Pesticide Labeling
Applying Pesticides Correctly-EPA
Core Manual-Unit 2 (Pesticide Labeling )
April 2004
1
Pesticide Product Labeling
• Is the main method of
communication between a pesticide
manufacturer and the pesticide user.
2
Pesticide Product Labeling
• The information attached to
the pesticide container is the
label.
• Labeling includes the label plus
all other information you
receive from the manufacturer
about the product when you
buy it.
3
Pesticide Product Labeling
• Labeling can come in the form of
pamphlets or brochures. By law you
must have all the pesticide labeling
with you when you apply the
pesticide. Not just the pesticide
container.
4
Pesticide Product Labeling
• To the manufacturer it is the license
to sell the product.
5
Pesticide Product Labeling
• To medical personnel it can be an
important source of treatment
information in the case of poisoning.
6
Pesticide Product Labeling
• To the applicator it is directions on
how to use the product safely and
properly.
7
Pesticide Product Labeling
• To the government it is a means for
control. If a pesticide poses an
unreasonable risk to people or the
environment its uses can be restricted
or cancelled. For example uses of
DDT, chlordane, 2,4,5-T and others
have been cancelled in the U.S.
8
EPA Approval of Pesticide
Labeling
• The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) must approve the
manufacture's application for registration
before the product can be used.
9
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
7 U.S.C. s/s 136 et seq. (1972)
• Provides for federal control of pesticide
distribution, sale, and use.
• EPA was given authority under FIFRA to study
the consequences of pesticide usage and
require users (farmers, utility companies, and
others) to register when purchasing pesticides.
10
FIFRA (con’t)
• Through later amendments to the law, users
also must take exams for certification as
applicators of pesticides.
• All pesticides used in the U.S. must be
registered (licensed) by EPA.
• Registration assures that pesticides will be
properly labeled and that if used in accordance
with specifications, will not cause unreasonable
11
harm to the environment.
FIFRA (con’t)
• For questions concerning pesticides you
can call the Pesticide Team in EPA's
regional 8 office in Denver, at:
• 1-800-227-8917
12
Types of Registration
• There are three major types of
registration
– Federal registration (Section 3)
– special local needs registration (SLN or
Section 24c)
– emergency exemptions from
registration (Section 18)
13
Classification of Pesticide Uses
• Unclassified or General Use
–for use by the general public.
• Roundup, 2,4-D, malathion
• Restricted Use
–must have a license to apply
• Tordon 22k, Temik, zinc phosphide
14
Restricted Use Pesticide
• A pesticide or some of its uses are
classified as restricted if it could cause
harm to humans or to the environment
unless it is applied by certified applicators
who have the knowledge to use these
pesticides safely and effectively.
15
Certified Pesticide Applicators
• Private applicators use or supervise the
use of restricted use pesticides to produce
an agricultural commodity on property
owned or rented by themselves or their
employer, or on the property of another
person with whom they trade services.
16
Certified Pesticide Applicators
• Commercial applicators use or supervise
the use of restricted use pesticides on any
property or for any purpose other than
that listed for private applicators.
17
Certified Pesticide Applicators
• In Wyoming, Commercial applicator also
means a certified applicator who uses or
supervises the use of any pesticide during
any commercial application that is done
by contract or hire.
18
Parts of Pesticide Labeling
• The information on pesticide labeling usually is
grouped under headings to make it easier to
find.
• Some information is required by law to appear
on a certain part of the labeling or under
certain headings.
• Other information may be placed wherever the
manufacturer chooses.
19
Brand Name
• Each manufacturer has a brand name for
each of its products.
• You must beware of choosing a product
by brand name alone.
20
Brand Name (cont.)
• Companies may use the same basic brand
name with only minor variations to
designate different products.
21
22
23
24
25
Brand Name (cont.)
• Different companies may sell the same product
under different brand names
• Weedar 64 = 4 lbs 2,4-D amine/gal (Nufarm,
Inc.)
• Weed Pro 4# Amine = 4 lbs 2,4-D amine/gal
(Van Diest Supply Company)
26
Brand Name (cont.)
• Always read the ingredient statement to
determine the active ingredients that a
product contains.
27
Ingredient Statement
• A pesticide label must list what is in the
product.
• It must tell what the active ingredients
are and the amount of each ingredient as
a percentage of the total.
28
Ingredient Statement (con't)
• It must also list the chemical name and/or
the common name for each active
ingredient.
