Part 3: The Pesticide Label

The Pesticide Label 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

Page 3-40 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Manual Key Questions About Pesticide Labels n What s on a pesticide label? n What is the difference between common, brand and chemical names for a pesticide? n Why is it important to always have the label handy whenever you use a pesticide? Why the Pesticide Label Is Important In this manual you will often be advised to read the label and follow the directions on the label. That s because so much important information on how to use a pesticide is found on the label. This information is the result of years of research and testing for each pesticide that is put on the market. A manufacturer may make and screen 7,500 compounds before finding one that can pass all the tests needed for a label to receive clearance from the U.S. EPA. These tests include the following: n Toxicological tests to determine possible health hazards to humans and animals. n Metabolism studies to see how long it takes a compound to break down into simple, less toxic materials. n Residue tests to find out how much of the pesticide or its breakdown products remain on farm products, such as crops, meat, milk, and eggs. n Soil movement tests to determine how long a pesticide stays in the soil and how it moves in the soil and groundwater. n Wildlife tests to determine the immediate and long-range effects on wildlife. n Performance tests to prove that the pesticide controls the pest and improves the quality and quantity of the crop. The EPA reviews these test results and determines whether to approve the pesticide. Once it is approved, the pesticide is registered. Information on the label and labeling must not differ from the information given to the EPA when the product was registered. The label is the information printed on or attached to the pesticide container or wrapper; labeling refers to the label plus all additional product information, such as brochures and flyers, provided by the manufacturer or dealer. Both the label and labeling are legally binding documents and must be followed exactly. State labels that is, special local needs and emergency labels should be in your hands at the time of application.

The Pesticide Label Page 3-41 Information on the Pesticide Label The pesticide label has several different parts. Below is an explanation of these parts. See the sample label on pages 3 8 to 3 18. Use of this label as a sample by the University of Minnesota Extension Service in no way implies endorsement of the product. Pesticide Name Pesticides go by several names. These are different types of names a pesticide may have. n Brand, trade, or product name: The name registered by a company for a specific pesticide formulation. Be very careful about choosing a pesticide product by brand name alone. Companies use the same name with minor variations for entirely different chemicals. For example: Tersan LSR is zinc and maneb, but Tersan 1991 is benomyl. n Common name: The name of the active ingredient in a pesticide. This name is approved and formally adopted by official agencies and societies. For example, carbaryl is the common name of the active ingredient in Sevin. n Chemical name: The chemical parts and structure of the active ingredient. The chemical name is usually listed following the common name. For example, on the Sevin label, the common name for the active ingredient, carbaryl, is followed by the chemical name (1-naphthyl N methyl carbamate). Type of Pesticide The type of pesticide is usually listed on the front of the label. It tells you in general terms what the product will control. Examples: Insecticide for control 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 is available in different formulations, for example, as a granule or as an emulsifiable concentrate. The instructions on the label are solely for the formulation in the container to which the label is attached. Some formulations are labeled for restricted use. Classification Restricted use pesticides are labeled with the restricted-use statement near the top on the front page of the label. Ingredient Statement The ingredient statement lists the name and percentage of the active ingredients and the percentage of the inert ingredients. The active ingredient is the chemical that does the job. The inert ingredients are the non-active ingredients added to the formulation (wetting agents, diluting

Page 3-42 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Manual substances, etc.). Application rates are based on the percentage of active ingredient. If the active ingredient is an acid, the rate is based on the acid equivalent percentage. This percentage is listed on the ingredient statement. In liquid formulations, there may also be a statement of the weight per gallon of active ingredient. Sometimes you ll need to calculate the rate to apply per acre based on the amount 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 field active ingredient per unit of product Example: 2 lb. active ingredient per acre 35 acres per field = 17.5 gallons per field 4 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 or gallons. 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, it may also be treated, but only if the application is to a crop, animal, or site that the label allows. n Method of application. For example, ground application or aerial application. n Amount. For example, the amount to use per treatment. n Geography. For example, certain states or regions listed on emergency labels (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 the material should be applied; how to incorporate it into the soil; the type of spray pattern; and other how-to-do-it information. Remember, it is illegal to apply any pesticide to crops, livestock, or sites not listed on the label. Specific information includes: n How much to use. This tells the application rate the weight or volume per acre or thousand feet of row, or the amount to mix in a given volume of water. It also tells if there is a limit on the number of treatments that

