AL Pesticide Applicator key terms

The printed information attached to or supplied with a pesticide container, covering ingredients, use sites, rates, precautions, and directions for use. It is a legally binding document, and applying a product contrary to it is a violation.

All written material that accompanies a pesticide beyond the container label itself, including supplemental labels, brochures, and worker safety information. Labeling carries the same legal force as the label.

A pesticide that EPA classifies as posing unreasonable risk to people or the environment even when used as directed. It may be sold and used only by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified applicator.

A single word required on the front panel of a pesticide label, either DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION, reflecting the product's acute toxicity. DANGER marks the greatest hazard and CAUTION the least.

The identifying code EPA assigns to an approved pesticide product, usually a company number and a product number joined by a hyphen. It shows the product and its label have been reviewed and registered.

A state-issued registration under FIFRA Section 24(c) that permits an additional use of an already registered product to solve a local pest problem. The applicator must have the SLN label in hand when using it.

Using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label, such as treating a non-labeled site, exceeding the labeled rate, or skipping required protective equipment. Misuse is a violation of federal law.

An EPA regulation protecting agricultural employees from pesticide exposure. It requires training for workers and handlers, notification of treated areas, decontamination supplies, and limits on entry into treated fields.

The period after an application, stated on the label, during which workers may not enter the treated area without protective equipment because residues still pose a hazard. Entry restrictions end when the interval expires.

The maximum pesticide residue level legally permitted in or on a raw agricultural commodity, set by EPA and enforced by FDA. Residues above the tolerance make the food adulterated and the application unlawful.

A pest management approach that combines monitoring, thresholds, and biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical tactics so pesticides are used only when needed and with the least disruption to beneficial organisms.

The pest population level at which the value of crop damage prevented by treatment equals the cost of that treatment. Treating a population above this level should return more money than it costs.

Regular, systematic inspection of a crop or site to identify pests, estimate their numbers and damage, and record natural enemy activity, providing the field data on which threshold-based control decisions are made.

Management of pests with living natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, either by releasing them, conserving those already present, or introducing them permanently to a new area.

Production practices that make conditions less favorable for pests, including crop rotation, sanitation, adjusted planting dates, resistant varieties, and destruction of crop residue and weed hosts between seasons.

An inherited loss of susceptibility in a pest population, developing when the same product or mode of action is used repeatedly and survivors breed. It is delayed by rotating modes of action and using nonchemical tactics.

The specific way a pesticide disrupts a pest's life process, such as blocking nerve impulses or stopping amino acid synthesis. Products are grouped by mode of action to plan rotations that prevent resistance.

A sharp increase of an organism that was not previously a problem, usually because a broad-spectrum pesticide destroyed its natural enemies. It signals a disrupted program and often requires rethinking chemical choices.

The chemical in a formulated pesticide product that actually controls the target pest. It is named on the label with its concentration, and it determines the product's toxicity and required use rate.

Any substance added to a spray mixture to improve mixing, handling, or effectiveness, such as a surfactant, sticker, or drift retardant. Adjuvants have no pesticidal action of their own.

A liquid formulation in which the active ingredient is dissolved in solvent with emulsifiers so it disperses in water as a milky emulsion. It is easy to measure but can injure sensitive plants and absorb through skin readily.

A finely ground dry formulation that mixes with water to form a suspension, containing active ingredient, carrier, and wetting agents. It needs agitation to stay mixed and can be abrasive to nozzles and pumps.

A liquid formulation of fine solid particles of active ingredient held in water with thickeners and dispersing agents. It is measured by volume, needs agitation, and may settle if left standing in the tank.

The dose of a pesticide that kills half of a test population of animals, usually stated in milligrams per kilogram of body weight. A low value means the product is highly acutely toxic.

The harm caused by a single exposure or short-term contact with a pesticide, measured by oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. These results determine the label's signal word and first aid instructions.

Blocking of the enzyme that normally breaks down the nerve chemical acetylcholine, caused by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. It produces nerve overstimulation, and blood tests can reveal exposure before symptoms appear.

Clothing and equipment the label requires to reduce exposure, such as gloves, coveralls, boots, eye protection, and respirators. The selection must match the product's formulation and the task being performed.

A dangerous build-up of body heat while working in hot weather wearing protective equipment. It is prevented with water, shade, rest breaks, and acclimation, never by removing the protection the label requires.

Measuring and adjusting a sprayer so it delivers the intended volume uniformly over a known area. It balances nozzle output, pressure, speed, and swath width against the rate the label requires.

The amount of formulated product or spray mixture applied per unit area, such as gallons per acre or ounces per 1,000 square feet, exactly as the label directions specify.

The volume of spray a nozzle discharges per unit of time, set by orifice size and pressure. Doubling pressure raises output by about 40 percent, and worn tips deliver more than their rating.

The force, measured in pounds per square inch, that pushes spray solution through the nozzle. It sets both flow rate and droplet size, with higher pressures producing finer, more drift-prone droplets.

Whether two or more pesticide products can be mixed without clumping, separating, or losing effectiveness. A jar test and following the label's mixing order reduce the chance of a failed load.

The off-target movement of pesticide by air during or soon after application. It can injure crops and people and is influenced by droplet size, wind speed, boom height, and equipment setup.

Movement of pesticide gas that evaporates from a treated surface after application, distinct from droplet drift. It is more likely with volatile formulations and high temperatures and can travel long distances.

An untreated strip of ground between the treated area and a sensitive site, required by some labels or regulations. It gives drifting droplets or runoff a chance to settle before reaching the protected area.

A location where pesticide exposure causes serious harm, such as a school, hospital, home, stream, pond, apiary, or habitat of a listed species. Applications near these sites need extra planning and caution.

The downward movement of pesticide through soil with water toward groundwater. Risk is greatest with mobile, long-lasting products, sandy soils, and heavy rain or irrigation soon after treatment.

Pesticide-carrying water that flows over the soil surface after rain or irrigation, entering ditches and streams. It is reduced by buffer strips, careful timing, and avoiding application before expected storms.

Injury to plants caused by a pesticide, appearing as leaf burn, yellowing, curling, or stunting. Causes include excessive rates, sensitive varieties, contaminated tanks, and off-target drift.