Reading a Pesticide Label
One of the more important tools for safe and
effective use of pesticides is the information on the
product label. Labels are legal documents and are
required to contain directions on how to properly mix,
apply, store and dispose of a pesticide product. These
directions are designed to ensure the safe and effective
use of pesticides, and failure to comply can harm humans
and the environment as well as lead to possible legal
liability.
Warning or Caution Statements
Statement of practical treatment. The label must
tell you how to avoid the hazards the product poses.
Within the precautionary statement or elsewhere on the
label, emergency first aid measures must be stated. The
label must also state what types of exposure require
medical attention. Precautionary statements. Hazards to
humans and domestic animals: This section well tell you
in what ways the product may be poisonous. It will also
tell you how to avoid poisoning, such as protective
clothing or ventilation requirements. If the pesticide is
highly toxic, this section must inform physicians of the
proper treatment for poisoning.
Physical and chemical hazards: This section will say if
the pesticide may pose any fire, explosion or chemical
hazards.
Environmental hazards: if used improperly, pesticides or
pesticide residues may contaminate water supplies,
accumulate to dangerous levels in the environment or harm
birds, fish or wildlife. To avoid these problems, the
label may contain environmental precautions applying to
air, water, soil or wildlife.
Endangered species: if the pesticide has potential for
harming an endangered species or its habitat, use
restriction statements will appear that indicate where
the pesticide may not be used.
Directions For Use
The instructions on the label must tell you how to
use the product properly within its legal requirements to
get the best results. The directions will tell you:
The pests the product is registered to control. The
crops, animals or other items the product can be us on.
In what form the product should be applied. How to
apply the product. How much to use. Where it should be
applied. When it should be applied. How frequently it
should be applied. How soon the crop may be used or eaten
after the product is applied.
Re-Entry Statement
This statement tells how much time must pass before
people can re-enter a treated area without appropriate
protective clothing and equipment. If no re-entry
statement appears, then all unprotected workers must wait
until sprays have dried or dusts have settled before
reentering. If re-entry period is in effect and early re-
entry is required, the protective clothing to be worn
will be indicated.
Registration and Establishment Numbers
Every pesticide on the market must be registered with
the federal government with the Environmental Protection
Agency. The registration number must be on the front
panel of the label and is written as "EPA Registration
No. XXXX." The establishment number, a code of the
factory that made the chemical, must also be on every
pesticide container. It usually appears under the
registration number.
Type of Formulation
A pesticide may be available in more than one type of
formulation: liquids, wettable powders, emulsifiable
concentrates, dusts and others. Different types of
formulations require different methods of handling. The
label will say what type of formulation the package
contains and how to use it properly.
Misuse Statement
Chemical companies are required by law to do
extensive testing on a product before it may be placed on
the market. They must meet all labeling requirements and
prove that labeling information is correct. To use a
pesticide product in any manner inconsistent with its
labeling is a violation of federal law. You are reminded
of this in the misuse statement.
Child Hazard Warning
Every pesticide container must bear the statement
"KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN" on the front label.
Ingredient Statement
Every pesticide label must list what is in the
product. It must show the percentage that is the active
ingredient and the percentage that is inert ingredients.
The name of the active ingredient must also be listed. It
can be shown either by chemical name or common and
chemical name. The inert ingredients do not need to be
named.
Name of The Product
Brand name: The name, brand or trademark is plainly
on the front panel of the product label. The brand name
is the name used in ads by the company that makes the
product and is the most identifiable name for the
product.
Common Name: All chemicals have a scientific name.
Many times, a chemical with a complex scientific name is
also given a simpler common name. The scientific and
common names do not vary between companies. Brand names
are different, depending on which company made the
chemical.
Name and Address of Manufacturer
The name and address of the company that made or
distributed the product must be on the label so the
purchaser of the product knows who made or sold the
product and can contact them if necessary.
Net Contents
The label must show how much product is in the
container. This can be expressed in ounces, liters,
pounds or other units.