PRIVATE GENERAL FARM LABEL PRESENTATION SCRIPT Slide 2: The pesticide label is often the only communication between a pesticide manufacturer and the end user. To be certain that the applicator has all of the information needed to safely apply a pesticide, the pesticide and its label are registered by the EPA. The label includes how to handle a product, what the risks are, and how to minimize those risks. To properly use any pesticide product you must follow label instructions exactly and abide by all state requirements regulating the use of that product. Slide 3: Label and Labeling The label is the information printed on or attached as booklets to the product container. The term labeling, on the other hand, includes the label itself plus all other information to which the label makes reference, or that is given to you at the time of purchase. One example of labeling information that agricultural pesticide product labels refer to is the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Because both the label and labeling are legally binding documents, we will use the term label to include all such documents. Slide 4: Required Reading The label instructs users on how to safely and legally use the product, it should go without saying that you must read the label! The time to read the label are: Before you buy the product to determine whether there are any restrictions that would prohibit its use at your intended application site or to identify if it is the right product for the job. Before you store it to find out whether you must protect it from freezing. Before you mix and apply the pesticide to learn of any precautions you must take to prevent exposure to people and nontarget organisms. Before you clean pesticide application equipment to make sure how to properly clean the equipment before switching to different crops or pesticide products. And again before you dispose of unwanted pesticide or its container to learn how to clean empty containers or who to contact for disposal information.
Slide 5: Label Statements When reading labels, you ll come across statements that direct users to either take or avoid certain actions. One type of statement is a mandatory statement that is a statement that applicators must follow when using the pesticide. A mandatory statement on the AAtrex label is, This product must not be mixed/loaded, or used within 50 feet of all wells, including abandoned wells, drainage wells, and sink holes. Manufacturers may also add optional advisory statements such as Thorough coverage is essential to achieve control. Although, it makes sense to get the best possible coverage of the foliage for good weed control, it would not be in violation of the label if your coverage wasn t thorough. Statements that contain the word recommended, are also not required by law. You are not required by law to prepare a new tank mix according to the Aatrex label but it is probably a good idea to do so. Slide 6: Pesticide Use Although pesticide applicators generally read the directions for use section to find out what rate to apply the product, use is not limited only to application, it includes many other handling activities such as mixing, loading, storing, as well as disposing of pesticide waste. These other uses will be discussed in more detail throughout this training session Slide 7: Main Components of the Label There is no standard label format, but all pesticide labels will have: Identifying information, Safety information, Environmental information, and Use information. The use information tends to be the bulk of the label. During the remainder of this presentation, we ll highlight some of this information by using the sample label located in Appendix C (Page 220) in the back of your training manual. Be prepared to answer some questions using this label.
Slide 8: AAtrex 4L Label Please refer to the AAtrex label in the back of your manual for the following slides. Oh, and questions will be asked. Slide 9: Restricted Use Statement At the very top of the label s front panel is the restricted use statement. It is this statement that requires you to become a certified applicator before you may buy or use the product. Remember, although federal law allows direct supervision of individuals applying restricted use pesticides, Wisconsin does not. Why is AAtrex a Restricted Use Pesticide? Slide 10: Restricted Use Statement ANSWER: The active ingredient, atrazine is a surface and ground water concern. A release of this product either due to an accident or negligence can introduce atrazine into the drinking water.
Slide 11: Trade Name The trade name is the name given to the product that has marketing appeal. In our example the products trade name is, AAtrex 4L. Many pesticide trade names will also include the amount of active ingredient present and its type of formulation; AAtrex 4L indicates that has 4 lb ai per gallon in a liquid formulation. Slide 12: Registration Number The EPA registration number is given to identify a specific pesticide product and indicates that federal registration requirements have been met. No pesticide product may be sold or distributed in the US unless it is registered by the EPA. The product s registration number is also a required component of your application record. Exceptions to this requirement are specific products called Minimum Risk Products. An example of this is neem oil for the control of aphids. What is AAtrex s EPA Registration number? Slide 13: Registration Number AAtrex s EPA Registration Number is 100 497. It is this number that has to be recorded in your pesticide application records.
Slide 14: Ingredient Statement The ingredient statement must list the name and the percentage by weight of each active ingredient. The accepted common name, if it has one, is listed first, usually followed by the chemical name. By purchasing pesticides according to common or chemical names, you will be certain of getting the correct active ingredient regardless of the trade name. The percentage of inert ingredients is also listed as part of the ingredient statement. Inert ingredients allow active ingredients to be formulated into different products. Formulations influence a product s handling properties, method of application, application rate, residual activity, and toxicity. What percent of AAtrex is atrazine? Slide 15: Ingredient Statement AAtrex has 42.6% atrazine. This works out to 4 lb atrazine per gallon of AAtrex. Slide 16: Ingredient Statement A product s toxicity determines its signal word. This is a one word summary of the product s potential acute toxicity to humans. The three signal words, in decreasing order of acute toxicity, are Danger (highly toxic), Warning (moderately toxic), and Caution (slightly toxic to relatively nontoxic). What is the relative toxicity of AAtrex?
