of Agriculture, include: A downward trend in cases of overuse of product (i.e., applying a pesticide at a rate higher than legally allowed); Significant reduction in the number of cases of use of a pesticide on a crop or commodity for which it is not labeled. This is also borne out by data from the Food and Drug Administration, which monitors pesticide residues in food and feed; Improved compliance with the Maryland requirement for pesticide businesses to provide customers with information on active ingredient(s), personal safety, and environmental safety.

For more information, contact Dr. Amy Brown

Last updated: 02/7/2008