Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
•
that PPE may be contaminated with pesticides
•
the potentially harmful effects of exposure to pesticides
•
how to protect themselves when handling PPE
•
how to clean PPE correctly.
III. THE PESTICIDE LABEL
The label contains the key information about any pesticide you are
planning to use. The label on the package of a pesticide tells you the most
important facts you must know about that particular pesticide for safe and
effective use. The information on the label gives not only the directions on
how to mix and apply the pesticide, but also offers guidelines for safe
handling, first aid, storage, and protection of the environment.
Information on pesticide labels has been called the most expensive litera-
ture in the world. The research and development that is responsible for the
wording on a label frequently costs millions of dollars. The combined knowl-
edge of laboratory and field scientists and others in industry, universities, and
government is used to develop the information found on the label.
Before we discuss the information you can find on pesticide labels, we
must distinguish
label
from
labeling.
The
label
is the information printed on
or attached to the pesticide container or wrapper.
Labeling
refers to both the
actual label and to all additional product information, such as brochures and
handouts that you receive from the manufacturer or dealer when you buy the
product.
The EPA must approve all language that the manufacturer proposes to
include in the product labeling. Thus, information in handouts and brochures
cannot differ in meaning from the information on the label. The label and
supplemental labeling are legally binding documents that you must follow
explicitly.
Although we focus on the pesticide label in this chapter, remember that
for many products, much of the information presented may appear in
supplemental labeling rather than on the label itself.
Some of the information on labels is required by law; manufacturers may
choose to include additional information. While some information must
appear on a certain part of the label, the rest may be placed wherever the
manufacturer chooses. Information is often grouped under headings to help
you find what you need.
In this section, we will describe the principal types of information found
on labels. Product labels vary and do not always present information under
