Sample Label

             The parts of this label are keyed numerically, click on a part of the label and see its description. 

Restricted-Use Pesticides - 1  Sample Label Pesticides, or some of their uses, are classified as restricted if they could cause harm to pesticide handlers or other persons, or to the environment unless they are applied by certified applicators who have the knowledge to use these pesticides safely and effectively. The word “use” in this phrase is a general term and refers to such activities as: • mixing and loading • application • transporting, storing, or handling pesticides after the manufacturer’s seal is broken • care and maintenance of application and handling equipment, disposal of pesticides and their containers Product Name - 2  Sample Label Brand, trade, or product names. Each manufacturer has a brand name for its product. Different manufacturers may use different brand names for the same pesticide active ingredient. The brand name shows up plainly on the front panel of the label. Applicators should avoid choosing a pesticide product by brand name alone. Many companies use the same basic name with only minor variations to designate entirely different pesticide chemicals. For example: Tersan LSR = zinc and maneb Tersan SP = chloroneb  Tersan 1991 = benomyl  Tersan = thiram  Type of Formulation - 3  Sample Label The front panel of some pesticide labels will tell you the product formulation. The formulation may be named or the label may show only an abbreviation, such as WP for wettable powder, D for dust, or EC for emulsifiable concentrate. The type of pesticide may also be given (e.g., insecticide, herbicide). Statement of Pesticide Use Classification The type of pesticide is usually listed on the front panel of the label. This short statement indicates in general terms what the product will control. Examples: • Insecticide for control of certain insects on fruits, nuts, and ornamentals • Algicide • Herbicide for the control of trees, brush, and weeds. EPA Pesticide Registration Number - 4  Sample Label An EPA registration number appears on all pesticide labels, indicating the pesticide label has been registered by the federal government. Most products will contain only two sets of numbers—for example, EPA Reg. No. 3120-280; the first set of digits, 3120, is the manufacturer’s identification number and the second set, 280, is the product’s unique identification number.  In some cases, special local needs (SLN) pesticide products may be approved by a state. These registrations are designated, for example, as “EPA, SLN No. AZ-960007.” In this case, SLN indicates “special local need” and AZ indicates that the product is registered for use in Arizona. SLN numbers may not appear on the package label, but are part of the supplementary labeling. EPA Formulator Manufacturer Establishment Number - 5  Sample Label The establishment number (for example, “EPA Est. No. 5840-AZ-1”) appears on either the pesticide label or the container. In the event of a problem, it identifies the facility that produced the product. Ingredients Statement - 6  Sample Label Each pesticide label must list what is in the product. The list is written so you can readily see what the active ingredients are and the amount of each ingredient (as a percentage of the total product). The ingredient statement must list the official chemical name and/or common name for each active ingredient. At the present time, the inert ingredients need not be named, but the label must show what percentage of the total contents they make up. Legislation requiring the identification of inert ingredients is pending. The chemical name is a complex name that identifies the chemical components and structure of the active ingredient. This name is almost always listed in the ingredient statement on the label. For example, the chemical name of Diazinon is O,O-diethyl O-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate. Because pesticides often have complex chemical names, many are given a shorter, common name. Only common names that are officially accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency may be used in the ingredient statement on the pesticide label. The official common name may be followed by the chemical name in the list of active ingredients.  For example, a label with “Sevin 50% WP” would read Active ingredient: Carbaryl 50% (l-Naphthyl methylcarbamate)  Inert ingredient 50% By purchasing pesticides according to the common or chemical names, you will always be sure to get the right active ingredient. Pounds/Gallon Statement (If Liquid) This is the pounds of active ingredient per gallon in liquid formulations. It is often included in the ingredient statement. Child Hazard Warning - 7  Sample Label Unqualified claims for safety are not acceptable on any label and all labels must bear the statement KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Signal Word — DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION - 8  Sample Label The signal words DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION must appear in large letters on the front panel of the pesticide label. The signal word indicates how acutely toxic the product is to humans. The signal word is immediately below the statement KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, which also must appear on every label. The signal word is based not on the active ingredient alone, but on the contents of the formulated product. It reflects the hazard of any active ingredients, carriers, solvents, or inert ingredients. The signal word indicates the risk of acute effects from the four routes of exposure to a pesticide product (oral, dermal, inhalation, and eye) and is based on the one that is greatest. The signal word does not indicate the risk of delayed effects or allergic effects. Use the signal word to help you decide what precautionary measures are needed for yourself, other handlers, and other people (or animals) who might be exposed. • DANGER indicates that the pesticide is highly toxic or hazardous. The product is very likely to cause acute illness from oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure, or irritating or corrosive to the skin and/or cause serious eye damage. • WARNING signals you that the product is moderately toxic or hazardous and could likely cause acute illness from oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure or could cause moderate skin or eye injury. • CAUTION signals you that the product is slightly toxic or relatively nontoxic. The product has only slight potential to cause acute illness from oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure. The skin or eye irritation it would cause, if any, is likely to be slight. Skull and Crossbones and Word POISON in Red All highly toxic pesticides that are very likely to cause serious acute illness through oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure will carry the skull and crossbones symbol and the word POISON printed in red always with the signal word DANGER. Products that have the signal word DANGER due to skin and eye irritation potential will not carry the the skull and crossbones symbol or the word POISON. Company Name and Address - 9  Sample Label The law requires the maker or distributor of a product to put the name and address of the company on the label. Statement of Practical Treatment - 10  Sample Label Most pesticide products are required to include instructions on how to respond to an emergency exposure involving that product. The instructions usually include first aid measures and may include instructions to seek medical help.  