• Inert ingredients need not be named but
the label must show what percentage of
the total contents they make up.
29
Ingredient Statement (con't)
• For example a label with the brand name Tordon
22K would read:Active Ingredient(s):
Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), as the potassium
salt.............................................……………….…………………...................24.4%
Inert Ingredients........................................................…………………..........75.6%
Total........................................................................…………………............100.0%
Acid Equivalent:
Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) - 21.1% - 2 lb/gal
E.P.A. Registration No. 62719-6
E.P.A. Est. 464-MI-1
30
Registration and Establishment Numbers
• These numbers are needed in case of poisoning or
misuse claims.
Active Ingredient(s):
Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), as the potassium
salt........................……………......................………………......................24.4%
Inert Ingredients............................................................……………….......75.6%
Total………………....................................................................................100.0%
Acid Equivalent:
Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) - 21.1% - 2 lb/gal
E.P.A. Registration No. 62719-6
E.P.A. Est. 464-MI-1
31
Registration Number
• The registration number indicates that
the pesticide label has been approved by
EPA.
• Most products contain two sets of
numbers. The first set identifies the
company. The second set identifies the
product.
32
Registration Number (con't)
• State or SLN registrations
– SLN = Special Local Need
– EPA SLN No. WY-840001
33
Establishment Number
• Identifies the facility where the
product was made.
34
Name and Address of
Manufacturer
• The law requires the maker or distributor
of a product to put the name and address
of the company on the label.
– Monsanto Company
– Agricultural Products
– St. Louis, Missouri 63167 U.S.A.
35
Net Contents
• Tells you how much product is in the
container.
36
Type of Pesticide
• This statement indicates what the product will
control.
– Tordon 22K
• Susceptible broadleaf weeds and woody plants
– Guthion 2S
• Emulsifiable Insecticide
– Benlate
• Fungicide
37
Type of Formulation
• Some pesticide labels will tell you what
kind of formulation the product is.
– WP = wettable powder
– D = dust
– EC = emulsifiable concentrate
38
Restricted-Use Designation
• The label will state "Restricted Use
Pesticide" in a box at the top of the front
panel.
RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE
May injure (Phytotoxic) Susceptible, Non-target Plants. For retail sale to
and use only by Certified Applicators or persons under their direct
supervision and only for those uses covered by the Certified Applicator's
certification. Commercial certified applicators must also ensure that all
persons involved in these activities are informed of the precautionary
statements.
39
Front-Panel
Precautionary Statements
Signal Words and Symbols
• Three toxicity categories with associated signal
words and symbols
– 1. Highly toxic
• Danger-Poison with skull and crossbones
– 2. Moderately toxic
• Warning
– 3. Low or relatively nontoxic
• Caution
40
Front-Panel
Precautionary Statements
Signal Words and Symbols
• The signal word -- DANGER,
WARNING, or CAUTION -- must
appear on the front panel of the label.
41
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• Indicate how acutely toxic the
product is to humans.
• It is immediately below the
statement, "Keep out of reach of
children," which also must appear
on every label.
42
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• Is not based on the active ingredients
alone, but on the contents of the
formulated product (includes active
ingredients, carriers, solvents, or
inert ingredients).
43
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• Indicates the risk of acute effects
from the four routes of exposure to a
pesticide product (oral, dermal,
inhalation, and eye) and is based on
the one that is the greatest.
44
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• The signal word does not indicate the
risk of delayed effects or allergic
effects.
• Use the signal word to help you
decide what precautionary measures
are needed for protection.
45
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• DANGER -- POISON
–Highly toxic. Very likely to cause
acute illness, cause severe eye or
skin injury, or DEATH.
46
47
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• DANGER -- POISON
– Only takes a taste to a teaspoon taken
by mouth to cause your death.
– LD50 = ~0 to 50 mg/kg (ppm)
48
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• What is LD50?
– It is the lethal oral dose in mg of toxicant
(pesticide) per kg of body weight (ppm)
required to kill 50% of a test population of
animals, usually rats or mice.
– This information is then used to estimate the
toxicity of the pesticide to humans.
49
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• What is LD50? (con’t)
– The lower the LD50 the more toxic the
pesticide.
– Usually will not find on the pesticide
labeling.
– It may be used to compare the relative
toxicity of different chemicals.
50
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• Products that have the signal word
DANGER due to skin and eye
irritation potential will not carry the
word POISON or the skull and
crossbones symbol.
