Paraquat Dichloride Training for Certified Applicators

As required by EPA’s 2016 Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision and paraquat dichloride (a.k.a. paraquat) product labels, certified applicators must successfully complete an EPA-approved training program before mixing, loading, and/or applying paraquat. The training provides important information about paraquat’s toxicity, label requirements and restrictions, and the consequences of misuse. The training was developed by paraquat manufacturers as part of EPA’s 2016 risk mitigation requirements and has been approved by EPA.

The EPA-approved training module can be accessed from either of the following two sources:

• National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC)
• Syngenta Crop Protection

Below are answers to frequent questions about the paraquat dichloride training.

1. Why are there additional training requirements to use paraquat?
2. Who is required to take this training?
3. Who is permitted to use paraquat?
4. What are the training requirements for paraquat products?
5. How does the paraquat training module differ from the certified applicator training requirements?
6. One of the label requirements is to maintain a record of the completed training. How will certified applicators show proof that they completed the required training?
7. How can a certified applicator get a copy of the record of having completed the paraquat-specific training?
8. Who is responsible if a certified applicator overlooks a label requirement, even if the paraquat-specific training covered that point?
9. Are state personnel required to conduct the paraquat-specific training?
10. Are states or other entities permitted to develop alternate paraquat training materials?
11. How can I get a list of certified applicators who have completed paraquat-specific training?

---

1. Why are there additional training requirements to use paraquat?

Between 2000 and 2016, there were 17 deaths – three involving children – caused by accidental ingestion of paraquat. These cases resulted from the pesticide being illegally transferred to beverage containers and later mistaken for a drink and consumed. A single sip can be fatal. In addition to the deaths by accidental ingestion, during the same time period there were three deaths and many severe injuries caused by the pesticide getting onto the skin or into the eyes of those working with the herbicide.

To prevent these tragedies, in 2016 EPA required several risk mitigation measures intended to prevent accidental ingestion of paraquat. One of the risk mitigation measures imposed in 2016 was a requirement for certified applicators who use paraquat to complete paraquat-specific training once every three years. The paraquat training reinforces that paraquat must not be transferred to or stored in improper containers and provides important information about paraquat’s toxicity, label requirements, and the dangers of misuse.

Thankfully, there have been no paraquat fatality reports received by EPA since the implementation of the 2016 mitigation measures.

2. Who is required to take this training?

Any person who intends to use paraquat must be a certified applicator and is required to take the paraquat training. “Use” includes pre-application activities involving mixing and loading the pesticide; applying the pesticide; and other pesticide-related activities, including, but not limited to, transporting or storing opened pesticide containers, cleaning equipment, and disposing of excess pesticides, spray mix, equipment wash waters, pesticide containers, and other paraquat-containing materials.

3. Who is permitted to use paraquat?

The use of paraquat, which is a restricted use pesticide, is restricted to certified pesticide applicators only; noncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator are prohibited from using paraquat, including mixing, loading, applying the pesticide, and other pesticide-related activities.

4. What are the training requirements for paraquat products?

To use paraquat products, you must be a certified applicator and you must take the paraquat-specific training. All paraquat labels include a link to the training. The training provides important information about paraquat’s toxicity, new label requirements and restrictions, and the consequences of misuse. The training must be retaken every three years. Although this training is a paraquat label requirement, a state may choose to approve it for continuing education. For state-specific requirements, contact your state lead pesticide agency. To find the contact information for your state lead pesticide agency, see the National Pesticide Information Center’s webpage on state pesticide regulatory agencies.

5. How does the paraquat training module differ from the certified applicator training requirements?

Pesticide applicators become certified by proving they are competent to apply or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs), generally by examination. Many states approve courses that certified applicators can take to maintain their certification. The examinations and training courses pertain to a category or type of pesticide application (e.g., agricultural plant pest control, seed treatment, structural pest control). Conversely, the paraquat training module emphasizes the importance of handling paraquat safely because of its extreme toxicity. The training highlights product-specific restrictions, including that paraquat products may only be handled by certified applicators (i.e., paraquat may not be handled by those working under the supervision of a certified applicator). For more information related to the pesticide applicator certification, visit: How to Get Certified as a Pesticide Applicator.

6. One of the label requirements is to maintain a record of the completed training. How will certified applicators show proof that they completed the required training?

Once the certified applicator successfully completes the training, a certificate will be automatically generated. As required by the labeling, applicators are required to retain certificates of training completion.

7. How can a certified applicator get a copy of the record of having completed paraquat-specific training?

Upon completion of the training, applicators will receive a record of completion via email. This record should be retained by the applicator.

Should the applicator lose or misplace their record they can request a supplemental copy. An applicator who takes the training from the NPSEC website may request a supplemental copy of the record from the “Campus Help page” here.

An applicator who takes the training through Syngenta may contact Bart Clewis at bart.clewis@syngenta.com to request a supplemental copy of the record. 

8. Who is responsible if a certified applicator overlooks a label requirement, even if the paraquat-specific training covered that point?

The intent of the training is to provide the user with the best possible understanding of paraquat product safety issues. Ultimately, it is the user’s responsibility to handle the product in strict accordance with the product labeling.

9. Are state personnel required to facilitate the paraquat-specific training?

State employees are not required to facilitate this training. The training is available online from the following two sources:

• National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC)  
• Syngenta Crop Protection

10. Are states or other entities permitted to develop alternate paraquat training materials?

States or other entities may develop alternate training materials that comply with the 2016 mitigation decision. All paraquat handler training materials must be approved by EPA. For a discussion of the requirements for the training materials, refer to the 2016 Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision.

11. How can I get a list of certified applicators who have completed paraquat-specific training?

Records of applicators who have completed paraquat-specific training are not available to EPA or the public. Each applicator who completes the training must keep a record and show it to state regulatory authorities upon request. NPSEC and Sygenta, the two current providers of the training, will provide records of the applicators who have taken the training to state regulators, upon request.