Farm Safety and Handling Agrichemicals in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Chemicals on West Michigan Farms Can Be Dangerous

Agricultural chemicals (agrichemicals) are widely used on farms throughout Kent County and the greater Grand Rapids, MI area, from dairy and livestock operations to fruit, corn, and soybean farms. Common agrichemicals include:

  • Fuels and solvents
  • Insecticides and herbicides
  • Fungicides
  • Fertilizers
  • Veterinary medicines and drenches

Farmers and agricultural workers around Grand Rapids must take care when storing, transporting, using, and disposing of chemicals to protect:

  • Their own health
  • Family members and farm workers
  • Neighbors and nearby communities
  • Local water sources, including rivers and streams that feed into the Great Lakes

Any chemical should be treated with extreme caution and only used according to the manufacturer’s label and safety instructions.

Health Risks of Agrichemicals

Vapors, mists, dusts, or direct skin contact with agrichemicals can cause both acute (short‑term) and chronic (long‑term) health effects.

Possible health effects include:

  • Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Skin rashes, irritation, and chemical burns
  • Eye irritation and damage
  • Breathing difficulties and lung irritation
  • Nervous system problems (tremors, muscle twitching, confusion)
  • Birth defects with some exposures during pregnancy
  • Liver, kidney, or lung disease
  • Increased risk of some cancers

In Michigan, all hazardous chemicals must have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and proper labeling. The SDS (formerly MSDS) explains:

  • The registered use of the chemical
  • Health effects and first aid measures
  • Safe handling and storage instructions
  • Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Spill and emergency procedures
  • Contact numbers for further information

Before using any farm chemical in the Grand Rapids area:

  • Read the label carefully
  • Review and understand the SDS
  • Consider completing a recognized chemical users course or pesticide applicator training through Michigan State University Extension or similar programs

Always Follow Usage Instructions

To reduce risks on Grand Rapids farms, consider:

  • Replacing highly hazardous chemicals with less toxic alternatives
  • Choosing safer formulations when possible (for example, pellets or granules instead of fine powders or concentrates)
  • Buying chemicals in appropriate quantities to limit storage time and waste

Agrichemicals may be available as:

  • Liquids
  • Powders
  • Granules
  • Pellets

Many higher‑risk chemicals require the user to have formal chemical handling or pesticide applicator training under Michigan regulations.

Immediate and Long‑Term Effects of Exposure

The effects of chemical exposure depend on:

  • The type of chemical
  • How much you are exposed to
  • How the chemical enters the body (swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin or eyes)

Immediate (acute) symptoms can include:

  • Chemical burns to skin or eyes
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Fine muscle twitching
  • Increased saliva, tears, or bronchial secretions
  • Skin rashes and irritation

Long‑term (chronic) effects can include:

  • Nervous system disorders
  • Lung, liver, or kidney disease
  • Birth defects (with some chemicals)
  • Increased risk of some cancers

If you notice any of these symptoms after being exposed to agrichemicals, seek medical attention immediately.

In Grand Rapids, emergency care is available at:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital (Corewell Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)

Call 911 in an emergency.

Choosing Safer Agrichemicals in Grand Rapids, MI

Before purchasing any agricultural chemical:

  • Research the chemical to ensure it is the safest and most suitable option for the job
  • Access the SDS online from the manufacturer or supplier
  • Consider environmental impact on local waterways and the Grand River, which ultimately connects to the Great Lakes

The SDS will include:

  • Recommended uses and application rates
  • Withholding periods (for harvest, milk, eggs, or slaughter)
  • Health risks and first aid instructions
  • Storage and disposal requirements

Farmers are responsible for ensuring withholding periods are followed so that:

  • Milk, meat, eggs, and crops from West Michigan farms are safe for consumers
  • Regulatory standards are met

Keep SDS documents in an accessible place on the farm and ensure all workers know where to find them.

Safe Storage of Agrichemicals

Proper storage is especially important in Michigan’s cold winters and humid summers, which can affect chemical stability and increase risks.

Safe storage tips for Grand Rapids farms:

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions
  • Keep chemicals in their original containers with labels intact
  • Do not pour chemicals into unmarked or smaller bottles
  • Store chemicals in a locked, well‑ventilated shed with floors designed to contain spills
  • Do not remove labels from containers

Separate and Organize Chemicals

  • Do not store liquid chemicals above solid chemicals (to prevent leaks from contaminating dry products)
  • Separate different classes of chemicals (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, veterinary medicines) to prevent dangerous reactions
  • Store animal feeds, seeds, and fertilizers separately from other chemicals
  • Keep PPE (gloves, respirators, goggles, coveralls) in a clean area away from chemicals
  • Store respirator filters separately from contaminated PPE, for example in a sealed zip‑lock bag or clean plastic container

Spill Preparedness

Have spill control materials ready, such as:

  • Sand
  • Soil
  • Commercial absorbents (e.g., DrySorb or similar products)

Keep a written inventory of all chemicals purchased, stored, and used. This is especially important for:

  • Firefighters and first responders in Grand Rapids
  • Insurance and regulatory compliance
  • Emergency planning for storms, floods, or barn fires

Keep Ignition Sources Away

  • Store fuels and flammable chemicals away from heaters, electrical equipment, and open flames
  • Do not smoke near chemical storage areas
  • Ensure proper grounding and bonding when transferring flammable liquids

Safe Transport of Agrichemicals

When transporting chemicals around your farm or on roads in Kent County:

  • Transport chemicals separately from food, water, animal feed, and fertilizers
  • This applies to small household or garden quantities as well as bulk farm loads
  • Never transport drums or containers of agrichemicals in enclosed vehicle cabins with the driver or passengers

Secure Your Load

  • Ensure all containers are upright, sealed, and securely tied down
  • Protect containers from heat, puncture, and tipping
  • Carry a written record (or digital log) of the chemicals being transported

Always take appropriate PPE with you in case of spills or emergencies during transport.

