Hello,
While following the formic acid discussion, I noticed the actual issue of
using formic to treat against varroa got a bit lost in the side discussions
on metric equivalents and safe handling.  These were good posts, however,
and provided some very useful information and because Allen was taken to
task a bit, I thought I would wait for his response before posting.

First, I want to start off by saying I hate using any chemicals, anywhere in
connection with beekeeping. But being a realist by nature, I know they are
necessary.  When it comes to chemicals it is usually misuse and sometimes
overuse that results in problems.  One must read and follow label directions
when using any chemical.  If we are not doing this we are no better than the
folks, who willfully misuse pesticides, that cause Dave and other beekeepers
so much heartache.

Chemicals are handled safely on a daily basis by thousands of individuals.
I have worked in the Chemical industry for over 20 years in various
functions including production, R&D, laboratory and emergency response. For
the past 12 years I have be involved in Safety.  I have conducted seminars
and training sessions on safe chemical handling.  In teaching I always
emphasize that chemicals only respect two things: KNOWLEDGE and COMMON
SENSE.  If you know and understand a chemical's properties you can handle it
safely.  Knowledge comes from learning, by reading  labels,  MSDSs, etc.
Common sense, well, who knows where that comes from and unfortunately not
everyone has enough of it.  In investigating accidents you are amazed by
what someone has done and never will understand why. This lack of common
sense is one of the reasons that the government has laws to "protect
workers".

Unfortunately gathering the knowledge is not always easy either.  If you
read two MSDSs from different suppliers for the same chemical  you may
notice striking differences, possibly some disagreement.  This is partly
because, as Allen pointed out, warning statements are becoming absurd.  Many
are written, not to inform or protect the end user, but to protect the
manufacturer.  This has become necessary because of all the ridiculous law
suits.  You have to take the knowledge you gain and use common sense to
apply it.  It doesn't take a lot of common sense to determine that if I am
mixing or using acids that are capable of splashing I should be wearing some
sort of eye protection.  There is risk associated with every job.  Yon need
to manage the risk.  Is the risk the same applying the formic acid pads as
when doing the mixing.  Probably not.   But that doesn't mean you should be
carrying them is your back pocket either.

Let me close by saying there is a real simple acid test (no pun intended) to
determine how great the risk is in something you are doing.  Don't ask
yourself, "Is this safe for me to do?".  What you really need to ask is
"Would I let my son or daughter or some other loved one do this?".  If the
answer is no, then you need to ask why and correct it.  I will not let my
son mow the lawn without wearing safety shoes (although this is done by many
in bare feet).  I explained why they were important but I told him I really
want him to wear him because I love him and I don't want to see him hurt.
He always wears them without my reminding him.

We can work with chemicals safely.  They have become a part of the life we
have come to know.  Just learn about them and use common sense.

Think safety in everything you do.  Safety never costs, it only pays.

Ron Bogansky
Kutztown, (eastern) PA, USA