Slide 17: Ingredient Statement The AATrex label s signal word is Caution. So AAtrex s potential acute toxicity is slightly toxic to relatively nontoxic to humans. Slide 18: First Aid Statement The First Aid statement provides instructions to persons at the scene of a pesticide poisoning. The AAtrex label provides first aid instructions for all four routes of pesticide entry into the body. It also provides emergency contact numbers to use in the event of a poisoning. If medical treatment is necessary, take a copy of its label or Material Safety Data Sheet with you. Slide 19: First Aid Statement If swallowed, should you induce vomiting? [Pause] No, the label states not to induce vomiting unless told to do so by the poison control center or a doctor. Slide 20: PPE Statement The personal protective equipment or PPE statement lists the specialized clothing and equipment you must wear to reduce your potential exposure to a pesticide. The AAtrex label gives several examples of the type of glove you must wear when handling this product. A decision not to wear personal protective equipment is both unwise and a violation of label instructions. If all you had were neoprene rubber gloves, would you be in compliance with the PPE requirements?
Slide 21: PPE Statement Neoprene rubber gloves are suitable. The AAtrex label allows users to wear other types of chemical resistant gloves. Some labels refer to a category of the EPA chemical resistance category selection chart. Although this chart is not included on pesticide labels, many labels make reference to it. It is another example of labeling information. The complete chart can be found in the chapter, Protecting Yourself, in your training manual. Slide 22: Environmental Protection Statement The AAtrex label warns users NOT to: Apply directly to water, or to areas where surface water is present, or to intertidal areas below the mean high water mark. Applicators should also not contaminate water when disposing of equipment washwaters. Slide 23: Application Instructions As with most pesticides, the Directions for Use make up the bulk of the AAtrex label. In this section you will find information on application rates, what crops or areas for which the product is registered, the timing of application to crop growth stage, tank mix combinations, mixing instructions, and the methods of application. Read all portions of the label under the Directions for Use that are pertinent to your intended use and application.
Slide 24: Application Instructions Let s take a closer look at the product label. Refer to the AAtrex label in the back of your manual to answer the following question. You want to control some lambsquarter preemergence in no till on soils that are not highly erodible. How much per acre can you apply in pints. Slide 25: Application Instructions You can apply up to 4 pts of AAtrex to control lambsquarter. How many lb active of atrazine is that? Slide 26: Agricultural Use Requirements For an agricultural pesticide like AAtrex, the Agricultural Use Requirements box tells you to use the product only in accordance with its labeling and with the Worker Protection Standard. It is in this box that you will find the restricted entry interval the number of hours that you are required to keep people out of the treated areas. It is also in this box that you will find whether you need to post that a site has been treated with appropriate signs. Because there is no posting statement on the AAtrex label, posting of the treated site is not required. What is the REI period for AAtrex?
Slide 27: Agricultural Use Requirements The REI for AAtrex is 12 hours. If you or other applicators must enter the treated area before the REI has expired the appropriate precautions including the required personal protection equipment (PPE). Slide 28: Non Agricultural Use Requirements Remember, that some agricultural products are also registered for nonagricultural uses. For such products, separate and different restricted entry intervals and posting requirements may be found elsewhere on the label for the non agricultural uses. Slide 29: Violations of Federal Law Every label will have the statement It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. However,...
Slide 30: Allowed Label Deviations......federal law does allow you to deviate from label directions in any of the following four ways provided the label itself does not prohibit you from doing so: Applying a pesticide at a lower rate, lower concentration, or lower frequency than that specified on the label; Applying a pesticide against any target pest not listed on the label if the application is to the labeled site; Using any method of application; or Mixing two or more pesticides, or a pesticide or pesticides with a fertilizer, when such mixture is not mentioned on the label. No deviations, other than those mentioned, can legally be made from label directions. Keep in mind that if any problems result because of label deviations, you alone are liable for the results. Slide 31: Old and New Labels, Which to Follow A common question is, Which label shall I follow? The label on the product I already own or the new label that just recently came out? The correct answer is to follow the label on the container of the product that you intend to use. Slide 32: MSDS It s important to know that every pesticide also will have a Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS. These sheets provide more detailed and technical information than the label about the product s physical and chemical properties. It also contains information regarding cleanup, transporting, regulatory information, spill response and more. You should never use a MSDS instead of a pesticide label. However, you will sometimes need to refer to the MSDS to determine how to legally transport a pesticide or dispose of its waste.
Slide 33: Summary The pesticide label, in combination with its Material Safety Data Sheet and other labeling, provide important information the proper use and potential hazards associated with each pesticide. You will be better prepared to effectively control pest populations and avoid harmful effects if you read and understand the pesticide label. UW Extension Pesticide Applicator Training Program 608 262 7588 patprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu gnice@wisc.edu