Extension Bulletin E-2182, Minor Revision, March 2001 Reading a Pesticide Label Rebecca Hines Pesticide Education Program Michigan State University and Michael Kamrin Institute for Environmental Toxicology Michigan State University MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION esticide labels provide information for safe MANUFACTURER NAME and effective use of pesticides. Labels are Plegal documents. Pesticide users are 4 AND ADDRESS required by law to comply with the instructions in Name and address of producer or distributor of the pesticide labeling. The pesticide label contains the product. directions on how to properly mix, apply, store, and dispose of a pesticide. Safety information such as type of required personal protection equipment REGISTRATION AND (PPE), worker protection standards (WPS) if applic- ESTABLISHMENT able, physical and chemical hazards, environmental 5 hazards, and a statement of practical treatment NUMBER (first aid) must also be present on the label. These Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registra- directions are designed to ensure the safe and effec- tion number indicates the product and label are tive use of pesticides. Failure to comply with the approved for use by the EPA. directions can harm humans and the environment Establishment number is the code for the factory as well as lead to possible legal liability. where the product was made. Below is a descriptive list of the information that is found on a pesticide label. A fictitious sample label follows to illustrate how this information might SIGNAL WORD appear. 6 AND SYMBOL Indicates relative acute toxicity of the product. 1 NAME OF PRODUCT Acute toxicity is measured by testing five methods BRAND NAME of exposure: acute oral, acute dermal, acute inhalation, eye irritation, and skin irritation. Name used by the manufacturer to identify the product. Every product has a unique brand name. DETERMINING SIGNAL WORDS To establish how toxic (poisonous) a pesticide is, COMMON NAME it is given to test animals to determine the A simple name given to a chemical with a com- amount of the chemical that kills 50% of the ani- plex scientific name. mals. Toxicity tests are done for each method of Common names do not differ between manufac- exposure — oral, dermal, and inhalation. Based turers. on this and other tests, the product is classified into toxicity categories for each route of expo- sure. Toxicity categories I, II, III and IV indicate INGREDIENT STATEMENT how toxic the chemical or product is. Category I 2 is most toxic and category IV is least toxic. Percentages of active and inert (other) ingredi- ents in the product. The toxicity categories help to determine the product’s signal word. Signal words are required Chemical and/or common names of active ingredi- to appear on every pesticide label. Signal words ents MUST BE listed. provide a quick indication of the overall toxicity of the product. Table 1 lists the signal words. Note NET CONTENTS that the sample pesticide falls into toxicity cate- 3 gory I according to the toxicity rating scale, and Total amount of product in the container. therefore the words DANGER-POISON appear on Net contents are expressed in ounces, pounds, the label. For any product in category I, the gallons, quarts, pints, or fluid ounces. words DANGER-POISON and the skull and cross- bones symbol must appear in red letters on the label. The signal word must also appear in Spanish. 9 DIRECTIONS FOR USE PRECAUTIONARY VIPNO PEST GEL 1 It is a violation of Federal law to use this STATEMENTS product in a manner inconsistent with its HAZARDS TO HUMANS & ACTIVE INGREDIENT: labeling. DOMESTIC ANIMALS galactothion (0, 0-diethyl methyl VIP NO PEST is an insect control prod- phosphorothiate)..........................20.9% uct for control of lepidopterous larvae DANGER: Fatal if absorbed through 2 related isomers.............................1.1% (worms and caterpillars), thrips, and skin, fatal if swallowed, and poisonous if inhaled. INERT INGREDIENTS:..............78.0% leafminers infesting fruits (apples, Total.......100.0% oranges, lemons and limes) and vegeta- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE bles (broccoli, cabbage, spinach, toma- EQUIPMENT (PPE) to, and pepper). VIP NO PEST should Net Contents: 5 gallons be mixed with water and applied as a Some materials that are chemical resis- 3 foliar spray with aerial or ground equip- tant to this product are listed below. ment for a finished spray volume of 30 If you want more options, follow the gallons per acre. Apply product at the instruction for category G on an EPA VIP Chemical Company first sign of insect damage and continue chemical resistance category selection 4 2527 VIP Drive applications as necessary to maintain chart. Biarspond, MI 22315 control, but not more often than each 14 Applicators and Other Handlers must wear: days. Do not apply within 14 days of -Coveralls over long-sleeve shirt & long harvest. pants 5 EPA Reg. No. 12345-10 EPA Est. 56787-CO- -Chemical-resistant gloves such as barri- AGRICULTURAL USE er laminate or vitron -Chemical-resistant footwear plus socks REQUIREMENTS -Protective eyewear