MDARD MICHIGAN CORE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR EXAM
2026 UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
Can you use the signal word on a pesticide label to judge the likelihood of suffering
acute, delayed or allergic effects if you are overexposed to the product? Explain. - ans-
Signal words and symbols indicate the likelihood that you will experience acute
harmful effects if you are overexposed. Signal words do not tell you any thing
about the risks of delayed harmful effects or allergic effects.
What types of hazard statements are on pesticide labeling? - ans-You should look for
precautions about hazards to humans (and domestic animals), environmental
hazards and physical/chemical hazards.
The EPA registration number refers to the facility where the pesticide product was
made. (True or False?) - ans-False
A pesticide use bulletin for protection of endangered species may contain limitations on
certain pesticide applications in an area where an endangered species habitat exists.
(True or False?) - ans-True
It is adequate to orally warn agricultural workers of an application of VIP Pest-No if the
locations are explained. (True or False?) - ans-False. This product label requires the
entrances to treated areas to also be posted.
Point-source pollution - Nonpoint-source pollution - ans-Point-source pollution comes
from a specific, identifiable place (point).
Which types of nozzles lower the risk of pesticide air drift? - ans-High-pressure and
fine nozzles produce very small spray droplets that are very likely to drift. Lower
pressure and coarse nozzles produce larger droplets with less drift potential.
Pesticides will vary in their potential to drift.
What is volatization? - ans-Volatilization occurs when a solid or liquid turns into a
gas. A pesticide in a gaseous state can be carried away from a treated area by air
currents; movement of pesticide vapors is called vapor drift. Unlike the drift of
sprays and dusts that can sometimes be seen during an application, vapor drift is
invisible. Volatilization of pesticides increases with higher air temperature and air
movement, higher temperature at the treated surface (soil, plant, etc.), low relative
humidity and decreasing size of droplets.
Adsorption - ans-Adsorption is the binding of chemicals to soil particles.
,Pesticides that are strongly adsorbed (bound) are less likely to be carried from
the treated area by surface water or to leach through the soil; they may, however,
be moved readily by soil erosion.
Absorption - ans-Absorption is the process by which chemicals are taken up by
plants and other organisms.
Microbial Degradation - ans-Microbial degradation occurs when microorganisms
such as fungi and bacteria break down pesticides and use them as a food source.
Most microbial activity occurs in the top 12 inches of soil.
The chemical structure of the pesticide also influences the ability of microorganisms to
break it down. In particular, compounds with chlorine in their structures resist
degradation and can persist in the environment for a long time.
This can be avoided or delayed by alternating types of pesticides used, spot-treating
and applying pesticides only when needed.
Chemical Degradation - ans-Chemical degradation of a pesticide involves reactions
that change its chemical bonds, reducing the pesticide's original structure into
less complex components.
Example: Hydrolysis (a chemical reaction that splits bonds and adds the elements of
water) in high pH (alkaline) soils or spray mixes.
Photodegradation - ans-Photodegradation is the breakdown of pesticides by the action
of sunlight.
How many pesticides have been found in Michigan's groundwater? - ans-Fifteen
pesticides have been detected in Michigan's groundwater.
Water table - ans-The top of the saturated zone (pores in ground completely filled
with water).
Aquifers - ans-Layers of rock, sand, gravel, silt or clay that contain groundwater.
Recharge areas - ans-Areas where water is seeping down to the water table are
called recharge areas
Discharge areas - ans-Areas where groundwater flows to the surface are called
discharge areas.
,How many pesticides are currently expected to require a pesticide state management
plan (PSMP)? - ans-Five pesticides are currently expected to require a PSMP:
alachlor, atrazine, cyanazine, metolachlor and simazine.
Pesticides are most likely to leach through soils that are... - ans-Very coarse (sandy or
gravelly), shallow (less than 20 inches), poorly drained or drought-prone.
When is the water table elevated the highest? - ans-Spring and fall generally are the
times of greatest groundwater recharge and, therefore, also of highest water table
elevations.
What is the environment? - ans-Environment is everything that surrounds us -
indoors and outdoors - including natural elements, man-made objects, people
and other living organisms.
Point-source pollution:
a. Comes from a specific, identifiable place.
b. Could be a pesticide spill that moves into a storm sewer. c. Comes from a wide area.
d. May be the movement of pesticides into streams after broadcast field applications.
e. a and b - ans-e. a and b
List some ways to prevent point-source pollution. - ans-Ways to avoid point-source
pollution include, for example:
a. Proper management of wash water and spills produced at equipment cleanup
sites.
b. Proper disposal of containers, water used to rinse containers and excess
pesticides.
c. Correctly cleaning up leaks and spills at pesticide storage sites.
d.Preventing pesticide spills while mixing concentrates or loading pesticides into
application equipment.
