Reading the Product Label: Why It’s Critical Cecil Tharp MSU Pesticide Education Program Bozeman, Montana

The pesticide product label is the law!  Requirements not suggestions. Any other reasons to read the product label?

Reading the product label can help you! *It can minimize risk towards yourself or your family.

Where is the label? Labeling Add’l info provided by manufacturer - leaflets - flyers - pamphlets Attached to the container

EPA Approval for Labeling  No pesticide may be sold in the US until the EPA has approved the product. Product will not present unreasonable risk to humans and the environment

 Brand Name Trade Name Ingredient Statement

Pesticide Classification  Restricted Use Pesticides (Pesticides which may cause potential adverse effects on the environment, non- target animals or applicators)

EPA Registration Number (identifies the manufacturer, product, and distributor)

Precautionary Statements  How to protect: You Others Employees  Hazards (signal word)  Statement of Practical Treatment  PPE  Physical or Chemical Hazards

Signal Word?

Signal Words / LD50  Caution (Category IV)  You can drink the stuff Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.

PPE

Practical Treatment (First Aid)

Agricultural Use Requirements Do your workers need to suit up?

 The requirements apply to uses within areas such as lawns, golf courses, ornamental plantings, structures, aquatic areas, and rights of way.  Not all labels have non-agricultural use requirements Non-agricultural Use Requirements

Why is Tordon 22K a restricted use pesticide?

Environmental Hazard Statements

Environmental Hazard Statement  Special Toxicity Statements: Extreme hazards towards bees, fish, invertebrates, birds or wildlife.  General Toxicity Statements: Do not apply when bees are likely to be in areas Do not apply when runoff is likely to occur The use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow.

Storage and Disposal Statement

Directions for use….  Label will tell you Pests the manufacturer claims the product will control. The crop, animal, or site the product is intended to protect. The proper mixing instructions. How much to use (rate) and how often. Restrictions  Pre-harvest intervals, grazing restrictions, composting restrictions, recropping re

Sites

Beware of use restrictions!

Pesticide Labels – do’s and don’ts  You may use  lower dosages  lower concentrations  less frequent applications  on different pests  You may not use higher dosages higher concentrations more frequent applications on different site locations

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Contact Information Cecil Tharp Pesticide Education Specialist