1. Bell Work What is the difference between an herbicide and a fungicide?
Week of Monday, Feb. 2 – Friday, Feb. 6
Monday, Feb. 2
What is the difference between an herbicide and a fungicide?

2. Pesticide Safety: Labels, Toxicology & PPE
Plant Science
AAEC – Paradise Valley
Spring 2015

3. What is a Pesticide?

4. Pesticides Defined: Any substance or mixture of substances, intended for preventing, destroying, or mitigating any pest, or intended for use as a plant growth regulator, defoliant or desiccant. (FIFRA – Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
Technically includes biocontrols and plants bred for pest resistance. Common usage excludes these.

5. Types of Pesticides

6. Mode of Action Examples
Broad Spectrum -- Kills broad range of pests, usually refers to insecticides, fungicides, and bactericides
Contact Poison -- Kills by contacting pest
Disinfectant (Eradicant) -- Effective against pathogen that has already infected the crop
Germination Inhibitor -- Inhibits germination of weed seeds, fungus spores, bacterial spores.
Nonselective -- Kills broad range of pests and/or crop plants, usually used in reference to herbicides
Nerve Poison -- Interferes with nervous system function
Protectants -- Protects crop if applied before pathogens infect the crop
Repellents -- Repels pest from crop or interferes with pest’s ability to locate crop
Systemic -- Absorbed and translocated throughout the plant to provide protection
Stomach Poison -- Kills after ingestion by an animal

7. Classification by Timing
Annual Crops
Seed Treatment -- Pesticide coats or is absorbed into the seed.
Pre-Plant -- Pesticide applied any time before planting
At-Planting -- Pesticide applied during the planting operation
In-Furrow -- In the planting row, direct contact with crop seed
Side-Dress -- Next to the row, no direct contact with crop seed
Broadcast -- Distributed over the soil surface.
Pre-Emergent -- Before the crop has emerged from the ground
Post-Emergent -- After the crop has emerged from the ground
Lay-By -- Final operation before harvest sequence
Perennial Crops
Dormant -- Applied during winter dormancy
Bud Break -- Applied as dormancy is broken
Harvest-Related Timing
Pre-Harvest -- Just before crop is harvested
Post-Harvest -- After crop is harvested

8. Labels/Labeling* Label – on or attached to container
Labeling – label plus other manufacturer information
*must be approved by and registered with EPA

9. Labeling Includes: Label Brochures Flyers Product Info Etc.
Must not differ from info furnished to EPA when product was registered

10. Label = Instructions Describes risks and benefits of the product
Primary source of information to user
Information tells how to use product safely and correctly
Primary tool of pesticide regulation
Must be approved by and registered with EPA

11. Understanding the Label
Very important! Understand the potential dangers and keep out of the reach of children.
Read before you buy to be sure you are buying the right product for the job.
It is important to keep products in the original container in case of accidental poisoning so you can follow the first aid instructions and have the list of ingredients available to give to poison control.
Buy the proper amount so you can avoid storage, and dispose of container and left-over product properly.

12. Pesticide Use Classifications
Restricted Use – may cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment or humans, even if used as directed.
Unclassified – usually no adverse effects if used as directed.

13. Why Restricted Use? Acute toxicity (humans, birds, mammals)
Oncogenicity (tumors in laboratory animals)
Groundwater concern
Other concerns

14. Restricted Use Designation
“RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE”
always in a box at top of the front panel on the pesticide label

15. Trade Name/Ingredients Statement
Active
Ingredients
Common &
chemical name
Inert Ingredients
Dissolve active ingredient or affect how product works
(may contain synergist, spreader, etc.)

16. Product or Trade Name

17. Types of Formulations*
Water-miscible liquids
Water-soluble powders
Oil solutions
Soluble pellets
Ultralow-volume concentrates
Fogging concentrates
Dusts
Aerosols
Granular
Fumigants
Impregnating materials
Baits
Microencapsulated
Other slow-release formulations

18. Indicate potential hazard
Signal Words on Labels
Indicate potential hazard

19. Signal Words *with skull/crossbones/POISON = acute illness
DANGER* - highly toxic
WARNING – moderately toxic
CAUTION – slightly toxic
*with skull/crossbones/POISON = acute illness
*without skull/crossbones/POISON = skin/eye irritation potential

20. Signal Words on Labels
_____________________________________________________ Category Signal word required Approximate amount on label needed to kill an average person Highly Toxic DANGER A few drops to one (1) POISON teaspoon Moderately toxic WARNING one teaspoon to one (2) ounce Slightly toxic CAUTION over one ounce (3) Not toxic not required

