How To Gather Just The Facts From Pesticide Labels

When it comes to using pesticides, being able to read and interpret the information on a pesticide label is very crucial. The pesticide label is the information that is printed on or attached to the pesticide container, and this information can be divided into the following four categories:

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I. Safety information: This section contains information related to child hazard warning, signal word, statement of practical treatment, and hazards to humans and domestic animals.

II. Environmental information: This section contains information related to environmental hazards.

III. Product information: This section contains information related to use classification, brand/trade name, ingredient statement, net contents, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number, EPA establishment number, name and address of manufacturer, formulation, physical or chemical hazards, and limited warranty and disclaimer.

IV. Use information: This section contains information related to directions for use, and storage and disposal of the product.

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This article aims to help pesticide applicators understand the information contained within the safety, environmental, product, and use sections of the pesticide label.

→Click here to see the pesticide label for Safari 20SG® (dinotefuran, Valent Professional Products), which has been included with this article to help better understand the information presented in this article.

Also, the pesticide label for Mustang Max EC® (FMC Agricultural Products) has been included with this article to help with answers to the CEU Series 37 questions. →Click here to view the Mustang Max EC label.

I. Safety information

Please refer to page 1 of the Safari 20 SG® label for this section.

(a) Child Hazard Warning: the front section of each pesticide label bears the statement “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN”. This is to prevent poisoning in children, a major cause of injuries in children.

(b) Signal Word: Often indicated in large text size, the signal word indicates the level of toxicity of a pesticide to humans upon ingestion (when swallowed). The signal word is based on the entire contents of the pesticide product and not just the active ingredient or product components that affect the pest. Signal words can be of the following types:

i. DANGER along with the word POISON/PELIGRO or DANGER alone labeled pesticides are highly toxic. The oral lethal dose is a few drops to a teaspoonful.

ii. WARNING/AVISO labeled pesticides are moderately toxic, and the oral lethal dose is a teaspoon to an ounce.

iii. CAUTION labeled pesticides that are slightly toxic, with oral lethal dose of one ounce to one pint or one pound.

iv. CAUTION labeled pesticides that are relatively non-toxic, with oral lethal dose over one pint or one pound.

The level of toxicity decreases as you go from DANGER to CAUTION relatively non-toxic.

The signal word for Safari 20SG® is CAUTION.

(c) Statement of Practical Treatment: This section provides the information for antidotes and treatment to medical personnel treating a pesticide poisoning victim.

(d) Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals: This section of the label provides the precautionary statements which indicate the specific hazards, routes of exposures, and precautions to be taken to avoid injury to humans and domestic animals.

The Safari 20 SG® label has the following statement for this section: “Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin. Causes moderate eye irritation.”

(e) Personal Protective Equipment: This section of the label provides specific information about the type of protective clothing that needs to be worn during handling, mixing, or applying the product.

II. Environmental Information

Please refer to pages 1 and 2 of the Safari 20 SG® label for this section.

(a) Environmental Hazards: In this section the label provides the information about the potential hazards and the precautions needed to prevent injury or damage to the environment.

Example of environmental hazard statement from the Safari 20SG® label: “This pesticide is toxic to shrimp.”

III. Produce Information

Please refer to pages 1, 3, and 13 of the Safari 20 SG® label for this section.

(a) Use Classification: EPA classifies a pesticide either for general use or restricted use. This classification is based on the toxicity of a pesticide, the way in which the pesticide will be used, and the effect of the pesticide on the environment. A pesticide classified as restricted will state “Restricted Use Pesticide” on the front panel of the label, and it can only be purchased and applied by applicators certified and licensed in Florida.

Both commercial and private certified applicators of restricted use pesticides are required to maintain records of pesticide applications (FACT Act 1990, Farm Bill; FDACS).

♦Click here to see an example of pesticide recordkeeping form. 

For further information about the record keeping requirements please refer to the UF/IFAS Extension publication titled Pesticide Recordkeeping

(b) Brand/Trade Name: Different manufacturers have different brand names for the same pesticide active ingredient. For example Touchdown 5® (manufacturer is Dupont) and Roundup UltraMax® (manufacturer is Monsanto) are different brands for the same herbicide active ingredient, glyphosate.

The brand/trade name for Safari 20SG® is Safari.

(c) Ingredient Statement: The ingredient statement lists the components of the pesticide container as percentage of active ingredients, and percentage of other ingredients. The active ingredients are identified by either the common name or chemical. The common name is usually followed by the chemical name as well.

The common name of Safari 20 SG® is Dinotefuran. The common name is followed by the chemical name which is N-methyl-N’-nitro-N’’-[(tetrahydro-3-furanyl) methyl]guanidine.

(d) Net Contents: The front section of the label indicates how much product is in the container. The net contents are generally expressed as pounds or ounces for dry formulations, and as gallons, quarts, pints, or fluid ounces for liquids.

(e) EPA Registration Number: This number identifies a specific product and signifies that the product has met federal registration requirements through all of the testing phases.

The EPA registration number for Safari 20 SG® is 33657-16-59639.

(f) EPA Establishment Number: This number indicates the facility where the product was formulated. An example of the EPA Establishment Number is 39578-TX-1.

(g) Name and Address of Manufacturer: The manufacturer or the distributer of the pesticide is required by law to put their company name and address on the pesticide label.

For Safari 20 SG® this information can be found on page 13.

(h) Formulation: The product formulation information is also found on the front section of the label. It is usually either spelled out in its entirety or abbreviated. Some examples of formulations include G for granular materials, SG for soluble granules, WP for wettable powders, and EC for emulsifiable concentrates.

Safari 20 SG® as the name indicates is a soluble granule (SG) type of formulation.

(i) Physical or Chemical Hazards: This section specifies the special fire, explosion or chemical hazards the pesticide may pose.

For Safari 20 SG® on page 2, the label states the following under the Physical or Chemical Hazards section: “Do not use, pour, spill or store near heat or open flame.”

(j) Limited Warranty and Disclaimer: This statement conveys the manufacturer’s assurance that the product conforms to the chemical description on the label and that it is fit for label purposes if used according to directions under normal conditions. Applicators who violate the label instructions assume all liability associated with the product.

IV. Pesticide Use Information

Please refer to pages 2-12 of the Safari 20 SG® label for this section.

(a) Directions for Use: This section constitutes the majority of the information provided in the pesticide label, and begins with the wording: “It is a violation of federal law to use this product in any manner inconsistent with its labeling.” The directions for use section contains information such as:

i. Sites, objects, animals, plants, or areas where the pesticide may be applied.

ii. The amount of product to use.

iii. Description of how to apply the product.

iv. Description of the type of equipment to use to apply the product effectively.

v. The timing and frequency of application.

vi. Limitations on reentry into treated areas.

vii. The pests the product controls.

viii. Any number of various limitations associated with the product, including application intervals, crop rotation restrictions, animal restrictions, and warnings about use on certain sites.

(b) Storage and Disposal of the Product: The pesticide label contains information about storage of the product. The label also provides information for the disposal of the pesticide containers as well excess amounts of the diluted pesticide. While, burning of pesticide containers is legal in Florida, some counties and municipalities have enacted local ordinances that prohibit such activities. Pesticide applicators are advised to consult their local authorities to determine burning regulations in their area.

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