What are the 3 Cs of pesticide spill control?

• A. Contact, Contain, Clean Up
• B. Control, Contain, Clean Up
• C. Cease, Call 911, Contact DACS
• D. Contain, Control, Clean Up

Answer: (B)

The 3 Cs provide a quick, priority-based plan for pesticide spills: control the source, contain the spill, and then clean up the contamination. Stopping the release first is the most important step because it directly reduces ongoing exposure to people, animals, and the environment and prevents the spill from getting larger. Once the flow is halted, you can effectively contain the spill to stop it from spreading to drains, waterways, or other sensitive areas. Finally, you focus on cleaning up—removing contaminated materials, decontaminating surfaces, and disposing of waste properly to restore safety and prevent lingering hazards. Using this order—control, contain, clean up—helps minimize risk during the critical moments after a spill.