21. Highly toxic by any route of entry PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
DANGER - POISON
Highly toxic by any route of entry
DANGER-POISON
PELIGRO
PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Let’s review the 4 signal words in order from the most to least toxic.
The highly toxic products have the signal word DANGER-POISON PELIGRO with the skull and cross-bones. Peligro is Spanish for Danger. You’ll find most signal words in both English and Spanish on the pesticide label. Danger-Poison indicates that products are highly toxic by any route of entry. The LD50’s values of a pesticide with the signal word DANGER-POISON PELIGRO with the skull and cross-bones would be very small, it only took a little bit to kill 50% of the laboratory test population.

22. It’s usually very easy to find the signal word on a pesticide label
It’s usually very easy to find the signal word on a pesticide label. Here’s an example of a label with DANGER-POISON-PELIGRO and the skull and cross-bones. If you are using a pesticide with this signal word, remember that it’s highly toxic no matter how you are exposed to it.

23. DANGER PELIGRO DANGER PELIGRO Causes irreversible eye damage.....
can cause severe eye damage or skin irritation
DANGER
PELIGRO
PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Causes irreversible eye damage.....
The signal word DANGER-PELIGRO alone, without the word poison and a symbol of the skull and crossbones has a very different meaning. Though the product is still highly toxic in very small doses. It is still a category 1 hazard. This signal word tells you the pesticide user that the product is corrosive and may cause severe eye damage or skin irritation. The routes of exposure that are of greatest concern when using a pesticide with the signal DANGER-PELIGRO are eyes and skin and not oral and inhalation.

24. Corrosive. Eye Damage
The signal word can be found at 2 places on the label. Here you can see it below the statement “Keep out of reach of children” and under Precautionary Statements. Looking under the signal word, you can see that the first word is corrosive. Knowing what the signal word means helps you to protect yourself. This example Danger means causes irreversible eye damage. So if you were handling this product you’d want to make sure you’re wearing appropriate safety goggles.

25. PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
WARNING AVISO
Moderately toxic
WARNING
AVISO
PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS
DANGER
Causes moderate eye damage and/or skin irritation.....
A pesticide with the signal word WARNING-AVISO is moderately toxic by any route of entry. A pesticide label has the signal word Warning-Aviso when the LD50 is between mg/kg. What this means in units that are a little easier to understand is that 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoon could be fatal to a 150 pound person. Also, as shown in this example, the concern is for moderate eye damage and skin irritation, not the LD50. With Warning it is important to read the precautionary statements to identify the concerns.

26. Take a look at this label for Roundup Original
Take a look at this label for Roundup Original. The signal word is WARNING. If you look closely at the label you can see that this product can cause temporary eye injury. Remember, products with the signal word WARNING are moderately toxic by any route of entry.

27. PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
slightly toxic
CAUTION
PRECAUCION
PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS
AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing.
And the last signal word is CAUTION. Products with this signal word are slightly toxic by any route of entry. The acute oral LD50 values for a product with the signal word CAUTION are large, between mg/kg; or you would need to be exposed to a lot before significant injury or death could result. Again the caution may be due to skin or eye injury.

28. Here is an example of a fungicide label with the signal word CAUTION
Here is an example of a fungicide label with the signal word CAUTION. There are still precautionary statements that need to be followed and misuse can result in damage if swallowed, or if it gets into eyes and onto skin.

29. Bell Work
Week of Monday, Feb. 2 – Friday, Feb. 6
Tuesday, Feb. 3
What is the difference between the signal words danger, warning, and caution on a pesticide label?

30. Directions For Use
What the pesticide product controls. Where, how and when to use the product. Entry statement Storage/Disposal/Mixing For: Plants, Animals, Sites Pests, How much Equipment Potential injuries When, How often, Where It’s critical that applicators understand and follow these statements!

32. Directions for Use By Reference
Must obey directions contained in documents that are only referred to on the product labeling
No longer room on traditional label to explain the requirements of all laws and regulations.
This statement would probably be the ONLY indication in the labeling material that other use directions and restrictions apply
You are responsible for determining if the document referred to applies to your situation

33. Misuse Statement
Reminder – violation of Federal law to use product in a manner inconsistent with its label
No pesticides may legally be used or recommended in any way that conflicts with the recommendations on the registered label

34. Misuse Statement Illegal uses or recommendations
Increase the label rate of application
Change method of application
Change time of application
Not following other conditions on the label

35. Misuse Statement Not illegal to use a pesticide:
At rates less than those recommended
Less frequently than recommended
For a pest not listed on the label if the site is listed
In combination with fertilizers
In combination with other pesticides, providing that labeled rates are not exceeded and the combination is not prohibited on the label

36. Reentry Statement
Tells how much time must pass before a treated area is safe to enter by a person without protective clothing

37. Precautionary Statements
Hazards to humans and domestic animals
Protective equipment listed here
Environmental hazards
Ex. Toxic to bees, Do not contaminate water
Physical & chemical hazards
Fire, explosion, etc.

