24.6 Use of Personally Owned Pesticides
24.2 Pest Prevention #
Building occupants can help by reporting to the Building Manager pest sightings, cleaning problems, and maintenance issues and by identifying and correcting habits that may contribute to a pest problem. Examples include:
- Open windows only if there is a screen to keep pests out
- Do not prop open outside doors
- Rinse food and beverage containers before recycling
- Store snacks and other food in pest-proof containers
- Discard food remnants in appropriate waste containers
- Discard old bird seed and other stored grain products
- Minimize clutter such as used paper bags and corrugated cardboard in your workspace
- Do not place animal feeders near buildings. NOTE: Bird feeders, etc. also attract pests to the buildings
24.3 Setting Threshold Levels #
Threshold levels determine when pest management controls should be applied. The threshold levels are set by Building Managers and Pest Management Professionals, which are as follows:
| Threshold levels | Definition |
| Upon Complaint | Some areas such as offices and waiting rooms might be inspected only upon complaint. Appropriate recommendations for cleaning or repair should be made, and when necessary, controls should be implemented. |
| Monitored Areas | Areas such as food storage and preparation areas and dishwashing areas should be monitored and inspected on a routine basis. Recommendations for cleaning or repair should be made, and controls implemented as necessary. |
| Preventative Treatments | Certain key areas might require preventative treatment. These areas should first be inspected and recommendations for cleaning or repair should be made. |
24.4 Pest Management #
Pest Management Inspections #
Periodic inspection of the facility will help identify conditions that allow pests into the building, provide access to food and water, and provide hiding places or harborages.
Pest Monitoring #
Sticky traps and lures can be useful in determining the pest species, location, density, and routes of entry. They may be useful in or around food and animal feed storage rooms, food preparation areas, waste storage and recycling areas, and other areas where pests have been sighted.
Selection of Control Methods #
Non-chemical controls are often effective and should be considered in any IPM program. These may include, but are not limited, to structural repair; the installation of air curtains, screening, or electrocution grids; and the use of vacuum cleaners, light traps and live traps, guillotine mouse traps, glue boards, or biological controls. If necessary, chemical controls are determined by pest management professionals.
Notification #
Pest management professionals must, upon completion of a pesticide application in a public building, health care facility, or childcare facility, inform occupants of the application via email or post a sign (sample below) at the primary point of entry.
Recordkeeping #
The pest management professional is responsible for maintaining records of pesticide applications. These records must include:
- Location of pests and/or conditions conducive to pest infestation
- Date of application
- Target pest(s)
- Name, quantity, and location of pesticide(s) used
- Recommendations to the building manager
- Name of applicator and emergency phone number
Evaluation #
The building manager and pest management professional should jointly periodically review the IPM plan to determine if objectives have been met and revise as needed.
24.5 Cholinesterase Testing #
All pesticide applicators using cholinesterase inhibiting pesticide products in their work environment are required to participate in the Medical Surveillance Program.
- The Medical Surveillance Program consists of an initial baseline blood sample collection prior to exposure to organophosphate and carbamate containing pesticide products.
- Then additional samples will be collected following application of any of these types of products to assess cholinesterase activity, as noted on the Pesticide Policy.
- The sample collection must occur within 48 hours application or potential exposure.
Cholinesterase Inhibiting Pesticide Products #
Cholinesterase inhibiting pesticide products include but are not limited to:
- Dursban Granules
- Empire, Killmaster II
- Musca-cide Fly Bait
- Orthene, PT 470 Regulator
- Safrontin
- Sevin
- Ficam
- Malathion
Process #
The medical monitoring will consist of an initial baseline blood sample collected prior to application of cholinesterase inhibiting compounds. This will establish a baseline value for cholinesterase activity in plasma and red blood cells. Consideration must be given to work activities prior to employment with the University.
After establishing a baseline value, routine testing will be conducted within 48 hours of applying organophosphate or carbamate products. The results of this testing will be compared to the baseline value.
If an overexposure has occurred, a decline in cholinesterase activity will be evident in the plasma before it is evident in the red blood cells. When the exposure stops, the plasma activity will restore at a faster rate than red blood cell activity. The guideline for overexposure values has been set at 70% of the baseline value for red blood cells and 60% of the baseline value for plasma. If these levels are reached, workers shall be restricted from applying the organophosphate pesticides until both the plasma and red blood cell activity levels return to 80% of baseline.
The medical clinic conducting the testing will provide the results of the testing to Environment, Health & Safety (EHS). Then EHS will provide the written results to the Departmental Contact within 10 days of receipt for distribution to the employee.
Testing Information #
Employees should report to the Occupational Health Services (OHS) clinic on a walk-in basis with the Cholinesterase Testing Referral Form within 48 hours of use of any organophosphate or carbamate containing pesticide product to have a blood sample collected to measure their cholinesterase activity. No appointment is necessary. NOTE: During the employee’s annual Medical Surveillance Physical, the employee’s blood will not be drawn, unless there has been an application of organophosphate or carbamate products within the previous 48 hours.
24.6 Use of Personally Owned Pesticides #
As a general rule, U-M employees should NOT use, or bring to work, personally owned pesticides on the job or on U-M property. As part of an IPM Program, the University is required to track and account for the types and amounts of pesticides used. Workers are allowed to bring in small amounts of personally owned pesticides for use on their own body and clothing (e.g., insect repellant), but this should not be shared between workers. All other pesticide use shall be in accordance with the above program.
24.7 Program Audit #
Annually perform an audit of the program using the Pesticide Audit Worksheet located in the Supporting Documents header of this program
