SAFETY AND STORING DURING TRANSPORTATION OF PESTICIDES

Abstract

Every year a huge number of new chemicals are synthesized, among which a significant contribution belongs to pesticides and agrochemicals. Against the background of the flourishing of Green Chemistry, not only the production safety of synthesized chemicals is important, but also their transportation and storing. International transportation is of particular importance, since the level of chemophobia in European countries is extremely high.

Transporting pesticides, regardless of distance, always comes with risks. Any preparative form of pesticides and agrochemicals can be toxic. In the event of a traffic accident (RTA), the driver and other persons in the vehicle, as well as people outside the vehicle, may be adversely affected. Safe transportation of chemicals reduces the risk to human health and the environment. The purpose of this work was to analyze the rules for preventing undesirable consequences of accidents related to the transportation and storage of pesticides and agrochemicals on the territory of the Russian Federation. The study of the set of regulatory documents in the field of movement of chemically hazardous substances by road and rail (railway) transport was carried out on the basis of publicly available data. When studying regulatory documents, it turned out that it would not be possible to be guided only by them when transporting pesticides and agrochemicals. For example, between and within European countries, the transport of pesticides and agrochemicals is carried out according to the principles of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and the Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail. As our analysis shows, the use, in accordance with regulatory documents and recommendations, of personal protective equipment by pre-trained personnel involved in the transportation and preservation of chemicals, correct loading and placement of containers with pesticides, reduce the risk of damage  to both human health and condition the natural environment. More stringent oversight of compliance with rules and recommendations is required for the transportation of pesticides and agrochemicals. Accidents during the transportation of hazardous substances deserve special attention. It must be remembered that pesticides can have dangerous neurotoxic and delayed effects.