The Pesticide Label

Montana Pesticide Education & Safety Program

The Pesticide LabelWhat You Need To Ask!

The right chemical for the job? Correct conditions for safe

application? Will it control the target pest?

The Pesticide LabelWhat 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 documentMisuse could cause various problems

Why should I really care?The label is a legal documentApplying 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 lossFish killsNear fatal exposuresFatal exposuresFire 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

Ingredient Statement

Inert IngredientsListed as total percentage

in the product

Ingredient Statement

Active Ingredients

The part of the product that actually controls the pest(s)

Ingredient StatementActive 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 NamesBe careful, some products with:

Different brand names may have the same active ingredients

Example: Metsulfuron methyl is the active ingredient in:

Ally Escort 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

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 thanthe label allows

Applying without using PPEApplying 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

symbolPeligro (Spanish for “danger”

must also appear on the label)

Indicates the product is highly toxic by any route of entry

Signal Words

DANGERIndicates that the product has a

high potential to irritate skin and eyes

Signal Words

WARNINGProduct is moderately toxicCan also cause slight eye or skin

irritation

Signal Words

CAUTIONHarmful if swallowed or inhaledMay irritate eyes, nose, throat,

and skin

EPA Registration Number

Not an endorsement by the EPAIndicates that the product has

passed all tests required by EPAHuman health testingEnvironmental testingWildlife 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 madeImportant if it is ever necessary to

recall the productIncludes abbreviation of state of

origin

Emergency Number

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

Emergency NumberNew 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 toiletUsers 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 corrosiveOxidizer

Chemical Hazards

IncompatibilitiesDo not mix, store, or apply this

product or spray solutions of thisproduct in galvanized steel or unlined steel (except stainlesssteel)

Storage and Disposal

Storage: Store above 10OF (12oC) to keep product from crystallizing. Crystals will settle to the bottom. If allowed to crystallize, place in a warm room (68oF or 20oC) 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 controlWhat crops it can be used on

Directions for Use

Annual Maximum RatePrecautions and restrictions Mixing instructionsCalibration

Worker Protection Standards (WPS)

Within the Agricultural Use Requirements box you will findRestricted entry

interval (REI)Early entry PPE

requirementsWorker 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.

ReviewNet

Contents

Review

Signal Word

Review

Emergency Info.

Review

Storage and

Disposal