What environmental factors should you consider any time you accidentally or
intentionally release a pesticide into an environment? - ans-a. Whether there are
sensitive areas in the environment at the pesticide use site that might be harmed
by contact with the pesticide.
b. Whether there are sensitive off site areas near the use site that might be
harmed by contact with the pesticide.
c. Whether there are conditions in the immediate environment that might cause
the pesticide to move off site.
, d.Whether you can change any factors in your application or in the pesticide use
site to reduce the risk of environmental contamination.
What is a "sensitive area"?
a. Sites or living things in environments that are easily injured by a pesticide.
b. Schools, playgrounds, hospitals and other places where people are present.
c. Places where there are animals - endangered species, bees, other wildlife, livestock,
pets.
d.Places where crops, ornamental plants or other sensitive plants are growing.
e. All of the above. - ans-e. All of the above.
Droplet or particle size, height and direction of release are factors that influence whether
a pesticide will move off site in the air. (True or False?) - ans-True
Vapor drift is:
a. Pesticide particles, dusts and spray droplets carried away from the target site in the
air.
b. Less likely to occur from medium-textured soils with high moisture content.
c. When a pesticide is moved away from the treated area by air currents in a gaseous
state.
d. Visible from a short distance.
e. Not likely to occur when spray droplets are small and relative humidity is low. - ans-c.
When a pesticide is moved away from the treated area by air currents in a
gaseous state.
Pesticides with a high degree of water solubility have a greater potential for both
movement and water contamination. (True or False?) - ans-True
Pesticides that are strongly adsorbed to soils:
a. Are less likely to be carried from the treated area by surface water.
b. Are more likely to be leached.
c. Are not likely to be moved with soil erosion.
d.Stay in the soil longer, giving microbes more opportunity to degrade them.
e. None of the above. - ans-a. Are less likely to be carried from the treated area by
surface water.
_____________are more adsorptive than __________.
a. Sandy soils; clay soils.
b. Sandy soils; soils with high percentage of organic matter.
c. Soils high in organic matter or clay; sandy soils. - ans-c. Soils high in organic
matter or clay; sandy soils.
In structural settings, runoff water can flow into floor drains and into water systems.
(True or False?) - ans-True
2026 UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
Can you use the signal word on a pesticide label to judge the likelihood of suffering
acute, delayed or allergic effects if you are overexposed to the product? Explain. - ans-
Signal words and symbols indicate the likelihood that you will experience acute
harmful effects if you are overexposed. Signal words do not tell you any thing
about the risks of delayed harmful effects or allergic effects.
What types of hazard statements are on pesticide labeling? - ans-You should look for
precautions about hazards to humans (and domestic animals), environmental
hazards and physical/chemical hazards.
The EPA registration number refers to the facility where the pesticide product was
made. (True or False?) - ans-False
A pesticide use bulletin for protection of endangered species may contain limitations on
certain pesticide applications in an area where an endangered species habitat exists.
(True or False?) - ans-True
It is adequate to orally warn agricultural workers of an application of VIP Pest-No if the
locations are explained. (True or False?) - ans-False. This product label requires the
entrances to treated areas to also be posted.
Point-source pollution - Nonpoint-source pollution - ans-Point-source pollution comes
from a specific, identifiable place (point).
Which types of nozzles lower the risk of pesticide air drift? - ans-High-pressure and
fine nozzles produce very small spray droplets that are very likely to drift. Lower
pressure and coarse nozzles produce larger droplets with less drift potential.
Pesticides will vary in their potential to drift.
What is volatization? - ans-Volatilization occurs when a solid or liquid turns into a
gas. A pesticide in a gaseous state can be carried away from a treated area by air
currents; movement of pesticide vapors is called vapor drift. Unlike the drift of
sprays and dusts that can sometimes be seen during an application, vapor drift is
invisible. Volatilization of pesticides increases with higher air temperature and air
movement, higher temperature at the treated surface (soil, plant, etc.), low relative
humidity and decreasing size of droplets.
Adsorption - ans-Adsorption is the binding of chemicals to soil particles.
,Pesticides that are strongly adsorbed (bound) are less likely to be carried from
the treated area by surface water or to leach through the soil; they may, however,
be moved readily by soil erosion.
Absorption - ans-Absorption is the process by which chemicals are taken up by
plants and other organisms.
Microbial Degradation - ans-Microbial degradation occurs when microorganisms
such as fungi and bacteria break down pesticides and use them as a food source.
Most microbial activity occurs in the top 12 inches of soil.
