Relationships of selected variables to the reported behaviors of certified private pesticide applicators in Ohio

The self-reported pesticide use behaviors of Ohio certified private pesticide applicators eligible for recertification in 1993 were described and examined to determine relationships between selected variables. A random cluster sampling approach was used for this study.;A sample of 435 pesticide applicators was used in this descriptive correlational study. Independent variables of the study included the following: acres farmed; gross farm sales in 1991; age of the applicator; educational level attained by the applicator; attitude toward the environment; attitude toward Ohio State University Extension pesticide training programs; attitude toward the pesticide label; attitude toward Ohio pesticide law; attitude toward information sources; and subject matter knowledge.;Dependent variables of the study included the following: safety equipment worn; reading (use) of the pesticide label; calibration of spray equipment; use of alternative methods of pest control; rate of pesticide used; environmental protection of water; and pesticide use at different wind speeds.;Major findings of the study included the following: pesticide applicators were wearing about 70 percent of pesticide label mandated safety apparel and equipment; pesticide applicators felt the environment should be protected under almost all circumstances; pesticide applicators calibrated their spray equipment about one time per year; pesticide applicators may not understand the concept of using alternative pest control methods; certain pesticide label signal word concepts were not well understood by applicators; pesticide applicators were in general not mixing and loading near water sources; and pesticide applicators on average read the pesticide label at the beginning of the season.