KEEP OUT OF REACH Use this product only in -Chemical-resistant headgear for over- 7 OF CHILDREN accordance with its labeling head exposures and with the Worker 10 -Chemical-resistant apron when cleaning DANGER POISON Protection Standard, 40 CFR equipment, mixing or loading Part 170. This standard 6 PELIGRO contains requirements for the protection -Respirator with either an organic vapor- removing cartridge with a prefilter 11 of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses, and han- approved for pesticides (MSHA/NIOSH Si Usted no entiende la etiqueta, dlers of agricultural pesticides. It con- approval prefix TC-23C) or a canister busque a alguien para se la explique tains requirements for training, deconta- approved for pesticides (MSHA/NIOSH a Usted en detalle. (If you do not mination, notification, and emergency approval number TC-14G). understand this label, find someone to assistance. It also contains specific explain it to you in detail.) instructions and exceptions pertaining to the statements on this label and person- User Safety al protective equipment (PPE), notifica- Recommendations tion-to-workers, and restricted-entry Users should wash hands before intervals. The requirements in this box eating, drinking, chewing gum, using only apply to uses of this product that tobacco, or using the toilet. are covered by the Worker Protection Remove clothing immediately if pes- STATEMENT OF Standard. ticide gets inside. Then wash thor- 8 PRACTICAL TREATMENT Do not enter or allow worker entry into oughly and put on clean clothing. treated areas during the restricted-entry Remove PPE immediately after han- Contact a doctor (physician, clinic, or interval (REI) of 48 hours. The REI is dling this product. Wash the outside hospital) immediately in cases of sus- 72 hours in outdoor areas where the of the gloves before removing. pected poisoning. Explain that the vic- average annual rainfall is less than 25 tim has been exposed to galactothion inches a year. and describe his/her condition. After ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS first aid is given take victim to clinic or This pesticide is highly toxic to aquatic hospital. If breathing has stopped, start STORAGE invertebrates and wildlife. Birds in treat- artificial respiration immediately and AND DISPOSAL12 ed areas may be killed. Shrimp and maintain until doctor sees victim. other aquatic organisms may be killed at PROHIBITIONS: Do not contaminate recommended application rates. Do not If swallowed: Induce vomiting and seek water, food, or feed by storage or dis- contaminate water by cleaning of equip- medical attention immediately. posal. Do not store under conditions ment or disposal of wastes. which might adversely affect the con- If on skin: Wash skin thoroughly with tainer or its ability to function properly. soap and water. STORAGE: Do not store below temper- PHYSICAL AND If inhaled: Remove to fresh air. ature of 0°F. CHEMICAL HAZARDS If in eyes: Hold eyelids open and flush CONTAINER DISPOSAL: Triple rinse with plenty of water. Call a physician if Do not use or store near heat or open (or equivalent). Then offer for recycling irritation persists. flame. Not for use or storage in or or reconditioning, or puncture and dis- around the home. pose of in a sanitary landfill, or by other procedure approved by state and local authorities. TABLE 1. TOXICITY RATING SCALE •How much product to use. FOR PESTICIDES. •When the product should be applied. •How often to apply the product. If the label has this ...then, the product •How soon the crop may be used or eaten after signal word... is this toxic. an application (preharvest interval - PHI). •When people can re-enter a treated area after Category Signal word required Approximate amount on label needed to kill an an application (re-entry statement). Labels will average adult give either a specific amount of time, such as 48 hours after application, or a general re-entry I DANGER-POISON Highly toxic (PELIGRO) A few drops to statement such as “Do not enter treated area 1 teaspoon until sprays have dried or dusts have settled.” AGRICULTURAL USE 10 REQUIREMENTS II WARNING 1 teaspoon I Contains requirements for compliance with Moderately toxic (AVISO) to 1 ounce Worker Protection Standards (WPS). III CAUTION Over 1 ounce Low toxicity WORKER PROTECTION IV CAUTION Over 1 ounce STANDARDS (WPS) Slightly toxic The Worker Protection Standards are designed to protect pesticide applicators and handlers and agricultural workers from pesticide poison- CHILD HAZARD ing. To comply with WPS, a product label must 7 WARNING list the following: A restricted entry interval (REI), the time The statement “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHIL- period immediately following a pesticide DREN” appears on every pesticide label. application during which entry into the treat- ed area is not allowed, with narrow excep- STATEMENT OF tions. If a pesticide handler or agricultural worker PRACTICAL TREATMENT 8 must enter the treated area during the REI (FIRST AID) (the exceptions), then the label will state the personal protective equipment (PPE) — for Emergency first aid for pesticide exposure.