How should you store pesticides to prevent contaminating water sources and other chemicals?

• A. In a sunny, warm area next to food products.
• B. In a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from food, fuel, and livestock; keep containers closed and use secondary containment to catch leaks; separate incompatible materials.
• C. In a damp, unventilated area near livestock.
• D. Next to pesticide mixing equipment without secondary containment.

Answer: (B)

Store pesticides in a cool, dry, well‑ventilated area that is secure and away from anything that could be contaminated or cause a reaction. Keep all containers closed and use secondary containment to catch any leaks or spills. Also, keep pesticides separated from food, fuel, and livestock to prevent accidental contamination of those items and exposure to people and animals. Storing materials in this way reduces the risk of leaks reaching water sources and helps prevent dangerous chemical reactions with incompatible materials.

Options that place pesticides in a sunny, warm spot beside food, or in damp, unventilated areas near livestock, or next to mixing equipment without containment, increase the chances of degradation, vapor exposure, spills, and contamination of water and other chemicals, so they don’t meet safe-storage standards.