MI Pesticide Applicator flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

FIFRA

Federal law governing pesticide registration, labeling, sale, distribution, and use in the United States; EPA administers it, and states may enforce stricter rules.

Section 18 exemption

EPA authorization for emergency use of an unregistered pesticide for a limited time and specific site when no registered product can control the pest.

Section 24(c) registration

Special local need registration allowing a state to add a use to a federally registered pesticide label for a specific local pest or site.

Restricted-use pesticide

Pesticide that may harm humans or the environment and is sold only to certified applicators or used under their direct supervision as the label requires.

Label misuse

Using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label directions; this violates FIFRA and can bring civil or criminal penalties.

Michigan Part 83

Part 83 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451, governs pesticide registration, licensing, certification, use, and enforcement by MDARD.

WPS training interval

Agricultural employers must train workers and handlers about pesticide safety before work and at least every 12 months thereafter under the Worker Protection Standard.

Signal word Danger

Label signal word for the most toxic pesticide categories; often paired with a skull-and-crossbones symbol for acute oral, dermal, or inhalation toxicity.

Dermal exposure

Pesticide contact with skin, the most common route of applicator exposure; absorption increases with warm skin, moisture, cuts, or solvent carriers.

Cholinesterase inhibition

Toxic mechanism of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides; it disrupts nerve signaling and causes symptoms such as sweating, salivation, vomiting, and blurred vision.

Pesticide first aid

Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, flush eyes for 15 minutes, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 with the label.

Heat stress

Illness from high temperature and protective clothing; symptoms include weakness, dizziness, and heavy sweating, and cooling and fluids usually improve it.

Respirator fit test

Required check that a tight-fitting respirator seals to the face; it must be repeated annually and whenever facial changes affect the seal.

Chemical-resistant gloves

Gloves made of materials such as nitrile or neoprene that resist pesticide penetration; leather and cotton absorb liquids and are not suitable barriers.

Economic threshold

Pest population density at which control action should be taken to prevent the pest population from causing economic loss.

Economic injury level

Lowest pest population that causes crop loss equal to the cost of control; it is the basis for setting economic thresholds.

IPM scouting

Regular field inspection using counts, traps, and records to identify pests and beneficials, determine life stages, and decide whether treatment is needed.

Mode of action rotation

Resistance management practice of alternating pesticide groups with different IRAC or FRAC codes instead of repeating one mode of action.

Disease triangle

Plant disease requires a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, and favorable environmental conditions; removing one factor can prevent disease.

Conservation biocontrol

Protecting natural enemies by reducing broad-spectrum insecticide use, providing habitat, and choosing selective products when chemical control is necessary.

EC formulation

Emulsifiable concentrate; a liquid formulation containing pesticide, solvent, and emulsifier that mixes with water to form an emulsion and can be volatile.

Wettable powder

Dry powder formulation that forms a suspension in water; it requires agitation and can leave visible residue on treated surfaces.

Adjuvant

Material added to a spray mixture to improve performance, such as a surfactant that helps spray droplets wet and spread on leaf surfaces.

EPA registration number

Unique identifier on a pesticide label showing the product has been registered by EPA; it is used in records and to verify the product.

Soil adsorption

Binding of pesticide to soil clay and organic matter; greater adsorption reduces leaching and runoff, while sandy low-organic-matter soils increase groundwater risk.

Buffer zone

Label-required untreated distance between an application area and sensitive sites such as water, homes, or schools, intended to reduce drift or runoff exposure.

GPA calibration formula

Gallons per acre equals gallons per minute per nozzle times 5940, divided by miles per hour times nozzle spacing in inches.

1/128 acre method

Calibration method in which sprayer output collected in ounces over 1/128 acre equals gallons per acre; 1/128 acre is 340 square feet.

Nozzle wear threshold

Replace spray nozzles when their output exceeds the new-nozzle rate by about 10 percent, because worn nozzles distort pattern and increase application rate.

Droplet size drift

Smaller spray droplets remain airborne longer and drift farther; coarser droplets reduce drift but can increase runoff and reduce coverage.

Application record

Required documentation of date, site, pest, product and EPA number, rate, area treated, applicator, and weather for each pesticide application.

Triple rinse

Cleaning procedure that empties, fills, agitates, and drains a container three times, with rinse water added to the spray tank or disposed of properly.