COLORADO QS/CO PESTICIDE TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) - Answers Laws that provide federal
control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use.
EPA carries out enforcement.
Users must take exams for certification as applicators.
EPA must register new pesticides and re-register all existing pesticides.
Applies to people who manufacture, market, distribute, use, or dispose of pesticide products.
What are the two main pesticide classifications? - Answers General use and restricted use
General Use Pesticide - Answers Generally have a lower toxicity and have less potential to harm
humans or the environment
Can be bought and used by the public without special permits or restrictions
Restricted Use Pesticide (RUPs) - Answers Might result in an unreasonable adverse effect on
human health and/or the environment
Application by trained persons is required to use these products
This classification will be stated on the label
Pesticide Registration - Answers Since 1988, the EPA has been in charge of this.
A pesticide must have a substantially complete database and must not cause unreasonable
risks to human health or the environment when used in accordance with its approved label
directions and precautions.
4 types of pesticide registration - Answers Section 3 - full federal label
Section 18 - emergency exemptions
Section 24c - special local needs label
Section 25b - minimum risk pesticides
Pesticide Registration: Section 3 - Full Federal Label - Answers Outlines pesticide registration
requirements that manufacturers must follow.
Most pesticides are registered this way
Pesticide Registration: Section 18 - Emergency Exemptions - Answers Allows state and federal
agencies to permit an additional use during a short term pest management crisis in a specific
locality.
,Manufacturer is not allowed to advertise or promote the use of the product under this, even
though the use is legal.
This is used when there is a crisis and there are no federally registered pesticides available to
control the problem.
Pesticide Registration: Section 24c - Special Local Needs Label - Answers Colorado can register
additional uses of a federally listed pesticide.
These uses are for additional distribution and use in a specific area.
These are valid only in the state of issue.
Pesticide Registration: Section 25b - Minimum Risk Pesticides - Answers Can register pesticides
that have a very limited set of active and inert ingredients specified by the EPA, and are not
required to have an EPA registration number.
These pesticides are required to be registered with CDA in order to be sold and used in Colorado.
Certified Operator - Answers Individual who has been recognized by the state, tribe, territory, or
agency responsible for regulating pesticides (in CO this is the CDA) as being competent to use
or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs).
Must know how to read a pesticide label and be bale to follow directions to use them properly
and safely
2 categories of certified operators - Answers Private Applicators
Commercial Applicators
Private certified operator - Answers Individual who uses or supervises the use of RUPs in the
production of agricultural commodities on land owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer
Commercial certified operator - Answers Individual who engages in the business of applying
pesticides or operating a device for hire.
Limited commercial operator - Answers Any person who in the course of conducting a business
only in or on property owned or leased by the person or the person's employer is engaged in
applying RUPs
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - Answers FIFRA was amended in 1996 to include this.
Requires all pesticides meet new health and safety standards - including determining if
pesticide is an endocrine disruptor.
EPA must conclude with reasonable certainty that no harm will come to infants, children, or
other sensitive individuals exposed to pesticides - cumulative effects must be considered.
,Requires EPA to review every registered pesticide on a 15 year cycle.
Public operator - Answers Any agency of the state, county, city, municipality, local government,
or political subdivision which applies RUPs
Pesticide Residues - Answers Particles that remain in small amounts in or on fruits, vegetables,
grains, other foods, and animal feeds.
Pesticide Residue Tolerance - Answers Maximum limit, set by the EPA, allowed to remain in or
on each treated food commodity.
Aggregate Pesticide Exposure - Answers All possible sources of exposure to the same pesticide
Cumulative Pesticide Exposure - Answers Combined effect from multiple exposures to the
same pesticide
Rinsate - Answers A mixture of pesticides diluted by water, solvents, oils, commercial rinsing
agents, or any other substances.
It is produced from cleaning pesticide application equipment or pesticide containers.
Penalties for breaking pesticide laws - Answers Both civil and criminal charges can be assessed
for FIFRA violations.
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - Answers Passed before FIFRA to set maximum
residue levels for unavoidable poisonous substances in food marketed in the US.
Administered by the FDA but the EPA has a role
EPAs role: sets tolerances for pesticide residues on food commodities in the US
FDAs role: Monitors food crops for pesticide residues and enforces the levels set by the EPA.
