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You are in: Home » Pesticide Approvals » Commodity Substance: Sulphuric Acid

Schedule: Commodity Substance: Sulphuric Acid

Food and Environment Protection Act 1985
Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No. 1510): Approval

Date of issue: 25 July 2003
Date of expiry: 05 June 2010 (unless earlier decisions are made or further prescribed extensions are granted)

Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the powers conferred by Regulation 5 of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1510) (as amended) and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, the Secretary of State, and the Scottish Ministers (as regards Scotland) and the Welsh Ministers and the Secretary of State (acting jointly as regards Wales), have given full approval for the use of the following commodity substance: Commodity Substance: being 77% clean Sulphuric Acid.

This Approval is Subject to the Following Conditions

Field of Use

Only as an agricultural desiccant.

Crop and Dosage Restrictions

Crops	Maximum individual dose	Maximum number of treatments	Time of application
Potato (grown for canning)	800 litres substance/hectare	3 per crop See ('Other specific restrictions')	1 May – 15 November
Potato (Other)	340 litres substance/hectare	3 per crop (See 'Other specific restrictions')	1 May – 15 November
Bulbs and Corms	280 litres substance/hectare	1 per year	1 May – 15 November
Peas	220 litres substance/hectare	1 per crop	1 May – 15 November

Operator Protection

1. A written Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment must be made before using sulphuric acid. Operators should observe the Occupational Exposure Standard set out in Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance note EH40/90 or subsequent issues.
2. Engineering control of operator exposure must be used where reasonably practicable in addition to the following personal protective equipment: Operators must wear suitable protective clothing as listed below:
   1. When filling sprayer; spraying, carrying out adjustment to application equipment or cleaning equipment; re-entering the sprayed area within 24 hours : Face shield of acid resistant type; acid resistant coveralls either single or combination garment (or for persons operating bulk installations, acid proof); gauntlet gloves either natural rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, rubber boots, acid proof apron and suitable respiratory protective equipment.
   2. When re-entering the sprayed area between 24 and 96 hours : Acid resistant coveralls, gloves and boots
3. However, engineering controls may replace personal protective equipment if a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment shows they provide an equal or higher standard of protection.
4. Operators must have liquid suitable for eye irrigation immediately available at all times throughout the operation.

Other Specific Restrictions

1. Must only be used by operators holding a relevant recognised certificate of competence in the use of the equipment for the application of sulphuric acid.
2. Must not be applied using pedestrian controlled applicators or hand held equipment.
3. All equipment must be constructed of materials suitable for use with or exposure to sulphuric acid.
4. Application must be confined to the land intended to be treated.
5. Spray must not be deposited within one metre of public footpaths.
6. At least 24 hours written notice of the intended operation and the possibility of a hazard must be given to occupants of any premises and to the owner, or his agent, of any livestock or crops within 25 metres of any boundary of the land intended to be treated.
7. Before the spraying takes place, readable notices must be posted on adjacent roads and paths warning passers by and drivers of vehicles of the time and place of the intended application and possibility of hazard. Notices to be kept in place for 96 hours following treatment
8. Unprotected persons must be kept out of treated areas for at least 96 hours following treatment.
9. The maximum quantity to be applied to potatoes must not exceed 800 litres per hectare per crop.
10. Do not apply to crops in which bees are actively foraging. Do not apply when flowering weeds are present.
11. Only unused "sulphur burnt'' sulphuric acid to be used.

Advisory Notes

All users should also refer to the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) Codes of Practice 2002, Safe Use of Sulphuric Acid as an Agricultural Desiccant.