The chemical structure of the pesticide also influences the ability of microorganisms to
break it down. In particular, compounds with chlorine in their structures resist
degradation and can persist in the environment for a long time.
This can be avoided or delayed by alternating types of pesticides used, spot-treating
and applying pesticides only when needed.
Chemical Degradation - ans-Chemical degradation of a pesticide involves reactions
that change its chemical bonds, reducing the pesticide's original structure into
less complex components.
Example: Hydrolysis (a chemical reaction that splits bonds and adds the elements of
water) in high pH (alkaline) soils or spray mixes.
Photodegradation - ans-Photodegradation is the breakdown of pesticides by the action
of sunlight.
How many pesticides have been found in Michigan's groundwater? - ans-Fifteen
pesticides have been detected in Michigan's groundwater.
Water table - ans-The top of the saturated zone (pores in ground completely filled
with water).
Aquifers - ans-Layers of rock, sand, gravel, silt or clay that contain groundwater.
Recharge areas - ans-Areas where water is seeping down to the water table are
called recharge areas
Discharge areas - ans-Areas where groundwater flows to the surface are called
discharge areas.
,How many pesticides are currently expected to require a pesticide state management
plan (PSMP)? - ans-Five pesticides are currently expected to require a PSMP:
alachlor, atrazine, cyanazine, metolachlor and simazine.
Pesticides are most likely to leach through soils that are... - ans-Very coarse (sandy or
gravelly), shallow (less than 20 inches), poorly drained or drought-prone.
When is the water table elevated the highest? - ans-Spring and fall generally are the
times of greatest groundwater recharge and, therefore, also of highest water table
elevations.
What is the environment? - ans-Environment is everything that surrounds us -
indoors and outdoors - including natural elements, man-made objects, people
and other living organisms.
Point-source pollution:
a. Comes from a specific, identifiable place.
b. Could be a pesticide spill that moves into a storm sewer. c. Comes from a wide area.
d. May be the movement of pesticides into streams after broadcast field applications.
e. a and b - ans-e. a and b
List some ways to prevent point-source pollution. - ans-Ways to avoid point-source
pollution include, for example:
a. Proper management of wash water and spills produced at equipment cleanup
sites.
b. Proper disposal of containers, water used to rinse containers and excess
pesticides.
c. Correctly cleaning up leaks and spills at pesticide storage sites.
d.Preventing pesticide spills while mixing concentrates or loading pesticides into
application equipment.
What environmental factors should you consider any time you accidentally or
intentionally release a pesticide into an environment? - ans-a. Whether there are
sensitive areas in the environment at the pesticide use site that might be harmed
by contact with the pesticide.
b. Whether there are sensitive off site areas near the use site that might be
harmed by contact with the pesticide.
c. Whether there are conditions in the immediate environment that might cause
the pesticide to move off site.
, d.Whether you can change any factors in your application or in the pesticide use
site to reduce the risk of environmental contamination.
What is a "sensitive area"?
a. Sites or living things in environments that are easily injured by a pesticide.
b. Schools, playgrounds, hospitals and other places where people are present.
c. Places where there are animals - endangered species, bees, other wildlife, livestock,
pets.
d.Places where crops, ornamental plants or other sensitive plants are growing.
e. All of the above. - ans-e. All of the above.
Droplet or particle size, height and direction of release are factors that influence whether
a pesticide will move off site in the air. (True or False?) - ans-True
Vapor drift is:
a. Pesticide particles, dusts and spray droplets carried away from the target site in the
air.
b. Less likely to occur from medium-textured soils with high moisture content.
c. When a pesticide is moved away from the treated area by air currents in a gaseous
state.
d. Visible from a short distance.
e. Not likely to occur when spray droplets are small and relative humidity is low. - ans-c.
When a pesticide is moved away from the treated area by air currents in a
gaseous state.
Pesticides with a high degree of water solubility have a greater potential for both
movement and water contamination. (True or False?) - ans-True
Pesticides that are strongly adsorbed to soils:
a. Are less likely to be carried from the treated area by surface water.
b. Are more likely to be leached.
c. Are not likely to be moved with soil erosion.
d.Stay in the soil longer, giving microbes more opportunity to degrade them.
e. None of the above. - ans-a. Are less likely to be carried from the treated area by
surface water.
_____________are more adsorptive than __________.
a. Sandy soils; clay soils.
b. Sandy soils; soils with high percentage of organic matter.
c. Soils high in organic matter or clay; sandy soils. - ans-c. Soils high in organic
matter or clay; sandy soils.
In structural settings, runoff water can flow into floor drains and into water systems.
(True or False?) - ans-True