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) - Answers Federal regulation passed in 1974 to provide
protection to workers who perform hand labor tasks in fields after a pesticide application.
Recently updated in 2015 to increase protection to workers.
It applies when a pesticide that contains this labeling is used in the production of agricultural
commodities
This labeling can be found in the "Directions for Use" in the "Agricultural Use Requirements"
section of the label
Types of Agricultural Establishments Covered by WPS - Answers Applies to any establishment
involved in growing, maintaining, or producing agricultural plants for commercial and/or
research or experimental purposes (Nurseries, dairy farms, golf courses, prisons, public parks,
university extension programs, etc.)
, Endangered Species Act - Answers Passed in 1973 to protect any plant or animal species in
danger of extinction
Administered by the USFWS
It is a violation to use a pesticide in any manner than may kill or otherwise harm an an
endangered species or adversely modify their habitat
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act - Answers Provides authority for federal
cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and response to spills or accidental releases of
hazardous substances
EPA has a list of all chemicals that could cause serious, irreversible health effects through
accidental releases and any facility with such chemicals needs to notify both state and federal
agencies.
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act - Answers Regulates transportation
of pesticides.
Shipment of pesticides and other dangerous substances across state lines is regulated by the
US DOT
DOT requires placards on vehicles that transport certain types and quantities of hazardous
materials
Transportation Security Plan - Answers Required by US DOT for all operations that ship or
transport materials in quantities that require a placard.
General Rule of State Pesticide Laws - Answers Programs that are derived from a delegation of
federal regulatory authority can be more, but cannot be less, stringent than the federal law
Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act, Title 35, Article 10 - Answers Administered by the Colorado
Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program.
Includes licensing and regulation of any individual or business who applies pesticides or uses
certain pest control devices, on property other than their own, and for hire, or any form of
compensation in CO
Who needs to be license to apply pesticide in CO? - Answers Commercial applicator
Limited commercial applicator
Public operator
Certified operator (CO) - Answers An individual who mixes, loads, or applies any pesticide,
including RUPs, under the supervision of a qualified supervisor
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) - Answers Laws that provide federal
control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use.
EPA carries out enforcement.
Users must take exams for certification as applicators.
EPA must register new pesticides and re-register all existing pesticides.
Applies to people who manufacture, market, distribute, use, or dispose of pesticide products.
What are the two main pesticide classifications? - Answers General use and restricted use
General Use Pesticide - Answers Generally have a lower toxicity and have less potential to harm
humans or the environment
Can be bought and used by the public without special permits or restrictions
Restricted Use Pesticide (RUPs) - Answers Might result in an unreasonable adverse effect on
human health and/or the environment
Application by trained persons is required to use these products
This classification will be stated on the label
Pesticide Registration - Answers Since 1988, the EPA has been in charge of this.
A pesticide must have a substantially complete database and must not cause unreasonable
risks to human health or the environment when used in accordance with its approved label
directions and precautions.
4 types of pesticide registration - Answers Section 3 - full federal label
Section 18 - emergency exemptions
Section 24c - special local needs label
Section 25b - minimum risk pesticides
Pesticide Registration: Section 3 - Full Federal Label - Answers Outlines pesticide registration
requirements that manufacturers must follow.
Most pesticides are registered this way
Pesticide Registration: Section 18 - Emergency Exemptions - Answers Allows state and federal
agencies to permit an additional use during a short term pest management crisis in a specific
locality.
,Manufacturer is not allowed to advertise or promote the use of the product under this, even
though the use is legal.
This is used when there is a crisis and there are no federally registered pesticides available to
control the problem.
Pesticide Registration: Section 24c - Special Local Needs Label - Answers Colorado can register
additional uses of a federally listed pesticide.
These uses are for additional distribution and use in a specific area.
These are valid only in the state of issue.
Pesticide Registration: Section 25b - Minimum Risk Pesticides - Answers Can register pesticides
that have a very limited set of active and inert ingredients specified by the EPA, and are not
required to have an EPA registration number.
These pesticides are required to be registered with CDA in order to be sold and used in Colorado.