51
52
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• WARNING -- Moderately likely to
cause acute illness or skin or eye
irritation from exposure.
53
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• WARNING
– Only takes a teaspoon to 2 tablespoons
taken by mouth to cause your death.
– LD50 = 50 to 500 mg/kg (ppm)
54
55
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• Caution -- Slightly toxic or relatively
nontoxic. Only has a slight potential
to cause acute illness. Skin or eye
irritation, if any, is likely to be slight.
56
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
• Caution
– Takes 2 tablespoons (ounce) or more
taken by mouth to cause your death.
– LD50 = 500 to > 5000 mg/kg
57
58
Signal Words and Symbols (con't)
Review of toxicity categories
Signal Word
Toxicity
Category
Lethal Oral
Dose
DANGER-POISON
(skull/crossbones)
l-Highly Toxic
Taste to
teaspoon
WARNING
ll-Moderately
Toxic
Teaspoon to 2
tablespoons
CAUTION
lll-Slightly
Toxic
Ounce or
greater
59
Pesticide Toxicity
• Toxicity
– The measure of the ability of a pesticide to cause
harmful effects
– Depends on
•
•
•
•
active ingredient
carrier
inert ingredient
formulation
60
Pesticide Toxicity
• Hazard = toxicity x exposure
– The dose make the poison
• Exposure is the amount of pesticide you are
exposed to through oral, dermal or inhalation
contact
• Remember the lower the LD50 the more toxic
the chemical
61
Examples of Pesticide Toxicity
Examples
Pesticide
Acute oral LD50
mg/kg for rats
aspirin
1750
antifreeze
3500
table salt
3300
malathion
insecticide
480-2800
Tordon
herbicide
8200
Roundup
herbicide
5400
Banvel
herbicide
1040
Temik 10G
insecticide
6.2
62
What toxicity category does this pesticide fall under?
63
Pesticide Exposure
• A person can be exposed to pesticides by:
– Oral (drinking the pesticide)
– Inhalation (breathing the pesticide spray or fumes)
– Dermal (absorption through the skin)
• most common route of exposure
64
Dermal (skin) absorption rates
Scalp 3.7
Ear canal 5.4
Forehead 4.2
Abdomen 2.1
Forearm 1.0
Groin area 11.6
Palm 1.3
Ball of foot 1.6
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
Statement of Practical Treatment
(first aid)
• Instructions on how to respond to
exposure to that product.
81
Symptoms of pesticide
poisoning
82
Antidote Statement
• Atropine sulfate is highly effective as
an antidote. See note to physician.
83
Note to Physician
• Contains important treatment
information for medical personnel.
84
Hazards to Humans and Domestic
Animals
Acute Effects Statements
• Indicate which route of entry needs to
be protected and what specific
actions need to be taken to avoid
acute effects from exposure to
pesticides.
85
Acute Effects Statements (con't)
• Example:
– Fatal if swallowed. Causes
cholinesterase inhibition. May be fatal
or harmful by skin or eye contact or by
breathing dust. Rapidly absorbed
through skin or eyes. Do not get on skin
or in eyes. Do not breathe dust. Keep
away from domestic animals.
86
Delayed Effects Statements
• Will tell you if the product has been
shown to cause problems such as
tumors or reproductive problems in
lab animals.
87
Allergic Effects Statements
• Will tell you if the product can cause
skin irritation, asthma or other
allergic effects.
88
Personal Protective Equipment
Statements
• Tell you the minimum protective equipment that you
must wear.
89
Pesticide Safety (con’t)
• I think I was exposed to a pesticide. What should I
do?
• You should call the:
• Poison Center:
– Emergency Phone: (800)
222-1222
90
Environmental Hazards
• Will indicate precautions for
protecting the environment.
91
Environmental Hazards (con't)
• This pesticide is extremely toxic to
aquatic and estuarine invertebrates.
• BEE CAUTION: MAY KILL
HONEYBEES IN SUBSTANTIAL
NUMBERS.
92
Environmental Hazards (con't)
• Do not contaminate water when
cleaning equipment or applying the
pesticide.
93
Physical or Chemical Hazards
• Tells you of any special fire,
explosion, or chemical hazards the
product may pose.
94
Physical or Chemical Hazards
(con't)
• Flammable. Do not use, pour, spill, or
store near heat or open flame. Do not
cut or weld container.
