Don’t overlook the label

A solid integrated pest management program includes guidelines for reading product labels to ensure employee and plant safety. Don’t assume everyone understands all the parts of a pesticide label. Proper training is essential. Making applications in strict accordance with all label instructions and government regulations is mandatory.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires manufacturers to attach additional fold-out labels, or booklets, to packages that are too small to have all the required information printed on them. These booklets, together with the base label, are the complete pesticide label. Before purchasing a pesticide, make sure you have the complete label, including any accompanying label booklets.

Proper label reading begins even before the product is purchased.

Before buying a pesticide, consider these points:

• Is it registered for the intended use?
• Are there restrictions at the application site?
• Does it control the life stage of your pest?
• What PPE and application equipment do you need?

Before mixing and applying the pesticide:

• Learn what first aid and medical treatments are necessary if exposure occurs.
• Learn how to mix and safely apply the material.
• Prevent exposure to people and nontarget organisms.

Storage and disposal:

• Keep products in original containers in locked areas.
• Take precautions to prevent fire and explosion hazards.
• Before disposing of unused pesticide and empty containers, check with the local agricultural commissioner for restrictions and requirements.

The parts of a pesticide label

Brand name. A brand name is the name the manufacturer gives to the product and is used for all advertising.

Formulation. Labels usually list the formulation type, such as emulsifiable concentrate or wettable powder. This information may be included in the brand name.

Ingredients. Pesticide labels list the percentage of active and other ingredients by weight. “Other ingredients” are all components of the formulation that do not necessarily have pesticidal action but may still pose safety or environmental problems. Active ingredients are listed by their common or generic name and their chemical name. When a pesticide contains more than one active ingredient, the label will state the percentage of each.

Registration and establishment numbers. The U.S. EPA assigns registration numbers to each pesticide. This number is required when reporting use. An establishment number identifies the site of manufacture or repackaging and may be on the pesticide label or the pesticide container itself. Registration numbers are unique to the specific product.

Agricultural use requirements. This statement appears in the directions for use section on labels approved for use in production agriculture, commercial greenhouses, nurseries and forests. It refers to the Worker Protection Standard (40 CFR part 170). You must use the pesticide according to this standard, as well as the requirements on the pesticide label. Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for early entry workers are also found here.

Manufacturer. Pesticide labels always contain the name and address of the manufacturer of the product.

Contents. Labels list the net contents, by weight or liquid volume, contained in the package.

Signal word. Pesticides are assigned a toxicity category (Category I, Danger to Category IV, no signal word required). The level of hazard determines the signal word manufacturers must use on their label.

First aid. This statement provides emergency information and tells when to seek medical attention. It describes first aid procedures for swallowing, skin and eye exposure, and inhalation of dust or vapors. This statement also includes a hotline number.

Precautionary statements. Precautionary statements describe pesticide hazards. This section may include up to three areas of hazard.

1. Hazards to people and domestic animals: PPE to wear while handling containers and mixing, loading and applying the product; why the pesticide is hazardous; adverse effects from exposure.
2. Environmental hazard: Identifies if pesticide is toxic to nontarget organisms (honey bees, fish, birds, other wildlife).
3. Physical and chemical hazards.

Storage and disposal directions. This section provides directions for proper storage.

Warranty. Manufacturers usually include a warranty and disclaimer on their pesticide labels. This section of the label informs you of your rights as a purchaser and limits the liability of the manufacturer.

Directions for use. It is a violation of the law if you do not follow the directions for use. These instructions tell you how to apply the pesticide — how much to use, where to use it and when to apply it. Directions also include the preharvest intervals (PHI) for all crops, if appropriate. Directions for use include: target pests of the given pesticide; crops, plant species, animals or other sites to which you can apply the pesticide; and special use restrictions.

Misuse statement. The misuse statement reminds users to apply pesticides according to label directions.

Restricted-entry statement. Usually, a period of time must elapse before anyone can enter an area treated with pesticides unless they are wearing PPE. This period is the restricted-entry interval (REI) and may vary according to the crop or site being treated and geographic location. The REI statement is most commonly found in the agricultural use requirements section of the label.

Posting requirements. Sometimes, you must post warning signs outside of treated areas to notify workers and others that they cannot enter during the REI. This information is found in the agricultural use requirements section. Also check current state and local laws to determine posting requirements. Local offices of county agricultural commissioners have this information.

Source: University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program Pesticide Safety Education Program; ipm.ucanr.edu