SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6339

BYSenators Murray and Kreidler

Requiring pesticide warning signs for residential areas.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1990

Senate Staff:Atsushi Kiuchi (786-7708)

AS OF JANUARY 15, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Application of pesticides is regulated under the Washington Pesticides Application Act.  Recently, public concerns have been raised on the impacts of pesticides on public health, water quality protection and other environmental factors.  Additional protection for people living in the residential areas from the detrimental impacts of pesticide applications is one of these concerns.

SUMMARY:

Warning signs shall be posted by all commercial pesticide applicators when pesticides are applied to residential property.  The signs shall be placed at site where they are visible from all usual points of entry to the pesticide treated area.

If there are no usual points of entry, or the treated area is next to an unfenced right of way, the signs will be posted at each corner of the treated area or any intervals not exceeding 100 feet.

The signs shall be posted 24 hours prior to the application, during the application and for at least 48 hours after the application.

The signs will be worded in English and Spanish or any other language as determined by the Department of Agriculture.  The department shall establish rules for the sign size and information on the sign to include: the pesticide applied, any warnings and safety measures, manufacturer's name, the applicator and telephone number where the information is available. 

Residential property includes any property zoned as "residential" by the city, town or county and any property within 100 feet of property zoned as residential.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 15, 1990