Removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) formulations from noncombustible pesticide containers

The procedures for removing retained amounts of 2,4-D formulations in a water miscible and a paraffinic solvent base from 5, 30, and 55 gal metal drums so that the detoxified metal containers could be disposed by conventional methods or reclaimed for nonfood usage are investigated. Generally, the 2,4-D in these formulations was persistent against removal by the aqueous and organic solvent washing treatments, but 95-99% of the retained formulations were apparently removed from the containers. Considering the low mammalian toxicity of 2,4-D, this is probably an adequate efficiency.