Ontario Pesticide Core Exam key terms

Ontario's provincial statute controlling the sale, use, storage, transport and disposal of pesticides; it creates licensing, classification, permitting and enforcement powers, while the detailed operating rules sit in regulations made under it.

The main regulation under Ontario's Pesticides Act. It sets pesticide classes, licence and permit requirements, the cosmetic-use ban, buffer and notice rules, record-keeping duties and other day-to-day obligations for applicators and vendors.

Federal Canadian law requiring that every pesticide imported, sold or used in Canada be registered by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and setting national rules for labels, packaging, claims and maximum residue limits.

A credential issued under Ontario's Pesticides Act that allows a person to apply pesticides as a business or as an employee. It is issued in classes matching the type of work and must stay valid and available for inspection.

A regulatory grouping assigned to pesticide products in Ontario, running from tightly restricted to general use. The class decides who may sell, buy, possess or apply the product and what licence, permit or training is needed.

An Ontario rule banning the use of prescribed pesticides on lawns, gardens, schoolyards and similar outdoor spaces purely for appearance, with narrow exceptions and a list of lower-risk products that remain allowed.

A decision-making approach that combines monitoring, pest identification, thresholds and a mix of biological, cultural, physical and chemical controls, using pesticides only when other tactics cannot keep pests below damaging levels.

The pest population level at which the cost of control equals the value of crop loss the pest would cause; treatment is expected to pay for itself only when pest numbers are above this point.

Regular, systematic inspection of a crop, building or site to identify pests, measure their numbers and life stages, and detect natural enemies, giving the information needed to decide whether and how to treat.

Managing pests by using or encouraging living natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids and pathogens, either by conserving those already present on the site or by releasing commercially produced organisms.

The dose of a substance, usually expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight, that kills half of a test population of animals. A lower value means greater acute toxicity.

Harm caused by a single short-term exposure, usually described by effects such as skin or eye irritation, breathing difficulty, or death within a short period after the exposure occurs.

Harm that follows repeated or long-lasting exposure over weeks, months or years, such as organ damage, cancer or effects on reproduction, and is not predicted from a single-dose test alone.

The way a pesticide enters the body: through the skin or eyes (dermal), by breathing it in (inhalation), or by swallowing it (oral). Knowing the main route guides protective equipment choices.

The clothing and equipment worn to keep pesticides off the body, such as gloves, coveralls, boots, eye protection and respirators. The label states the minimum that must be worn for that product and task.

An enzyme that breaks down the nerve signal chemical acetylcholine. Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides can block it, so monitoring this enzyme in blood can reveal overexposure before obvious symptoms appear.

The specific way a pesticide harms a pest, such as blocking a nerve receptor, inhibiting an enzyme, or disrupting cell membrane formation. Modes of action are used to group products for rotation.

A heritable decrease in a pest population's sensitivity to a pesticide, so that the labelled rate no longer gives acceptable control. It develops when survivors of repeated treatments pass resistant traits to their offspring.

A code on the label, assigned by international action committees, that identifies products sharing the same mode of action. Rotating between different group numbers helps slow the development of resistance.

A liquid formulation in which the active ingredient is dissolved in solvent with emulsifiers, so it mixes with water to form a milky emulsion. It pours easily but the solvent may damage surfaces or protective equipment.

A dry formulation of active ingredient with fillers and wetting agents that is mixed with water and sprayed as a suspension. It needs constant agitation and can be inhaled as dust while being measured.

A liquid formulation with solid active ingredient particles held in water by dispersants and thickeners. It is diluted for spraying, needs agitation, and avoids the dust of powders and the solvents of emulsifiable concentrates.

A material added to the spray tank to change the spray's properties, for example helping it spread on leaves, stick, penetrate, buffer pH or reduce drift. Only adjuvants permitted by the label should be used.

The complete set of directions, restrictions and warnings approved for a product when it was registered, and legally part of the product. Applying a pesticide in a way that conflicts with the label is an offence.

A supplier document giving hazard, handling and emergency information for a product, including first aid, spill and fire measures and required protective equipment. It supports, but does not replace, the label directions.

A short warning printed on the label, either Caution, Warning or Danger (often with the word Poison), that reflects the product's acute toxicity and shows how serious the hazard is.

The minimum number of days that must pass between the last pesticide application and harvesting the crop, so that residues are below the legal limit when the food is sold.

The period after an application during which workers may not enter the treated area without the protective equipment the label specifies, unless the label allows a short early-entry task.

Movement of pesticides downward through soil with water into deeper layers or groundwater. It is more likely with soluble products, sandy soils, and heavy rain or irrigation soon after application.

Pesticide carried across the soil surface by rain or irrigation water into ditches, streams or ponds. Slopes, compacted soil, and applying just before a forecast storm increase the risk.

How long a pesticide stays active in soil, water or on plants. Half-life is the time for half the amount present to break down, so longer values mean greater carry-over and off-target risk.

A strip of untreated land or vegetation between a treated area and a sensitive feature such as water, a home or a well, where no pesticide is applied. Its width is set by the label or by regulation.

Movement of spray droplets or vapour away from the target area by wind or air currents. It can damage neighbouring crops, harm people and wildlife, and contaminate water, and is reduced by correct nozzles, pressure and weather.

The process of measuring and adjusting application equipment so it delivers the intended rate of product over the area to be treated. Regular calibration prevents under-dosing, over-dosing and illegal application rates.

Immediate simple care given to someone exposed to a pesticide before professional help arrives, following the label or safety data sheet: move to fresh air, rinse skin or eyes, remove contaminated clothing, and call for help.

A prepared set of absorbent material, containers, tools, protective equipment and warning signs kept where pesticides are handled, so a small spill can be contained and cleaned up immediately.

The legal duty to notify authorities about a pesticide spill or release, for example Ontario's Spills Action Centre, when it may harm the environment or people; the label and regulations set out who must be told and when.

A method of cleaning empty pesticide containers by filling them about one-quarter full, shaking, and pouring the rinse water into the spray tank three times, so the containers can be safely disposed of.

Keeping pesticides locked up, in their original labelled containers, in a dry, ventilated area away from food, feed, seed and water sources, with access limited to people who are trained and authorized.

Federal rules for moving hazardous materials, including many pesticides, by road; they require correct classification, packaging, labels or placards and shipping documents, and driver training for larger quantities.