Unit 2 Pesticide Labeling
- EPA Approval of Pesticide Labeling
- Classification of Pesticide Uses
- Parts of Pesticide Labeling
Learning Objectives Unit 2 Pesticide Labeling
After you complete your study of this unit, you should be able to:
- Interpret the terms "label" and "labeling."
- Identify the meaning of "Restricted Use" classification and explain where to look for it on pesticide labeling.
- Distinguish among the terms "common name," "chemical name," and "brand name" and know which to use to most accurately identify a pesticide product.
- Interpret the signal words (and symbols) on pesticide labeling.
- Know the types of hazard precautionary statements on pesticide labeling.
- Interpret the statement "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."
- Explain the pesticide user's responsibility to follow use directions and requirements contained in separate documents that, although referenced on the labeling, do not necessarily accompany the product at the time of purchase.
Test Your Knowledge Unit 2 Pesticide Labeling
Q. Explain the differences between the terms "label" and "labeling."
A. The label is the information printed on or attached
to the pesticide container. Labeling includes the label itself, plus
all other information you receive from the manufacturer about the
product when you buy it.
Q. What do the words "Restricted Use Pesticide" tell you about the pesticide product?
A. "Restricted Use Pesticide" means that the product
has been shown to be likely to harm people or the environment if it is
not used correctly. It may be purchased and used only by certified
applicators and those under their direct supervision.
Q. Where would you look to find out whether a pesticide is classified as Restricted Use?
A. If a pesticide is classified as Restricted Use, the
words "Restricted Use Pesticide" will appear in a box on the front
panel of the pesticide label.
Q. Explain the differences between chemical name,
common name, and brand name. Which of these terms should you use to
most accurately identify a pesticide product?
A. The chemical name is a complex name that identifies
the chemical components and structure of the pesticide. A common name
is a shorter name that EPA recognizes as a substitute for the chemical
name of a product. A brand name is the name - usually a trademark -
used by a chemical company to identify a pesticide product. The common
name (or the chemical name, if no common name is given) is the most
accurate and useful way to identify a pesticide product.
Q. Name and explain the meaning of the signal words and symbols you may see on a pesticide product.
A. "Caution" indicates that the pesticide product is
slightly toxic or relatively nontoxic. "Warning" indicates that the
pesticide product is moderately toxic. "Danger" indicates that the
pesticide product is highly toxic. "Poison" and the skull and
crossbones indicates that the pesticide product is highly toxic as a
poison, rather than as a skin or eye irritant.
Q. Can you use the signal word on a pesticide label to
judge the likelihood of suffering acute, delayed, or allergic effects
if you are overexposed to the product? Explain.
A. Signal words and symbols indicate the likelihood
that you will experience acute harmfuleffects if you are over-exposed.
Signal words do not tell you anything about the risks of delayed
harmful effects or allergic effects.
Q. What types of hazard statements should you look for in the pesticide labeling?
A. You should look for precautions about hazards to
humans (and domestic animals), environmental hazards, and physical/
chemical hazards.
Q. What types of precautionary statements may be included in the labeling section titled "Hazards to Humans"?
A. Acute effects precautions, delayed effects
precautions, allergic effect precautions, and personal protective
equipment requirements may be in the section of the labeling titled
"Hazards to Humans."
Q. What is the meaning of the statement: "It is a
violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent
with its labeling"?
A. It is illegal to use a pesticide in any way not
permitted by the labeling. A pesticide may be used only on the plants,
animals, or sites named in the directions for use. You may not use
higher dosages, higher concentrations, or more frequent applications.
You must follow all directions for use, including directions concerning
safety, mixing, diluting, storage, and disposal. You must wear the
specified personal protective equipment even though you may be risking
only your own safety by not wearing it.
Q. Does the pesticide label contain all the
instructions and directions for use that you need to use the product
safely and legally?
A. Some pesticide products have all the necessary
instructions and directions for use on the product label. For other
products, more instructions and directions may be in other labeling
that accompanies the product at the time of purchase. The label or
labeling of still other products may refer to separate documents that
contain specialized instructions and directions. Pesticide users are
required by law to comply with all these types of instructions and
directions - not just with the label itself.