Referral Statement  If the “statement of practical treatment” is not located on the front panel, a statement on the front panel must refer the user to the section of the label or labeling where the statement of practical treatment may be found.  Typical statements include: • In case of contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap and water • In case of contact with eyes, flush with water for 15 minutes and get medical attention • In case of inhalation exposure, move from contaminated area and give artificial respiration if necessary. • If swallowed, drink large quantities of milk, egg white, or water — do not induce vomiting. Environmental Hazards - 11  Sample Label This section of the pesticide labeling will indicate precautions for protecting the environment when you use the pesticide. Some general statements appear on the labeling of nearly every pesticide. Most pesticide labeling, for example, will warn you not to contaminate water when you apply the pesticide or when you clean your equipment or dispose of pesticide wastes. The labeling will contain specific precautionary statements if the pesticide poses a specific hazard to the environment. The label may indicate that the product causes undesirable effects on the environment. In this case, the precautionary statement may tell you what to avoid doing. Some labels indicate toxicity to bees, birds, fish, and crustaceans. Labeling may indicate limitations imposed to protect endangered species. These limitations may include reduced rates, restrictions on types of application, or a ban on a pesticide’s use within the species range. The label may also tell you where additional information can be obtained. General Environmental Statements  These statements appear on nearly every pesticide label. They are reminders of common sense actions to follow to avoid contaminating the environment. The absence of any or all of these statements does not indicate that you do not have to take adequate precautions. Sometimes these statements will follow a “specific toxicity statement” and provide practical steps to avoid harm to wildlife. Examples of general environmental statements include • Do not apply when runoff is likely to occur • Do not apply when weather conditions favor drift from treated areas • Do not contaminate water when cleaning equipment or disposing of wastes • Keep out of any body of water • Do not allow drift on desirable plants or trees • Do not apply when bees are likely to be in the area • Do not apply where the water table is close to the surface Restricted-Entry Interval (REI) - 12   Sample Label The re-entry interval statement is printed in a box under the heading Agricultural Use Restrictions and will include requirements of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). If the restricted-entry interval applies only to certain uses or locations, the heading may indicate that limitation. Agricultural pesticide labeling contains a precaution about entering a treated area after application. This statement tells you how much time after the application must pass before people can enter a treated area. These restricted-entry intervals (REI’s) are set by both EPA and regulatory agencies. Entry intervals set by the Arizona’s Department of Agriculture or Structural Pest Control Commission (SPCC) are not always listed on the label. You must determine whether one has been set. Net Contents - 13  Sample Label The net contents, on the front panel of the container, are expressed as pounds, ounces, or percents for dry formulations and as gallons, quarts, pints, or fluid ounces for liquids. Liquid formulations also may list the pounds of active ingredient per gallon of product. Directions for Use - 14  Sample Label The instructions on how to use the pesticide are an important part of the labeling. This is the best way you can find out the right way to handle the product. The use instructions will tell you • pests the manufacturer claims the product will control • site for which the product is intended • in what form the product should be applied • the correct equipment to use • how much pesticide to use • mixing directions • whether the product can be mixed with other often-used products • whether the product is likely to cause unwanted injuries or stains to plants, animals, or surfaces. • when and how often the material should be applied Directions for Use by Reference Some directions for use that pesticide users must obey are contained in documents that are only referred to on the product labeling. Such instructions include EPA or other government agency regulations or requirements concerning the safe use of the pesticide product. For example, a pesticide label might state: Use of this product in a manner inconsistent with the Pesticide Use Bulletin for Protection of Endangered Species is a violation of Federal law. Restrictions for the protection of endangered species apply to this product. If restrictions apply to the area in which this product is to be used, you must obtain the Pesticide Use Bulletin for Protection of Endangered Species for that county.  This statement probably would be the only indication on the pesticide label or in the labeling that other use directions and restrictions apply to the product. In general, this statement will have no direct impact on you the applicator. However, a product may be removed from the marketplace if it has too great an impact on endangered species. You are responsible for determining whether the regulation, bulletin, or other document referred to on the pesticide product labeling applies to your situation and your intended use of the pesticide product. If the document is applicable, you must comply with all the specific directions for use and other requirements that it contains. These documents do not always accompany the pesticide product when it is sold. Instead, you may have to get the additional directions and requirements from other sources such as pesticide dealers or company representatives, industry or commodity organizations, universities, or Arizona Cooperative Extension. This reference to other documents is a new practice. It is necessary because there is no