95
Directions for Use
• Contains misuse statement:
– It is a violation of Federal law to use
this product in a manner inconsistent
with its labeling.
96
Directions for Use (con't)
• Also contains sections on storage,
disposal, entry and specific directions
for using the product.
97
Directions for Use (con't)
Use Inconsistent with the labeling
• It is illegal to use a pesticide in any
way not permitted by the labeling.
• The use directions and instructions
are not advice, they are requirements.
98
Directions for Use (con't)
Use Inconsistent with the labeling
• Federal law does allow you to:
– apply a pesticide at any dosage,
concentration, or frequency less than
that listed on the labeling,
99
Directions for Use (con't)
Use Inconsistent with the labeling
• Federal law does allow you to:
– apply a pesticide against any target pest
not listed on the labeling if the
application is to a plant, animal, or site
that is listed,
100
Directions for Use (con't)
Use Inconsistent with the labeling
• Federal law does allow you to:
– use any appropriate equipment or
method of application that is not
prohibited by the labeling,
101
Directions for Use (con't)
Use Inconsistent with the labeling
• Federal law does allow you to:
– mix a pesticide or pesticides with a
fertilizer if the mixture is not prohibited
by the labeling,
102
Directions for Use (con't)
Use Inconsistent with the labeling
• Federal law does allow you to:
– mix two or more pesticides, if all of the
dosages are at or below the
recommended rate.
103
Directions for Use (con't)
Entry statement
• Tells you how much time must pass
before people can enter a treated area
except under special circumstances.
• REI - restricted entry interval
104
Directions for Use (con't)
Entry statement
• Example:
105
Directions for Use (con't)
Posting
• If required by the label you must post
the area that has been treated. This
will let people know when they can
safely reenter the area without safety
clothing or equipment.
106
Directions for Use (con't)
Preharvest Interval
• With some pesticides you must wait a
certain amount of time after
application before you harvest the
crop for consumption. This will keep
pesticide residues within legal
tolerances in the harvested crop.
107
Directions for Use (con't)
Preharvest Interval
• Example
– For potatoes do not apply within 14
days of harvest.
108
Directions for Use (con't)
Storage and disposal
• All labeling contains instructions for
storing the pesticide.
– Keep out of reach of children and pets
– Do not store in temperatures below 32 F
109
Directions for Use (con't)
Storage and disposal
• labeling also contains instructions for disposal of
the pesticide.
– Pesticide Disposal: Wastes resulting from the use of this
product may be disposed of on site or at an approved
waste disposal facility.
– Plastic Container Disposal: Do not reuse container.
Triple rinse (or equivalent). Puncture and dispose of in a
sanitary landfill, or by incineration, or, if allowed by
burning. If burned stay out of smoke.
110
Directions for Use (con't)
Storage and Disposal
Pressure Rinse
• Convenient way to remove
chemical from container
• Save money by using all the
product
• Use with plastic or metal
containers
• Destroys container so it can’t be
used to hold other liquids
111
Directions for Use (con't)
Other directions for use
• Use directions will tell you:
– pests the product will control,
– plant, animal, or site the product will protect,
– in what form the product should be applied,
112
Directions for Use (con't)
Other directions for use
• Use directions will tell you:
– the correct equipment to use,
– how much pesticide to use,
– mixing directions,
113
Directions for Use (con't)
Other directions for use
• Use directions will tell you:
– if the product can be mixed with other products,
– if the product will cause unwanted injuries or
stains,
– where, when, and how often the product should be
applied.
114
Directions for Use (con't)
Directions for use by reference
• Some directions for use may be
contained in documents that are only
referred to on the product labeling.
115
Directions for Use (con't)
Directions for use by reference
• ground water protection
• endangered species protection
• worker protection
• pesticide transportation, storage, and disposal
116
Groundwater Protection
• ~ 90% of rural residents rely on groundwater
for their drinking water
• Pesticides that have a potential to contaminate
groundwater are:
– highly soluble in water
– have low adsorption to soil particles
– are persistent in the environment
• Example: Tordon, Banvel, Temik
117
Endangered Species Act
(1973)
• To comply with the Endangered Species Act,
EPA must ensure that registered pesticides do
not adversely affect threatened or endangered
species or modify critical habitat when used as
directed.
