https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
WASHINGTON PESTICIDE LAWS AND SAFETY: LABEL
INTERPRETATION, FIRST AID, AND PESTICIDE CATEGORIES Original
Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Pesticide Label Interpretation (Questions)
1. What is the legal status of the pesticide label?
A. It is a suggestion only
B. It is a legal document; using a pesticide in any way
inconsistent with the label is a violation of law
C. It is only for commercial applicators
D. It is optional reading
Answer: B
Rationale: The pesticide label is legally binding under
FIFRA and Washington law. Any use inconsistent with
label directions—including application to unlisted sites, at
higher rates, or without required PPE—is a violation.
2. Where on the pesticide label would you find the signal
word?
A. At the bottom of the label
B. On the front panel, usually near the product name
C. In the storage section
D. It is not on the label
Answer: B
Rationale: The signal word (Caution, Warning, or Danger-
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
Poison) appears prominently on the front panel of the
label to alert users to the product's acute toxicity.
3. What does the signal word "CAUTION" indicate about a
pesticide's toxicity?
A. Highly toxic (Category I)
B. Moderately toxic (Category II)
C. Slightly toxic or relatively non-toxic (Category III or IV)
D. No toxicity
Answer: C
Rationale: "CAUTION" indicates the pesticide is slightly
toxic (Category III) or very low toxicity (Category IV).
These products pose the least acute risk among labeled
pesticides.
4. What does the signal word "DANGER-POISON" with a skull
and crossbones indicate?
A. The pesticide is flammable
B. The pesticide is highly toxic by any route of exposure
(Category I)
C. The pesticide is only toxic to fish
D. The pesticide is safe
Answer: B
Rationale: "DANGER-POISON" with the skull and
crossbones indicates Category I (highly toxic). These
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
products can cause severe injury or death from small
exposures through skin, mouth, or inhalation.
5. What does the signal word "DANGER" without a skull and
crossbones indicate?
A. The pesticide is highly toxic by ingestion
B. The pesticide is a severe eye or skin irritant (corrosive)
C. The pesticide is not toxic
D. The pesticide is only flammable
Answer: B
Rationale: "DANGER" without the skull and crossbones
indicates the product can cause severe skin or eye
damage (corrosive) but is not highly toxic by ingestion,
inhalation, or dermal absorption.
6. What information is found in the "Precautionary
Statements" section of the pesticide label?
A. Only the price
B. Hazards to humans and domestic animals, including first
aid, PPE requirements, and environmental hazards
C. Only the mixing instructions
D. Only the storage temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Precautionary Statements include "Hazards to
Humans and Domestic Animals" (with first aid), "Personal
WASHINGTON PESTICIDE LAWS AND SAFETY: LABEL
INTERPRETATION, FIRST AID, AND PESTICIDE CATEGORIES Original
Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Pesticide Label Interpretation (Questions)
1. What is the legal status of the pesticide label?
A. It is a suggestion only
B. It is a legal document; using a pesticide in any way
inconsistent with the label is a violation of law
C. It is only for commercial applicators
D. It is optional reading
Answer: B
Rationale: The pesticide label is legally binding under
FIFRA and Washington law. Any use inconsistent with
label directions—including application to unlisted sites, at
higher rates, or without required PPE—is a violation.
2. Where on the pesticide label would you find the signal
word?
A. At the bottom of the label
B. On the front panel, usually near the product name
C. In the storage section
D. It is not on the label
Answer: B
Rationale: The signal word (Caution, Warning, or Danger-
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
Poison) appears prominently on the front panel of the
label to alert users to the product's acute toxicity.
3. What does the signal word "CAUTION" indicate about a
pesticide's toxicity?
A. Highly toxic (Category I)
B. Moderately toxic (Category II)
C. Slightly toxic or relatively non-toxic (Category III or IV)
D. No toxicity
Answer: C
Rationale: "CAUTION" indicates the pesticide is slightly
toxic (Category III) or very low toxicity (Category IV).
These products pose the least acute risk among labeled
pesticides.
4. What does the signal word "DANGER-POISON" with a skull
and crossbones indicate?
A. The pesticide is flammable
B. The pesticide is highly toxic by any route of exposure
(Category I)
C. The pesticide is only toxic to fish
D. The pesticide is safe
Answer: B
Rationale: "DANGER-POISON" with the skull and
crossbones indicates Category I (highly toxic). These
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
products can cause severe injury or death from small
exposures through skin, mouth, or inhalation.
5. What does the signal word "DANGER" without a skull and
crossbones indicate?
A. The pesticide is highly toxic by ingestion
B. The pesticide is a severe eye or skin irritant (corrosive)
C. The pesticide is not toxic
D. The pesticide is only flammable
Answer: B
Rationale: "DANGER" without the skull and crossbones
indicates the product can cause severe skin or eye
damage (corrosive) but is not highly toxic by ingestion,
inhalation, or dermal absorption.
6. What information is found in the "Precautionary
Statements" section of the pesticide label?
A. Only the price
B. Hazards to humans and domestic animals, including first
aid, PPE requirements, and environmental hazards
C. Only the mixing instructions
D. Only the storage temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Precautionary Statements include "Hazards to
Humans and Domestic Animals" (with first aid), "Personal