longer room on the traditional pesticide label to explain the requirements of all laws and regulations that may apply to the user. For example, EPA has adopted or is considering new requirements concerning: • groundwater protection • endangered species protection • pesticide transportation, storage, and disposal • worker protection • pesticide labeling Some of these are general-use directions that apply to all pesticides, so one copy should be sufficient for each affected user. In other cases, the instructions and restrictions apply only in certain geographical areas or to certain uses of a pesticide product. Copies of the applicable directions for use in the specific situation need to be distributed only to the affected users. The decision by EPA not to require all of the applicable directions for use to be distributed with each pesticide product places greater responsibility on the pesticide user. One sentence or paragraph on a pesticide label may be the only notice you will receive that additional use directions are required in order for the product to be used in compliance with its labeling.  You must: • determine whether you are affected • locate the applicable directions for use • determine how to comply with the instructions and requirements in the directions for use • comply with those instructions and requirements Precautionary Statements - 15  Sample Label The side and back panels of labels often list other precautions to take while handling the product. • Do not contaminate food or feed • Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse • Wash thoroughly after handling and before eating or smoking • Wash clothes daily • Not for use or storage in and around a house • Do not allow children or domestic animals into the treated area Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals Route of entry statements, which immediately follow the signal word, either on the front or side of the pesticide label, indicate which route (s) of entry (mouth, skin, lungs, eyes) you must particularly protect. Many pesticide products are hazardous by more than one route of entry, so study these statements carefully. A DANGER signal word followed by “May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled” gives you a far different warning than, “DANGER: Corrosive—causes eye damage and severe skin burns.” Typical DANGER label statements include: • Fatal if swallowed • Poisonous if inhaled • Extremely hazardous by skin contact—rapidly absorbed through skin • Corrosive—causes eye damage and severe skin burns These statements are not uniform on all labels and many variations may be found. More than one, or, in some cases, all four precautions may be stated on the same label. Typical WARNING label statements include: • Harmful or fatal if swallowed • Harmful or fatal if absorbed through the skin • Causes skin and eye irritation Statements on a WARNING label may be exactly like those found on a DANGER label or a CAUTION label. There may be a combination of the two, for example: “Harmful or fatal.”  Typical CAUTION label statements include • Harmful if swallowed • May be harmful if absorbed through the skin • May be harmful if inhaled • May irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin CAUTION statements may vary considerably. They usually are more moderate than the statements found on a DANGER label, often using “harmful” instead of “fatal” or “poisonous”; “irritant” instead of “corrosive”; and qualifying the warnings with “may” or “may be.” This is in keeping with products having a CAUTION label. “Specific action statements” are statements that follow the route of entry statements. They recommend the specific action needed to prevent poisoning. These statements are directly related to the toxicity of the pesticide product (signal word) and route(s) of entry that must be protected. DANGER labels typically contain statements such as: • Do not breathe vapors or spray mist • Do not get on skin or clothing • Do not get in eyes (You would not deliberately swallow the pesticide, so the “Do not swallow” statement is omitted.) CAUTION labels generally contain specific action statements that are much milder than those on the DANGER label: • Avoid contact with skin or clothing • Avoid breathing dusts, vapors, or spray mists • Avoid getting in eyes These statements indicate that the toxicity hazard is not as great. The specific action statements help you prevent pesticide poisoning by taking the necessary precautions and wearing the correct protective clothing and equipment. Personal Protective Equipment Statements - 16  Sample Label Immediately following the statements about acute, delayed, and allergic effects, the labeling usually lists personal protective equipment requirements. These statements tell you the minimum personal protective equipment you must wear when using the pesticide. Sometimes the statements will require different personal protective equipment for different pesticide handling activities. For example, an apron may be required only during mixing and loading or equipment cleaning. Sometimes the statements will allow reduced personal protective equipment when you use safety systems, such as closed mixing equipment or enclosed cabs. Warranty/Misuse Statement - 17  Sample Label Directly under the heading “Directions for Use” on every pesticide product labeling is the following statement: “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.” Storage and Disposal - 18  Sample Label All pesticide labels contain general instructions for the appropriate storage and disposal of the pesticide and its container. Typical statements include: • Not for use or storage in or around the home • Store away from fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and seeds • Store at temperatures above 32oF (0oC) • Do not store above 100ºF for extended periods • Do not reuse container • Do not contaminate water, food, or feed by storage and disposal • Open dumping is prohibited • Triple-rinse and offer this container for recycling or reconditioning, or dispose in an approved landfill • Use excess or dispose of in an approved landfill • Do not reuse bag You should try to determine the best storage and disposal procedures for your operation and location. These statements may appear in a special section of the label titled “Storage and Disposal” or under headings such as “Important,” “Note,” or “General Instructions.” For additional information on proper pesticide disposal and storage, contact the Arizona Department of Agriculture or the Department of Environmental Quality. Worker Protection Standard - 19  Sample Label This standard contains all the requirements for the protection of agricultural workers on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses and handlers of agricultural pesticides. It tells you about the requirements for training, decontamination, notification and emergency assistance.