38. First Aid
Tells what to do if someone accidentally swallows or breaths the pesticide, or gets it on their skin or in their eyes. May also contain section labeled “Note to Physicians” which provide doctors with specific medical information

39. Warranty Statement Statement intended to limit company’s liability,
or to act as a disclaimer,
or as a warranty for the product

40. Other Label Information
Manufacturers
Name &Address
EPA Registration #
EPA Establishment #
&
Net Wt./Net contents

41. HAZARD = Toxicity x Exposure
the capacity of a pesticide to cause injury
the risk of a pesticide contacting or entering the body
risk; the potential for injury
What’s the hazard or risk of a particular pesticide? In order to determine the hazard of any pesticide you must know two things – product toxicity and human exposure.
Toxicity is the capacity of a pesticide to cause injury either short- or long-term. Toxicity is a property of the pesticide itself.
Exposure is what happens when the pesticide comes in contact with the human body. How a pesticide is formulated can increase or decrease the risk of exposure which in turn changes the hazard.

42. Hazard Higher toxicity = greater hazard
Lower toxicity = less hazard
Higher exposure = greater hazard
Lower exposure = less hazard
North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The fundamental principle of risk management is understanding product toxicity and applicator exposure. To reduce risk, you either select a lower toxicity product or reduce your exposure.
In order to assess your risk when handling pesticides, it’s critical that you understand both toxicity and how you can be exposed. Let’s look at each of these factors.

43. High toxicity, Low exposure risk Low toxicity, High exposure risk
ASPIRIN
Let’s take a look at 2 common products and assess their hazard.
Gasoline is extremely toxic to humans if swallowed or inhaled. However, gasoline pumps have been designed to eliminate or greatly reduce the chance for human exposure. So, the hazard of filling your cars gas tank is very low.
Aspirin is another common product that can be hazardous. The toxicity to humans is low but the potential for exposure is high. For example, if a child were to swallow an entire bottle of aspirin they would become very ill. In this case, the hazard of children swallowing large amounts of aspirin is high and that’s why we keep medicines out of the reach of children by using engineering controls like child-resistant lids.
Low toxicity,
High exposure risk

44. Hazards Increase… when mixing and loading the concentrate
with a very high single exposure
after many exposures over time
Hazards increase when you’re mixing and loading. The activity of mixing and loading generally has a higher hazard than applying a pesticide because you’re exposed to the chemical in its most concentrated form – it hasn’t been diluted yet. During the pesticide application, your risk is typically lowered since the chemical has been diluted. This doesn’t mean that the hazard during an application is nothing to worry about.
Your hazard can still be substantial. Harmful effects can occur from a single exposure or many small exposures over time. Always follow label directions and safety precautions.

45. High - Eye or skin damage concerns greater than acute lethal toxicity
Signal Words
Signal Word
Category
Toxicity
Oral LD50
Danger-Poison Peligro I
High
0-50 mg/kg
A few drops to one tsp
Danger/Peligro
High - Eye or skin damage concerns greater than acute lethal toxicity
Warning/Aviso II
Moderate
mg/kg
or skin/eye
tsp -oz
Caution
III
Slight
>500 mg/kg
> oz
When setting the Signal Word, in addition to the LD50 value, EPA uses other effects, like skin or eye damage or irritation.
Toxicity measures are used in different ways, but they’re all based on the same principle. We can talk about the general toxicity of a product as being highly, moderately or slightly toxic. We can classify a product as a category 1, category 2, or category 3 toxin, or we can talk about the LD50 value.
You must memorize the different classifications and levels of toxicity assigned to different signal words.
So let’s go through an exercise with a product whose Oral LD50 value is 35 mg/kg. What signal word would it have? 35 falls between 0 and 50 so it is a category 1 hazard, highly toxic, and carries the danger-Poision, Peligro signal words with skull and crossbones symbol.
Now, if you had a Category 2 hazard, what signal word would it carry on the label – Warning and it would be moderately toxic. The concern may be either an LD50 between 50 and 500 or it could be from the concern for eye and skin injury.
Find this chart in your study material and spend some time learning it. I hope you can see that the smaller the LD50 the more toxic the chemical and the less it takes to kill 50% of the test population. Highly toxic refers to about a pinch or less of material.