Safe Use of Agrichemicals on Grand Rapids Farms

Training and Equipment

  • Ensure anyone using agrichemicals is properly trained in both the chemical and the application equipment
  • Follow all Michigan and federal (EPA) regulations for pesticide use
  • Use chemical decanting kits to reduce spills and splashes while mixing chemicals

Only mix the amount of chemical needed for the task to reduce waste and storage of leftover solutions.

Ventilation and PPE

  • Mix and decant chemicals in a well‑ventilated area
  • If working in enclosed spaces (e.g., barns, storage rooms), ensure adequate ventilation and always wear the recommended PPE

PPE may include:

  • Chemical‑resistant gloves
  • Coveralls or waterproof aprons
  • Safety goggles or face shields
  • Appropriate P2 facemasks or P3 respirators with cartridges designed for the specific chemical

Always follow the manufacturer’s PPE recommendations on the label and SDS.

Protecting Non‑Target Organisms

  • Avoid spraying near neighbors’ properties, schools, churches, and public areas around Grand Rapids
  • Protect pollinators (such as bees) and non‑target plants and wildlife by following label restrictions on wind speed, buffer zones, and timing
  • Consider weather conditions typical in West Michigan—windy days off Lake Michigan and sudden rain can increase drift and runoff

Cleaning Equipment and Rinsate

After chemical application:

  • Triple rinse all application equipment according to label directions
  • Collect and dispose of rinsate (rinse water) appropriately, as it still contains low concentrations of the chemical
  • Never dump rinsate into drains, ditches, streams, or the Grand River

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and Michigan environmental regulations for proper rinsate disposal.

Safe Disposal of Agrichemicals

Proper disposal helps protect Grand Rapids drinking water, wells, and the Great Lakes watershed.

Safe disposal practices include:

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s disposal instructions for both unused chemicals and rinsate
  • Triple rinse empty containers thoroughly
  • Puncture or crush containers after rinsing to prevent reuse for other purposes
  • Return empty containers to approved recycling or disposal programs when available
  • Contact your local waste authority or Kent County Department of Public Works for guidance on hazardous waste disposal

Regularly audit your chemical storage area and safely dispose of:

  • Outdated chemicals
  • Damaged or unlabelled containers
  • Products you no longer use

Common Agrichemicals and Possible Side Effects

Common agrichemicals used on Michigan farms may include:

  • Glyphosate and other herbicides
  • Organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides
  • Fumigants (e.g., aluminum or zinc phosphide)
  • Neonicotinoids
  • Cleaning agents (alkaline and acid detergents)
  • Nutritional supplements (selenium, copper)
  • Livestock vaccines and drenches

Possible side effects of exposure:

  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Dizziness and confusion
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Fine muscle twitching
  • Increased saliva, tears, and bronchial secretions
  • Skin rashes and irritation
  • Breathing difficulty

Long‑term or repeated exposure can increase the risk of:

  • Certain cancers
  • Birth defects
  • Lung, liver, or kidney disease

Always report serious or unexpected adverse effects to your healthcare provider and follow regulatory reporting requirements.

What to Do if Someone Is Exposed to Agrichemicals

In an Emergency

  • Call 911 immediately if someone has collapsed, is having trouble breathing, is seizing, or has severe burns or eye injuries
  • If it is safe to do so, move the person away from the source of exposure
  • Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin or eyes with plenty of clean water

When seeking emergency care in Grand Rapids, if possible:

  • Take the chemical container and SDS with you
  • Tell emergency responders exactly what chemical was involved and how exposure occurred

Grand Rapids area emergency departments include:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital (Corewell Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)

Poison Help

For advice about poisoning or suspected poisoning, contact:

  • Poison Help line: 1‑800‑222‑1222 (United States, 24/7)

They can provide:

  • Immediate first aid advice
  • Guidance on whether you need to go to the emergency department
  • Poisoning prevention information

Avoid using the same chemical again if it has caused you health problems in the past. Work with your agronomist, veterinarian, or extension agent to identify safer alternatives.

Local Resources for Farm Safety in Grand Rapids, MI

Farmers and agricultural workers in the Grand Rapids area can access:

  • Kent County Health Department – public health and environmental health guidance
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – information on community health and environmental protection
  • Michigan State University Extension – training on pesticide safety and farm health
  • Local clinics and primary care providers through:
    • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)

If you are concerned about workplace safety or chemical exposure on a farm:

  • Contact MIOSHA (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration) for workplace safety guidance
  • Discuss concerns with your primary care doctor or occupational health specialist in Grand Rapids

Key Points for Farm Chemical Safety in Grand Rapids

  • Choose safer options: Replace hazardous chemicals with less toxic alternatives whenever possible
  • Follow labels and SDS: Always read and follow usage, PPE, storage, and disposal instructions
  • Store safely: Separate different classes of chemicals, keep them in original containers, and lock storage areas
  • Use PPE and safe mixing practices: Use decanting kits, mix only what you need, and wear appropriate protective gear
  • Prevent environmental contamination: Protect local waterways, wells, and the Grand River by managing spills, rinsate, and waste properly
  • Seek help quickly: If symptoms occur after exposure, seek immediate medical attention and call 911 in emergencies

By following these guidelines, farmers and agricultural workers in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area can reduce health risks, protect their families and employees, and help safeguard the local environment and Great Lakes watershed.