The Pesticide Label Page 3-43 can be given; this may appear in a separate limitations section on the label. n Method of application. This tells you whether to use a broadcast, band, furrow, foliage, or other type of application. An explanation of the different 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 after planting, at a certain stage of plant development, during a dormant period, 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 a separate limitations section of the label. These tell the minimum time that must pass between treatment and harvest. Warnings and Precautions This part of the label contains important safety information. It includes signal words and statements to warn you about dangers for humans and domestic animals. In some cases, the label may not contain certain warnings, but the absence of a warning does not rule out the need for safety precaution. All pesticide labels must include the statement: KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Listed below are other important safety warnings on pesticide labels. Signal words. Certain signal words are used to indicate how dangerous the pesticide is to humans. These words are: n DANGER/POISON. The product is highly hazardous just a taste to a teaspoonful taken by mouth can kill. There will also be a drawing of a skull and crossbones and the word poison printed in red. n DANGER. The product is highly hazardous due to either a severe skin or eye irritant or corrosive. n WARNING. The product is moderately hazardous as little as a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful by mouth could kill an average-sized adult. n CAUTION. The product is slightly hazardous an ounce to more than a pint taken by mouth could kill an adult. Further explanations of these signal words are given in Part 6 Pesticide Poisoning and Appendix C. Route of entry/hazards to humans statement. This part comes right after the signal words. It tells which route of entry (mouth, skin, lungs) you must take special care to protect. Many pesticides are hazardous by more than one route, so study this part of the label carefully. For example, a Danger/Poison signal word may be followed by one or all of the following statements: Fatal if swallowed;

Page 3-44 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Manual 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 to humans statement. This part of the label tells what to do to prevent poisoning accidents, for example, Do not breathe vapors or mist. Protective clothing and equipment. Some labels fully describe the protective clothing and equipment to use when handling the pesticide. Others may list some recommendations, for example, goggles, but may not mention important items like gloves. Some labels may not carry any statement at all. If the label has a statement, be sure to follow the advice given. But also check the signal word and the route of entry to decide if additional 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 if there are no warnings on the label. See Part 7 Safe Handling of Pesticides for 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 the medical treatment for poisoning emergencies. Some Warning and Caution labels may also have this information. Environmental hazards. This tells if the pesticide is especially hazardous for 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 the environment, 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 Part 5 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 are not located in the same place on all pesticide labels. Be sure to search the label for these statements before handling the pesticide. Re-entry intervals. This is the length of time that must pass before a person can enter the treated area without protective clothing. The safe reentry interval varies by the pesticide. Generally it is about 24 to 48 hours or until the pesticide dries or dusts have settled. The label may also state whether a field must be posted to warn people about re-entry limitations. At present, the EPA does not require re-entry intervals on most pesticide labels, but this may change in the future. Minnesota law now requires posting of a field for re-entry if a specific hourly or daily re-entry interval is listed on the label. Storage and disposal. This part explains how to store the pesticide, how to clean the equipment, and how to dispose of unused product. See Part 7 Safe Handling of Pesticides for more information.

The Pesticide Label Page 3-45 Registration and Establishment Numbers All pesticides must list the EPA registration number. This shows that the label has been approved by the federal government. In addition, there is an establishment number that indicates the specific manufacturing plant where the pesticide was made. The establishment number is important in case a product is recalled. The name and address of the manufacturer are also listed. Summary Pesticide labels include the label on the container and all supplementary labeling. Before buying, using, storing, or disposing of any pesticide, read the label carefully. Both the pesticide and all supplementary labeling are legally binding documents and must be followed exactly. All pesticides must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides must pass rigorous tests before being registered. Information on the pesticide label includes the name of the pesticide, the formulation, a restricted-use statement if applicable, a list of ingredients including percentage of active ingredients, net contents, directions for use, and warnings and precautions. It is essential to read and understand EVERY part of the pesticide label.

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