Questions and Answers
Describe the main purpose of a pesticide label and its legal implications for an
applicator. - Answer- it is the main method of communication between pesticide
manufacturers and applicators. it is a legally binding document that you must follow
Describe the difference between the terms "labels" and "labeling." - Answer- label is the
information printed on or attached to the pesticide container itself. labeling includes the
label itself plus all other information about the product referenced on the label and given
when you buy the product
List the 5 times when you should read the relevant parts of a label. - Answer- 1) before
you buy product, to make sure it is the best choice for the pest you wish to control and
that the product is labeled for the site where you need to use it
2) before you store the product
3) before you mix and use the product, to be sure you apply it safely, effectively, and at
the proper rate
4) before you clean pesticide application equipment
5) before you dispose of the product and/or its container
Outline the kinds of information you can find on a label. - Answer- restricted-use
statement, trade name, ingredient statement, net contents, inert ingredients, safety
information, signal words, EPA reregistration number
List the signal words that you may find on a pesticide label. - Answer- danger-poison,
danger, warning, caution
Define what a signal word is and how it relates to the relative toxicity of a pesticide. -
Answer- indicates the relative acute toxicity of the product to humans and animals.
Explain what to do if state laws are more strict than label directions. - Answer- -the state
law supercdedes (overrules) the label directions
Explain which directions you should follow when a product's label has changed. -
Answer- use the product according to the label that came with it
Compare the types of information you can find on a pesticide label and its SDS sheet. -
Answer- the SDS contains more detailed and technical information than the label about
, the product's chemical and physical properties, toxicological and ecological information,
first-aid procedures, and emergency response
Define the terms risk, toxicity and exposure and explain how they relate to the potential
for pesticides to cause harm to people. - Answer- -Risk: measure of the likelihood that a
person will be harmed by a pesticide and its particular use
-Toxicity: measure of the ability of a pesticide to cause injury
-Exposure: when pesticide comes in contact with you thorugh skin, ingestion, or
inhalation.
-Risk = Toxicity x Exposure
Distinguish between, and give examples of, local effects and systemic effects of
pesticides. - Answer- local effects are those that occur at the area of contact with skin,
eyes, or respiratory tract. systemic or system-wide effects if absorbed and circulated
throughout your body
List the four routes that pesticides can enter your body. - Answer- dermal, oral,
inhalation, and eye
Give examples of work habits that lead to pesticide exposure via these four routes. -
Answer- not wearing protective clothing, not washing hands, rubbing eyes, not wearing
eye protection, drinking form unlabeled containers containing pesticide, handling dusts
or powders, being exposed to spray or dust drift
Explain how a pesticide's formulation, and body part exposed, affects how much
pesticide is absorbed through the skin. - Answer- your skin absorbs oil-based
formulations most easily, other can be absorbed through cuts and scrapes as well.
areas that are moist tend to absorb more quickly as well
Define the term "formulation " - Answer- The combination of an active ingredient with
other ingredients is refered to as a formulation
Describe the functions of active and other ingredients. - Answer- Active ingredient target
the pest directly when applied
Other ingredients fill in addition to help make the the product more useful and effective
Explain the information about formulations you might find on a pesticide label. - Answer-
The amount of active ingredient (a.i.) and the kind of formulation are listed on the
product label
List things to consider when choosing among different formulations. - Answer- Look for
suffix
Ex. Tempo ultra "WP" tells you the product is formulated as a wettable powder.