Chapter 3 Study Guide — Pesticide Labeling

Vocabulary-style flashcards based on the Chapter 3 study guide for pesticide labeling, including regulatory terms, label parts, and signal words.

Pesticide Label

A legal document printed on or attached to a pesticide container that explains how to safely and legally apply, store, dispose of, and protect users from the product.

Labeling

The label plus other information that comes with the pesticide, such as manuals, brochures, SDS sheets, and online instructions.

Section 3 Registration

The normal EPA registration for most pesticides, indicating they have been reviewed and approved for use.

SLN Registration

Special Local Need registration; a process that allows states to approve special local uses for pesticides not listed on the regular label.

Section 18 Emergency Exemption

Temporary approval for emergency pest situations used when a serious pest problem exists and no registered pesticide is available.

Section 25(b) Minimum-Risk Pesticides

Pesticides that are exempt from registration because they pose little risk to humans or the environment.

Trade/Brand/Product Name

The company's specific product name for a pesticide, such as Tempo 20WP.

Active Ingredient (a.i.)

The main chemical responsible for killing or controlling the pest.

Inert Ingredients

Materials that do not control pests but help mix the product, spread the pesticide, or improve overall performance.

Chemical Name

The long and complex scientific name of the active ingredient.

Common Name

A shorter, EPA-approved name for an active ingredient that is easier to remember, such as Cyfluthrin.

Restricted-Use Pesticide (RUP)

A pesticide that may seriously harm humans or the environment and can only be used by certified applicators or those under their supervision.

General-Use (Unclassified) Pesticide

A lower-toxicity pesticide available to the general public without requiring special certification.

Signal Words

Words on a label that indicate the pesticide’s relative acute toxicity level to humans and animals.

DANGER–POISON

Signal words accompanied by a skull and crossbones symbol, indicating the product is highly toxic and may cause death in very small amounts.

DANGER

A signal word indicating a product is highly toxic or causes severe eye or skin damage.

WARNING

A signal word indicating the pesticide is moderately toxic and may cause moderate irritation or poisoning.

CAUTION

A signal word indicating the pesticide is slightly toxic and usually causes mild irritation or lower toxicity risks.

Precautionary Statements

Statements explaining how to avoid harm to oneself, other people, animals, and the environment.

Routes of Entry Statements

Explanations of how pesticides can enter the body, such as through the skin, eyes, mouth, or lungs.

Specific Action Statements

Direct instructions to reduce exposure, such as "Do not breathe vapors" or "Avoid contact with skin."

PPE

Protective Clothing and Equipment, such as gloves, coveralls, and respirators, used to reduce pesticide exposure.

First Aid Statements

Instructions for immediate emergency treatment following accidental exposure, such as "If swallowed, call a doctor."

Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

A regulation that protects agricultural workers through training, notification, PPE, and restricted-entry intervals.

Restricted-Entry Interval (REI)

The amount of time workers must wait after a pesticide application before entering a treated area without PPE.

Directions for Use

The section of the label containing details on mixing, application rates, target pests, and application timing.

Mandatory Statements

Directions required by law that must be followed exactly, typically written as commands.

Advisory Statements

Recommendations or best practices that improve safety or effectiveness, often using words like "should" or "may."

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A detailed document developed by the manufacturer that provides information on hazards, toxicity, and cleanup procedures not always found on the label.

When to Read the Label

Read the label:

• Before buying

• Before mixing/applying

• Before storing

• Before disposing

Environmental Hazards

Warnings about effects on:

• Fish

• Birds

• Bees

• Groundwater

• Aquatic organisms

Examples:

• Toxic to bees

• Toxic to aquatic invertebrates

Physical or Chemical Hazards

Warnings about:

• Fire hazards

• Explosions

• Corrosiveness

Examples:

• Flammable

• Corrosive

Agricultural Use Requirements

Rules required under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS).

Includes:

• PPE

• Training

• Restricted-entry intervals (REIs)

Storage and Disposal

Instructions for:

• Proper storage

• Disposal

• Triple rinsing

• Recycling containers

SDS Sections

• Identification

• Hazard identification

• Composition/information on ingredients

• First aid measures

• Firefighting measures

• Accidental release measures

• Handling and storage

• Exposure controls/personal protection

• Physical and chemical properties

• Stability and reactivity

• Toxicological information

• Ecological information

• Disposal considerations

• Transport information

• Regulatory information

• Other information

Which group of pesticides is exempt from registration because it poses little or no risk to humans and the environment?

Minimum risk

The active ingredient in Tempo 20 WP is listed as B-Cyfluthirin, cyano (4 fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl 3(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2 dimethylcycopropanecarbonxylate. What does the term “Cyfluthrin” represent?

The common name

Which statement about pesticide label names and ingredients is true?

Various manufacturers use different trade names, even though the products may contain the same active ingredient.

What is the purpose of the signal word?

Indicates the products relative acute toxicity to humans and animals.

“Extremely hazardous by skin contact—rapidly absorbed through the skin” would most likely carry which signal word?

DANGER

“Do not breathe vapors or spray mist” is an example of a:

Specific action statement

Directions for mixing and loading a pesticide are usually found under:

Directions for use

“If swallowed, call a doctor” is an example of what kind of statement?

Mandatory

Who is responsible for developing SDSs for pesticides and providing them on request?

The product manufacturer