The Pesticide Label Montana Pesticide Education & Safety Program

The Pesticide Label What You Need To Ask! The right chemical for the job? Correct conditions for safe application? Will it control the target pest?

The Pesticide Label What You Need To Ask! Do I have the proper protective equipment (PPE)? How much should I use?

Questions the label doesn’t answer directly... What does all of this information really mean? Why should I really care? It’s a legal document Misuse could cause various problems

Why should I really care? The label is a legal document Applying a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the label is illegal “I didn’t know it said that” not a good defense if you misuse a pesticide

It is a violation of Federal law to use this pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

I’m an experienced applicator… I’m too busy… I’ve used this product for years… Common excuses for not reading the label

I’ve used this product for years… Labels Change! Re-registration of products under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)

Problems caused by not reading and following the label Crop loss Fish kills Near fatal exposures Fatal exposures Fire and explosions

Use Classification Statement Two types of classification Restricted Use General Use

Use Classification Statement Restricted Use: For sale to, and for use only by, certified applicators or applicators under the direct supervision of a certified applicator

Net Contents Front panel of labels shows how much product is in container Liquid formulations may list the pounds of active ingredient per gallon of product

Ingredient Statement Active Ingredients: Inert Ingredients:

Ingredient Statement

Inert Ingredients Listed as total percentage in the product

Ingredient Statement Active Ingredients The part of the product that actually controls the pest(s)

Ingredient Statement Active Ingredient: Each active ingredient must be listed by individual percentage

Active Ingredients Many active ingredients are given a common name Only common names accepted by the EPA may be used on the label

Active Ingredients Official common name is usually followed by the chemical name in the list of active ingredients

Trade, Brand, or Product Names Companies register trade names as a trademark The same active ingredient may be sold under different trade names

Trade or Brand Names Be careful, some products with: Different brand names may have the same active ingredients Example: Metsulfuron methyl is the active ingredient in: AllyEscort Cimarron (1 of 3)

Does this mean that I can substitute these products for each other ? Only if the label allows!

Does this mean that I can substitute these products for each other ? Only if the label allows: Poison Hemlock in non- crop areas? Only Escort

Can I substitute these products for each other to control aquatic weeds ? Same active ingredient: ?? Glyphosate

Environmental Hazards: Do not apply directly to water, or areas where surface water is present, or intertidal areas below the mean high water mark. Do not contaminate water when cleaning equipment or disposing of equipment wash water. Same active ingredient: ?? Glyphosate Do not apply directly to water,

Brand Name can often include: The percent of active ingredient incorporated into the product name Type of pesticide Trade, Brand, or Product Names

The following pesticide applications are considered off label and therefore are illegal: Applying above the highest dose rate Applying more frequently than the label allows Applying without using PPE Applying to a site that is not on the label

Signal Words The word on the label that tells the potential hazards of the product Danger Poison w/ skull & Crossbones Danger Warning Caution

Signal Words DANGER-POISON with a skull and crossbones symbol Peligro (Spanish for “danger” must also appear on the label) Indicates the product is highly toxic by any route of entry

Signal Words DANGER Indicates that the product has a high potential to irritate skin and eyes

Signal Words WARNING Product is moderately toxic Can also cause slight eye or skin irritation

Signal Words CAUTION Harmful if swallowed or inhaled May irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin

EPA Registration Number Not an endorsement by the EPA Indicates that the product has passed all tests required by EPA Human health testing Environmental testing Wildlife toxicities

EPA Registration Number If a product contains an active ingredient on EPA’s 25B list, no EPA registration number is required 25B list contains 31 active ingredients that are “non-toxic” i.e., Mint oil, dried blood, citronella

EPA Establishment Number Tells where that product was made Important if it is ever necessary to recall the product Includes abbreviation of state of origin

Emergency Number Contact number in the event of human exposure, spill, accident, or environmental exposure

Emergency Number New national poison center number

Personal Protective Equipment Tells applicators what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn to minimize exposure Often different for different tasks

Precautionary Statements Other precautions that should be followed when handling the product Common sense practices to minimize exposure to applicators, the environment and others who may come in contact with the treated area

User Safety Recommendations: Users should wash hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet Users should remove clothing immediately if pesticide gets inside. Then wash thoroughly and put on clean clothing. Users should remove PPE immediately after handling this product. Wash the outside of gloves before removing. As soon as possible, wash thoroughly and change into clean clothing.

Chemical Hazards Combustible Do not store near heat or open flame. Highly corrosive Oxidizer

Chemical Hazards Incompatibilities Do not mix, store, or apply this product or spray solutions of this product in galvanized steel or unlined steel (except stainless steel)

Storage and Disposal Storage: Store above 10 O F (12 o C) to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room (68 o F or 20 o C) for several days to allow crystals to redissolve, then shake before using.

Directions for Use Guidelines for use of the product What pests it will control What crops it can be used on

Directions for Use Annual Maximum Rate Precautions and restrictions Mixing instructions Calibration

Worker Protection Standards (WPS) Within the Agricultural Use Requirements box you will find Restricted entry interval (REI) Early entry PPE requirements Worker notification

Use this product in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR part 170. This standard contains requirements for the protection of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses, and handlers of agricultural pesticides. It contains requirements for training, decontamination, notification and emergency assistance. It also contains specific instructions and exceptions pertaining to the statements of this label about personal protective equipment and restricted entry interval. The requirements in this box only apply to uses of this product that are covered by the Worker Protection Standard. Agricultural Use Requirements

Do not enter or allow worker entry into treated areas during the restricted-entry interval (REI) of 4 hours. PPE required for early entry to treated areas that is permitted under the Worker Protection Standard and that involves contact with anything that has been treated, such as plants, soil, or water, is: coveralls, chemical resistant gloves Category A, shoes plus socks. Notify workers of the application by warning them orally and by posting warning signs at entrances to treated areas. Agricultural Use Requirements

Review Trade Name

Review Ingredient Statement

Review WPS

Review EPA Reg. and Est. No.

Review Net Contents

Review Signal Word

Review Emergency Info.

Review Storage and Disposal