• For pesticides that may affect listed species,
EPA consults with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
118
Endangered Species Act
• Wyoming’s list --12 species
– Animals--11 species
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
T -- Bear, grizzly (Ursus arctos) *
E -- Crane, whooping (Grus americana) *
E -- Dace, Kendall Warm Springs (Rhinichthys osculus thermalis) *
T -- Eagle, bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) *
E -- Falcon, American peregrine (Falco peregrinus anatum)
E -- Ferret, black-footed (Mustela nigripes) *
T -- Mouse, Preble's meadow jumping (Zapus hudsonius preblei) *
E -- Squawfish, Colorado (Ptychocheilus lucius) *
E -- Sucker, razorback (Xyrauchen texanus) *
E -- Toad, Wyoming (Bufo hemiophrys baxteri) *
E -- Wolf, gray (Canis lupus) *
– Plants--1 species
• T -- Ute ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis)
– T = threatened
E = endangered
119
Grizzly bear
120
Wolf
Gray wolf
121
Bald eagle
Bald eagle
122
Peregrine falcon
123
Whooping crane
124
Colorado Squawfish
Wolf
125
Wolf
Sucker, razorback
126
Wolf
127
Wolf
Gray wolf
128
Ute ladies'-tresses
(Spiranthes diluvialis)
129
Black-tailed prairie dog
130
Black-footed ferret
131
Mountain plover
132
Burrowing owl
133
Sage grouse, male
134
Worker Protection Standard for
Agricultural Pesticides
• The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is
intended to reduce the risk of pesticide
poisonings and injuries among agricultural
workers who are exposed to pesticide residues,
and to reduce the risk of pesticide poisonings
and injuries among pesticide handlers who
may face more hazardous levels of exposure.
135
Worker Protection Standard for
Agricultural Pesticides
• EPA has issued regulations governing the
protection of workers from agricultural
pesticides. These regulations include workers
performing
– hand labor operations on farms, in forests,
nurseries, and greenhouses, and employees who
handle (mix, load, apply, ect.) pesticides in these
locations.
136
Worker Protection Standard for
Agricultural Pesticides
•
The WPS does not cover pesticides applied:
– on pastures, range land, or livestock;
– on the harvested portions of plants or on harvested timber;
– for control of vertebrate pests, such as rodents;
– on plants grown in home gardens and home greenhouses;
– on plants that are in golf courses (except those areas set aside for plant
production) or right-of-way areas;
– on public or private lawns (sod farms are covered by the WPS);
– on plants intended only for decorative or ornamental use (trees and shrubs in
lawns);
– for mosquito abatement, or similar wide area public pest control programs;
– for structural pest control, such as termite control; and
– for research uses of unregistered pesticides.
137
Worker Protection Standard for
Agricultural Pesticides
• Read the label to see if you need to comply with worker
protection standards
138
Directions for Use (con't)
Directions for use by reference
• You must:
– determine whether you are affected,
– locate the applicable directions for use,
– determine how to comply with the instructions and
requirements.
139
!!!READ
THE
LABEL!!!
140
What is a MSDS
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• A document that provides information about the
hazards of a chemical or product.
• State and Federal law requires that all
manufacturers and distributors of chemical
products provide the end user with a manufacturer
specific MSDS.
141
MSDS (con’t)
• Informs the user about the material’s:
– physical properties and related health effects,
– personnel protective equipment necessary to protect
the user,
– first aid treatment necessary in the event of an
exposure,
– how to respond to accidents,
– and the planning that may be necessary in order to
safely handle a spill.
142
Where can you find MSDSs?
• Employers are required to keep one on file for
each chemical they use.
• When a chemical is ordered, the manufacturer
will provide an MSDS in the shipment.
• A good method of accessing MSDSs is through
electronic databases.
143
Please enter the name(s) associated with the product you are looking for below.
tordon 22k
Submit Query
Reset
Tips for searching
Please Note:
The ~ 250,000 MSDS files contained in this database are derived from :
•the U.S. Government Department of Defense MSDS database.
•a mirror of data from siri.uvm.edu.
•MSDS sheets maintained by Cornell University Environmental Health and Safety and other Cornell
departments.
This data is provided for Cornell University user convenience. Please direct questions or comments about
operation of the site to the Joe Lalley.
http://webferret.search.com/click?wf,msds,,msds.pdc.cornell.edu%2Fmsdssrch.asp,,fastsearch
144
145
146
147
148
University of Wyoming
Pesticide Programs and Education Resources
Web Page Address
• http://www.uwyo.edu/plants/wyopest/home.htm
149