Transcript Crop Profiles for North Carolina Agriculture

Pesticide Labels and Labeling
Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
Department of Entomology
North Carolina State University
Wayne G. Buhler
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Pesticide Labels and Labeling

Label: information printed on or attached to the
pesticide container
North Carolina
Pesticide Applicator
Training Program
Pesticide Labels and Labeling

Labeling: includes the label, plus all other
information you receive from the manufacturer
about the product (e.g., brochures, leaflets)
North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Training Program
Pesticide Labels and Labeling

Pesticide labeling gives users
instructions on how to use the
product safely and correctly

Pesticide users are required by law
to comply with all the instructions
and directions for use in pesticide
labeling
EPA Approval of Labeling
EPA has certain labeling information
requirements and must approve all
language proposed by the manufacturer
 EPA reviews labeling to make sure use it
contains the information needed for safe
and effective use of the product
 Labeling supported by toxicity, residue and
environmental data from manufacturer
 EPA must approve any changes in labeling

Parts of a Pesticide Label

Restricted-Use Classification: pesticides
classified for “restricted use” must have the
statement “RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE”
in a box at the top of label; reasons for the
designation may be stated (acute toxicity,
ground water concerns, etc.)
Parts of a Pesticide Label

Brand Name: brand or trade name of the product
given by manufacturer (e.g., Roundup); located
on the front panel of the label
North Carolina
Pesticide Applicator
Training Program
Parts of a Pesticide Label
Ingredient Statement: active ingredients and
their percentages of the total product must be
on label; listed by chemical and/or common
name (e.g., glyphosate); inert ingredients not
required to be named, but their percentage of
the total product must be on label
 Registration Number: the EPA registration
number must be on label; indicates that the
product has been approved by EPA

Parts of a Pesticide Label

Establishment Number: must be on label or
container; identifies the facility where the
product was manufactured; needed in case of
questions or concerns regarding product

Name and Address of Manufacturer: name
and address of the manufacturer or distributor
of the product must be identified on label
Parts of a Pesticide Label
Net Contents: amount of pesticide in the
container; expressed in pounds, gallons, pints,
etc.; located on front panel of label
 Type of Pesticide: short statement indicating
what the product will control; on front panel
 Type of Formulation: information on the
formulation may be included on label, often
as a part of the brand name; abbreviated form
(e.g., WP or EC) generally used

Parts of a Pesticide Label
Signal Words and Symbols: signal words
“Danger”, “Warning” or “Caution” must
appear in large letters on front panel of label;
indicates how toxic the product is to humans
 Danger: pesticide is highly toxic, likely to
cause acute illness (with Poison/Skull and
Crossbones) or severe eye or skin irritation
 Warning: pesticide is moderately toxic
 Caution: pesticide is slightly toxic

Parts of a Pesticide Label
Statement of Practical Treatment: instructions
on how to respond to emergency exposure to
product (i.e., first aid); usually on front panel
of label
 Precautionary Statements: statements on the
hazards of the product to humans and domestic
animals (acute, chronic and allergic effects),
personal protection equipment, environmental
hazards, and physical or chemical hazards

Parts of a Pesticide Label
Directions for Use: directly under the heading
“DIRECTIONS FOR USE” is the following
statement: It is a violation of Federal law to
use this product in a manner inconsistent with
its labeling
 Pests that the manufacturer claims the product
will control
 Sites which the product is intended to protect
 The correct amount of pesticide to use (rate)

Parts of a Pesticide Label
Instructions for mixing and applying product
 Directions on when and how often the product
can be applied
 Statement on when people can enter the treated
area after the application
 Instructions on the storage and disposal of the
pesticide and container
 Restrictions on the use of the product

Reading the Pesticide Label
Prior to Purchase: the product should meet
your pest control needs; you must be able to
use it safely; you should have the proper
equipment for application; the concentration
of the product should be in the range suitable
for the area you are treating
 Prior to Mixing: check the personal protective
equipment required, specific warnings, mixing
directions, amount needed and compatibility

Reading the Pesticide Label
Prior to Application: determine if the product
is registered for the site, when to apply, safety
measures required, proper application rate, use
restrictions, proper application method(s), and
special instructions
 Prior to Storage and Disposal: learn where and
how to store the product, where not to store it,
and how to dispose of the excess pesticide and
container

Material Safety Data Sheets
In response to public demands for the “rightto-know”, federal government requires
employers to maintain information on those
materials kept on their premises (mandated by
Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
 Uniform Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
has been mandated and most manufacturers
have complied

Contents of a MSDS
Product Specifications: trade name, chemical
name, common name, CAS number, etc.
 Health Hazards: acute and chronic effects of
the chemical, route(s) of entry, etc.
 Toxicological Data: oral, dermal, inhalation
LD50s; eye and skin effects; data on chronic,
carcinogenic, mutagenic, developmental,
reproductive and neurological effects

Contents of a MSDS
Ecological Data: effects on the environment
 First Aid Measures: first aid for the various
types of exposures; antidotes for poisonings
 Handling Precautions: information on the
proper handling and storage of the product,
personal protective equipment
 Fire and Explosion Hazards: flash points of
the chemical, extinguishing media, and firefighting precautions

Contents of a MSDS
Spill or Leak Procedures: instructions for
containing and cleaning up spills and leaks
 Disposal Procedures: directions for proper
disposal of the chemical
 Physical Data: form, color, odor, molecular
weight, boiling point, melting/freezing point,
and solubility (in water) of the chemical
 Stability and Reactivity: effects of moisture,
temperature and other factors on the chemical

Contents of a MSDS
Transportation Information: hazard class of
the chemical, placarding requirements and
emergency telephone numbers
 Manufacturer Information: name and address,
emergency telephone numbers, disclaimers

Reference

Applying Pesticides Correctly: A Guide for
Private and Commercial Applicators. Unit 2:
Pesticide Labeling. pp. 15-27.