Certified Operator - Answers Individual who has been recognized by the state, tribe, territory, or
agency responsible for regulating pesticides (in CO this is the CDA) as being competent to use
or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs).
Must know how to read a pesticide label and be bale to follow directions to use them properly
and safely
2 categories of certified operators - Answers Private Applicators
Commercial Applicators
Private certified operator - Answers Individual who uses or supervises the use of RUPs in the
production of agricultural commodities on land owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer
Commercial certified operator - Answers Individual who engages in the business of applying
pesticides or operating a device for hire.
Limited commercial operator - Answers Any person who in the course of conducting a business
only in or on property owned or leased by the person or the person's employer is engaged in
applying RUPs
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - Answers FIFRA was amended in 1996 to include this.
Requires all pesticides meet new health and safety standards - including determining if
pesticide is an endocrine disruptor.
EPA must conclude with reasonable certainty that no harm will come to infants, children, or
other sensitive individuals exposed to pesticides - cumulative effects must be considered.
,Requires EPA to review every registered pesticide on a 15 year cycle.
Public operator - Answers Any agency of the state, county, city, municipality, local government,
or political subdivision which applies RUPs
Pesticide Residues - Answers Particles that remain in small amounts in or on fruits, vegetables,
grains, other foods, and animal feeds.
Pesticide Residue Tolerance - Answers Maximum limit, set by the EPA, allowed to remain in or
on each treated food commodity.
Aggregate Pesticide Exposure - Answers All possible sources of exposure to the same pesticide
Cumulative Pesticide Exposure - Answers Combined effect from multiple exposures to the
same pesticide
Rinsate - Answers A mixture of pesticides diluted by water, solvents, oils, commercial rinsing
agents, or any other substances.
It is produced from cleaning pesticide application equipment or pesticide containers.
Penalties for breaking pesticide laws - Answers Both civil and criminal charges can be assessed
for FIFRA violations.
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - Answers Passed before FIFRA to set maximum
residue levels for unavoidable poisonous substances in food marketed in the US.
Administered by the FDA but the EPA has a role
EPAs role: sets tolerances for pesticide residues on food commodities in the US
FDAs role: Monitors food crops for pesticide residues and enforces the levels set by the EPA.
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) - Answers Federal regulation passed in 1974 to provide
protection to workers who perform hand labor tasks in fields after a pesticide application.
Recently updated in 2015 to increase protection to workers.
It applies when a pesticide that contains this labeling is used in the production of agricultural
commodities
This labeling can be found in the "Directions for Use" in the "Agricultural Use Requirements"
section of the label
Types of Agricultural Establishments Covered by WPS - Answers Applies to any establishment
involved in growing, maintaining, or producing agricultural plants for commercial and/or
research or experimental purposes (Nurseries, dairy farms, golf courses, prisons, public parks,
university extension programs, etc.)
, Endangered Species Act - Answers Passed in 1973 to protect any plant or animal species in
danger of extinction
Administered by the USFWS
It is a violation to use a pesticide in any manner than may kill or otherwise harm an an
endangered species or adversely modify their habitat
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act - Answers Provides authority for federal
cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and response to spills or accidental releases of
hazardous substances
EPA has a list of all chemicals that could cause serious, irreversible health effects through
accidental releases and any facility with such chemicals needs to notify both state and federal
agencies.
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act - Answers Regulates transportation
of pesticides.
Shipment of pesticides and other dangerous substances across state lines is regulated by the
US DOT
DOT requires placards on vehicles that transport certain types and quantities of hazardous
materials
Transportation Security Plan - Answers Required by US DOT for all operations that ship or
transport materials in quantities that require a placard.
General Rule of State Pesticide Laws - Answers Programs that are derived from a delegation of
federal regulatory authority can be more, but cannot be less, stringent than the federal law
Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act, Title 35, Article 10 - Answers Administered by the Colorado
Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program.
Includes licensing and regulation of any individual or business who applies pesticides or uses
certain pest control devices, on property other than their own, and for hire, or any form of
compensation in CO
Who needs to be license to apply pesticide in CO? - Answers Commercial applicator
Limited commercial applicator
Public operator
Certified operator (CO) - Answers An individual who mixes, loads, or applies any pesticide,
including RUPs, under the supervision of a qualified supervisor