46. Attitude Makes a Difference
Read and follow the label carefully
Be aware of the people and the environment in and around treated areas
You have a responsibility as a certified pesticide applicator to use and handle the material in a safe manner and according to label directions. Other than looking out for yourself, you must be aware of your surroundings. Look around and see if there are unprotected people, animals, or sensitive areas near or in the application site. Accidents do happen. By taking adequate precautions you reduce the likelihood of having a pesticide use accident.

47. Types of Toxicity to Pesticides
Acute – usually immediate, obvious, reversible
Delayed – “chronic”, usually from repeated doses
Allergic – immune system response to chemicals

48. Acute Effects
Oral – examples: burned mouth, sore throat, upset stomach
Inhalation – examples: pain or tightness in chest
Dermal (skin) – examples: itching, blisters, rash
Ocular (eyes) – examples: irritation, temporary or permanent blindness

49. Acute effects… Occur from a single exposure
Develop within 24 hrs of exposure
Acute effects are those that occur after a single exposure and develop within 24 hours of the exposure. The effects can be systemic, contact or both.
Acute toxicity effects are determined by exposing laboratory animals to the toxicant. EPA requires testing of acute systemic effects by measuring any negative effect that occurs through doses that cause death. When comparing toxicities of pesticides and classifying pesticide toxicity, scientists and EPA use an LD50 or LC50 measurement.
Let’s take a look at what that means.

50. Delayed (Chronic) Effects
May appear long after exposure:
Tumors
Gene effects
Miscarriage
Impotence
Birth defects
Infertility
Sterility
Nervous system disorders

51. Types of Allergic Effects
Systemic – as asthma, shock
Skin irritation – rash, blisters, sores
Eye and nose – itchy/watery eyes, sneezing
Will occur with every exposure to the offending chemical

53. First Aid - Skin Drench with water Remove clothes
Wash body with mild soap/water
Avoid chills/overheating
Burns: apply loose, clean, dry covering
No ointments (unless prescribed)

54. First Aid - Eyes Wash quickly (eye wash or water)
Rinse eye with cool, clean water 15 for more minutes
No chemicals/drugs in rinse

55. Artificial respiration (if needed)
First Aid - Inhalation
Get to fresh air
Loosen clothing
Artificial respiration (if needed)

56. First Aid – Mouth/Swallowed
Rinse mouth
Drink milk/water (up to 1 qt.)
Induce vomiting (if label says so)

57. First Aid – Mouth/Swallowed
Do NOT induce vomiting if:
unconscious/convulsions
corrosive poison swallowed
EC or oil solutions
label prohibits

58. Federal law requires that highly toxic pesticides contain instructions for the physician on the label in case of pesticide poisoning.

59. Emergency Responses
Call for help
First aid
Call physician/go to hospital
Take chemical or labeling
Call – Poison Control Center
*pesticide illness may be confused with heat stress, heat cramps, or plants poisoning

60. Absorption through the skin is
the most common route of
poisoning of agricultural workers.

61. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Body Coverings
Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, coveralls, liquid proof apron
Gloves – neoprene or natural rubber
Boots – neoprene or natural rubber
Goggles or face shield
Hat
Respirators
Always Read the Label for Proper PPE

62. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves
Waterproof or chemical
resistant gloves
Never wear leather!
Natural Rubber
Always Read the Label for Proper PPE

63. PPE: Respirators Reduces exposure to various dusts and mists.
Label will specify type of respirator.
Always Read the Label
for Proper PPE

64. The potential for human exposure is greatest during mixing/loading
Mixing and Loading
The potential for human exposure
is greatest during mixing/loading
Wear the Correct PPE!

65. Keep Out of Mouth Never mouth siphon Use soft brush to unclog nozzles
Keep in original container
No eating, smoking, etc. until you have thoroughly cleaned up

66. Changing or Cleaning Nozzles

67. Cleaning Nozzles

68. Washing and Bathing Shower or bathe daily after using pesticides.
Wash hands before touching anything that goes into mouth.
Do not touch face or genitals before washing hands.
Do not hug children with pesticides on your clothing or body

69. The Label is the Law
Do Not Apply Any Pesticide in a Manner Not Specifically Listed on the Label!