Why the Pesticide Label Is Important Information on the ...€¦ · The Pesticide Label Page 3-39...

The Pest i c ide Labe l Page 3 - 39

Part 3:The Pesticide Label

What�s in this Chapter:

Why the Pesticide Label Is Important

Information on the Pesticide Label

Sample Label

P a g e 3 - 4 0 P r i v a t e P e s t i c i d e A p p l i c a t o r T r a i n i n g M a n u a l

Key Questions About PesticideLabels

n What’s on a pesticide label?

n What is the difference between common, brand and chemical names fora pesticide?

n Why is it important to always have the label handy whenever you use apesticide?

Why the Pesticide Label IsImportant

In this manual you will often be advised to “read the label” and “follow thedirections on the label.” That’s because so much important information onhow to use a pesticide is found on the label.

This information is the result of years of research and testing for eachpesticide that is put on the market. A manufacturer may make and screen7,500 compounds before finding one that can pass all the tests needed for alabel to receive clearance from the U.S. EPA. These tests include thefollowing:

n Toxicological tests to determine possible health hazards to humans andanimals.

n Metabolism studies to see how long it takes a compound to break downinto simple, less toxic materials.

n Residue tests to find out how much of the pesticide or its breakdownproducts remain on farm products, such as crops, meat, milk, and eggs.

n Soil movement tests to determine how long a pesticide stays in the soiland how it moves in the soil and groundwater.

n Wildlife tests to determine the immediate and long-range effects onwildlife.

n Performance tests to prove that the pesticide controls the pest andimproves the quality and quantity of the crop.

The EPA reviews these test results and determines whether to approve thepesticide. Once it is approved, the pesticide is registered.

Information on the label and labeling must not differ from the informationgiven to the EPA when the product was registered. The label is theinformation printed on or attached to the pesticide container or wrapper;labeling refers to the label plus all additional product information, such asbrochures and flyers, provided by the manufacturer or dealer. Both thelabel and labeling are legally binding documents and must be followedexactly.

State labels—that is, special local needs and emergency labels—should bein your hands at the time of application.

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Information on the PesticideLabel

The pesticide label has several different parts. Below is an explanation ofthese parts. See the sample label on pages 3 – 8 to 3 – 18. Use of this labelas a sample by the University of Minnesota Extension Service in no wayimplies endorsement of the product.

Pesticide Name

Pesticides go by several names. These are different types of names apesticide may have.

n Brand, trade, or product name: The name registered by a company for aspecific pesticide formulation. Be very careful about choosing a pesticideproduct by brand name alone. Companies use the same name withminor variations for entirely different chemicals. For example: TersanLSR is zinc and maneb, but Tersan 1991 is benomyl.

n Common name: The name of the active ingredient in a pesticide. Thisname is approved and formally adopted by official agencies and societies.For example, carbaryl is the common name of the active ingredient inSevin.

n Chemical name: The chemical parts and structure of the activeingredient. The chemical name is usually listed following the commonname. For example, on the Sevin label, the common name for the activeingredient, carbaryl, is followed by the chemical name (1-naphthyl Nmethyl carbamate).

Type of Pesticide

The type of pesticide is usually listed on the front of the label. It tells you ingeneral terms what the product will control. Examples: “Insecticide forcontrol of certain insects on fruits, nuts, or ornamentals;” “Soil fungicide;”“Herbicide for control of trees, brush, and weeds.”

Formulation

Pesticides come in many formulations. Sometimes the same pesticide isavailable in different formulations, for example, as a granule or as anemulsifiable concentrate. The instructions on the label are solely for theformulation in the container to which the label is attached. Someformulations are labeled for restricted use.

Classification

Restricted use pesticides are labeled with the restricted-use statementnear the top on the front page of the label.

Ingredient Statement

The ingredient statement lists the name and percentage of the activeingredients and the percentage of the inert ingredients. The activeingredient is the chemical that does the job. The inert ingredients are thenon-active ingredients added to the formulation (wetting agents, diluting


substances, etc.).

Application rates are based on the percentage of active ingredient. If theactive ingredient is an acid, the rate is based on the acid equivalentpercentage. This percentage is listed on the ingredient statement. Inliquid formulations, there may also be a statement of the weight per gallonof active ingredient.

Sometimes you’ll need to calculate the rate to apply per acre based on theamount of active ingredient in the product. Here is the formula to use:

pounds of active ingredient per acre × acres per field = amount of product per fieldactive ingredient per unit of product

Example:

2 lb. active ingredient per acre × 35 acres per field = 17.5 gallons per field4 lb. active ingredient per gallon

Net Contents

The net contents shows the amount of the formulation in the containers.It may be listed by weight, as pounds or ounces; or by volume, in pints orgallons.

Directions for Use

This part contains both general and specific information.

The general statement usually gives the following information:

n The crops, livestock, or sites to be treated.

n The pests to be controlled. If an unlisted pest is found on the site, itmay also be treated, but only if the application is to a crop, animal, orsite that the label allows.

n Method of application. For example, ground application or aerialapplication.

n Amount. For example, the amount to use per treatment.

n Geography. For example, certain states or regions listed on emergencylabels (special local need labels).

n Time. For example, the interval between treatment and harvest.

n Wildlife. For example, endangered species.

n Incompatibilities with other pesticides.

n How to mix and apply. What equipment to use; whether to agitate;whether to mix the pesticide with oil or water; when and where thematerial should be applied; how to incorporate it into the soil; the type ofspray pattern; and other how-to-do-it information.

Remember, it is illegal to apply any pesticide to crops, livestock, or sites not listed on thelabel.

