Safely Using Agriculture Chemicals

Objective 9.02 Discuss key signal words and safety precautions on pesticide labels. Discuss key signal words and safety precautions on pesticide labels.

Understanding Pesticide Labels The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) mandates label language and standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for interpreting labeling standards and ensures that they are followed The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) mandates label language and standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for interpreting labeling standards and ensures that they are followed The Label is the Law. “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.” The Label is the Law. “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.”

Understanding Pesticide Labels Required label information that must be on the label which is on or ‘securely attached’ to the container Required label information that must be on the label which is on or ‘securely attached’ to the container

Reading a Pesticide Label   Restricted Use Pesticide Statement (if applicable)   General pesticides   Purchased and applied by the general public   Restricted pesticides   Purchased by a licensed certified applicator only.   It may be applied by or under the direct supervision of a licensed certified applicator   Includes the trade, brand or product name   Example is Ortho   Ingredient Statement – name and percentage by weight of each active ingredient and percentage by weight of other inert ingredients

Reading a Pesticide Label   KOOROC Statement – hazard statement “Keep Out Of Reach Of Children” on almost all end-use products   Signal word – appear on front panel of the label and are determined by the most severe toxicity category the pesticide meets or by the presence of methanol at a greater level than 4%   Danger   Warning   Caution

Signal Words Danger (not all danger pesticides have skull and crossbones) Danger (not all danger pesticides have skull and crossbones) It is highly toxic in at least one category – orally, dermally, through inhalation and/or causes severe eye or skin burn It is highly toxic in at least one category – orally, dermally, through inhalation and/or causes severe eye or skin burn Toxicity category I – from a few drops to less than a teaspoon may be lethal if swallowed (oral toxicity) Toxicity category I – from a few drops to less than a teaspoon may be lethal if swallowed (oral toxicity)

Signal Words Warning Warning Is moderately toxic in at least one category – orally, dermally, through inhalation, and moderate eye and skin irritation Is moderately toxic in at least one category – orally, dermally, through inhalation, and moderate eye and skin irritation Toxicity category II – from one teaspoon to a tablespoon may be lethal if swallowed (oral toxicity) Toxicity category II – from one teaspoon to a tablespoon may be lethal if swallowed (oral toxicity)

Signal Words Caution Caution Is slightly toxic to relatively non-toxic orally, dermally, or through inhalation, or causes slight eye and skin irritation Is slightly toxic to relatively non-toxic orally, dermally, or through inhalation, or causes slight eye and skin irritation Toxicity category III – from one ounce to over a pint may be swallowed before being lethal (oral toxicity) Toxicity category III – from one ounce to over a pint may be swallowed before being lethal (oral toxicity)

Skull and Crossbones Symbol When you see a Skull and Crossbones Symbol and the word Poison (written in red) When you see a Skull and Crossbones Symbol and the word Poison (written in red) Only found on pesticides identified as Category I Toxicity (most deadly) Only found on pesticides identified as Category I Toxicity (most deadly) Based on at least one acute toxicity rating for acute oral, acute dermal, or acute inhalation, or contains more than 4% methanol Based on at least one acute toxicity rating for acute oral, acute dermal, or acute inhalation, or contains more than 4% methanol

Reading a Pesticide Label   First Aid Statement – statement of practical treatment states what to do if a person swallows or is poisoned by spilling the chemical on the skin   This section will also have the toll free phone number for the National Pesticides Information Center   Net contents/Net weight – measure of contents

Reading a Pesticide Label   EPA Registration Number and EPA Establishment Number – identifies the facility that produced the product   Allows for tracking products   Company Name and Address – identifies who produced or registered the product

Reading a Pesticide Label  Precautionary Statements including:  Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals – identifies the particular route and rate of exposure as well as precautions  First Aid – for various routes of exposure  Environmental Hazard – indicates that the product may have undesirable effects in the environment (non-target organisms) especially to wildlife such as bees, fish, and birds  Physical or Chemical Hazard – informs individuals of specific fire or explosion hazards

Reading a Pesticide Label   Directions for use – including mixing and application for various pests. Tells how to legally use and how the product must not be used and includes information about the site, pest(s) controlled, application method, rate of application, and timing of application   May Include Worker Protection procedures   PPE – personal protective equipment   Examples : masks, coveralls, respirators, gloves, safety glasses or goggles, rubber boots   Reentry time may be in this section as well – how much time must pass before reentering a treated area   Storage and Disposal instructions   Warranty Statement

General Information  Referral Statement to Directions for Use in booklet, if any (supplemental labeling)  “Securely attached” means the label can reasonably be expected to remain affixed during the foreseeable conditions and period of use  General Environmental Statement states to watch for run off, avoid applying on windy days and keep pesticides out of storm water sewer drains

Pesticide Safety The most important rule in pesticide safety is to read and follow all directions on the pesticide label because all other rules are included in this one The most important rule in pesticide safety is to read and follow all directions on the pesticide label because all other rules are included in this one

Pesticide Labels

Choosing Pesticides North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual May be purchased from NC State University May be purchased from NC State University May be viewed online at: May be viewed online at:

Pesticide Classification General Use General Use Can be purchased and applied by the general public Can be purchased and applied by the general public Restricted Use Restricted Use Can be purchased by a license certified applicator only, but may be applied by or under the direct supervision of a licensed certified applicator Can be purchased by a license certified applicator only, but may be applied by or under the direct supervision of a licensed certified applicator Unclassified Unclassified Pesticides are those that do not meet minimum requirements to be included in general use pesticides Pesticides are those that do not meet minimum requirements to be included in general use pesticides

Types of Pesticides Insecticide – kills insects Insecticide – kills insects Herbicide – kills unwanted plants Herbicide – kills unwanted plants Selective herbicides kill specific weeds or plants Selective herbicides kill specific weeds or plants Non-selective herbicides kill all plants with which they come in contact Non-selective herbicides kill all plants with which they come in contact Fungicide – controls fungi Fungicide – controls fungi Others – rodenticides, molluscicides, etc. Others – rodenticides, molluscicides, etc.

Pesticide Forms of Substance Dust – most contain low percentage of active ingredient with dry, inert carrier made from talc, chalk, clay Dust – most contain low percentage of active ingredient with dry, inert carrier made from talc, chalk, clay Wettable powder – (dry – sprayable) - a solid pesticide formulation – micronized to powder form and typically applied as suspended particles after dispersion in water Wettable powder – (dry – sprayable) - a solid pesticide formulation – micronized to powder form and typically applied as suspended particles after dispersion in water Fumigant – gases, Methyl bromide is banned, extremely deadly and harmful to environment Fumigant – gases, Methyl bromide is banned, extremely deadly and harmful to environment Liquid – includes Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC), Solutions (S), Ready-to-use Low Concentration Solutions (RTU), Ultra- Low Volume (ULV), Flowables (F)/Liquids (L) Liquid – includes Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC), Solutions (S), Ready-to-use Low Concentration Solutions (RTU), Ultra- Low Volume (ULV), Flowables (F)/Liquids (L) Granular – large pieces of pesticide (baits) Granular – large pieces of pesticide (baits)

REMEMBER!! SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION WHEN WORKING WITH ANY PESTICIDE. SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION WHEN WORKING WITH ANY PESTICIDE. MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY RULE IS ‘READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS’. ALL THE RULES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ONE RULE! MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY RULE IS ‘READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS’. ALL THE RULES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ONE RULE!