Specific information includes:

n How much to use. This tells the application rate—the weight or volumeper acre or thousand feet of row, or the amount to mix in a given volumeof water. It also tells if there is a limit on the number of treatments that

The Pest i c ide Labe l Page 3 -43

can be given; this may appear in a separate limitations section on thelabel.

n Method of application. This tells you whether to use a broadcast, band,furrow, foliage, or other type of application. An explanation of thedifferent methods of application is given in Part 8—Equipment:Selecting, Calibrating, Cleaning.

n When to apply. This tells when to apply the pesticide—before or afterplanting, at a certain stage of plant development, during a dormantperiod, etc. Common terms used in the timing of application include:

Preplant. Applying the pesticide before planting

Preemergence. Applying the pesticide before the seedlings come up

Postemergence. Applying the pesticide after the seedlings come up

Preharvest intervals may also be given here, or they may appear in aseparate limitations section of the label. These tell the minimum timethat must pass between treatment and harvest.

Warnings and Precautions

This part of the label contains important safety information. It includessignal words and statements to warn you about dangers for humans anddomestic animals. In some cases, the label may not contain certainwarnings, but the absence of a warning does not rule out the need forsafety precaution.

All pesticide labels must include the statement: KEEP OUT OF THE REACHOF CHILDREN. Listed below are other important safety warnings onpesticide labels.

Signal words. Certain signal words are used to indicate how dangerous thepesticide is to humans. These words are:

n DANGER/POISON. The product is highly hazardous—just a taste to ateaspoonful taken by mouth can kill. There will also be a drawing of askull and crossbones and the word “poison” printed in red.

n DANGER. The product is highly hazardous due to either a severe skin oreye irritant or corrosive.

n WARNING. The product is moderately hazardous—as little as ateaspoonful to a tablespoonful by mouth could kill an average-sized adult.

n CAUTION. The product is slightly hazardous—an ounce to more than apint taken by mouth could kill an adult.

Further explanations of these signal words are given in Part 6—PesticidePoisoning and Appendix C.

Route of entry/hazards to humans statement. This part comes rightafter the signal words. It tells which route of entry (mouth, skin, lungs) youmust take special care to protect. Many pesticides are hazardous by morethan one route, so study this part of the label carefully. For example, aDanger/Poison signal word may be followed by one or all of the followingstatements:

Fatal if swallowed;


Poisonous if inhaled;Extremely hazardous by skin contact—rapidly absorbed through skin;

Corrosive—causes eye damage and severe skin burns.

Specific action statements come right after the route of entry/hazard tohumans statement. This part of the label tells what to do to preventpoisoning accidents, for example, “Do not breathe vapors or mist.”

Protective clothing and equipment. Some labels fully describe theprotective clothing and equipment to use when handling the pesticide.Others may list some recommendations, for example, goggles, but may notmention important items like gloves. Some labels may not carry anystatement at all. If the label has a statement, be sure to follow the advicegiven. But also check the signal word and the route of entry to decide ifadditional protection is necessary.

Safe handling. Labels often list precautions for safe handling, for example:Do not contaminate food or feed.

Wash thoroughly after handling and before eating and smoking.

Applicators should always take care to handle all pesticides safely even ifthere are no warnings on the label. See Part 7—Safe Handling of Pesticidesfor more information.

First aid. This part tells what to do in case of poisoning, for example:If swallowed, drink large quantities of milk, egg white, or water—do not induce vomiting.

All Danger/Poison labels contain a note to physicians describing themedical treatment for poisoning emergencies. Some Warning and Cautionlabels may also have this information.

Environmental hazards. This tells if the pesticide is especially hazardousfor fish, wildlife or other nontarget organisms, for example:

This product is highly toxic to bees.

Also, there are usually warnings on how to avoid contaminating theenvironment, for example:

Do not apply when runoff is likely to occur.Do not allow drift on desirable plants or trees.

If these statements do not appear, still take proper precautions. See Part5—Protecting the Environment for more information.

Physical or chemical hazards. This part will tell you of any special fire,explosion, or chemical hazards, for example:

Flammable—do not use, pour, spill, or store near heat or open flame.

This information and the information about environmental hazards arenot located in the same place on all pesticide labels. Be sure to search thelabel for these statements before handling the pesticide.

Re-entry intervals. This is the length of time that must pass before aperson can enter the treated area without protective clothing. The safe re-entry interval varies by the pesticide. Generally it is about 24 to 48 hoursor until the pesticide dries or dusts have settled. The label may also statewhether a field must be posted to warn people about re-entry limitations. Atpresent, the EPA does not require re-entry intervals on most pesticidelabels, but this may change in the future. Minnesota law now requiresposting of a field for re-entry if a specific hourly or daily re-entry interval islisted on the label.

Storage and disposal. This part explains how to store the pesticide, how toclean the equipment, and how to dispose of unused product. See Part 7—Safe Handling of Pesticides for more information.


Registration and Establishment Numbers

All pesticides must list the EPA registration number. This shows that thelabel has been approved by the federal government. In addition, there is anestablishment number that indicates the specific manufacturing plantwhere the pesticide was made. The establishment number is important incase a product is recalled. The name and address of the manufacturer arealso listed.

Summary

Pesticide labels include the label on the container and all supplementarylabeling. Before buying, using, storing, or disposing of any pesticide, readthe label carefully. Both the pesticide and all supplementary labeling arelegally binding documents and must be followed exactly.

All pesticides must be registered with the Environmental ProtectionAgency. Pesticides must pass rigorous tests before being registered.

Information on the pesticide label includes the name of the pesticide, theformulation, a restricted-use statement if applicable, a list of ingredientsincluding percentage of active ingredients, net contents, directions for use,and warnings and precautions. It is essential to read and understandEVERY part of the pesticide label.

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