Pesticide Safety and Handling
Toxicity and signal words
This domain tests whether you can select PPE, prevent exposure, and react to a spill. Signal words summarize acute toxicity: DANGER (Category I, often with POISON and skull-and-crossbones), WARNING (Category II), CAUTION (III/IV). DANGER alone may mean corrosive or severe eye/skin hazard rather than oral toxicity.
PPE and exposure
Follow the label's PPE section for the product and task; it can change for mixing/loading versus application. Use chemical-resistant gloves, not leather, with concentrates. Respirators require fit testing and the correct cartridge; a dust mask does not protect against vapors. Know the restricted-entry interval (REI) and preharvest interval (PHI) and keep workers out during the REI.
Transport, storage, spills
Keep products in original labeled containers, secured and separated from food, feed, and medication. For a spill: protect people, stop the source, contain with absorbent, and avoid hosing material into a drain. Reportable releases go to NYSDEC's spill hotline.
Worked example
Label: 1.0 oz product per 1,000 sq ft, mixed in 2 gal water per 1,000 sq ft; job is 4,500 sq ft. Product = 1.0 x 4.5 = 4.5 oz; water = 2 x 4.5 = 9 gal. If the label requires a respirator with a P100 filter and chemical-resistant gloves for mixing, wear them even if the job is small.
Traps
More-is-better dosing; wearing leather gloves with concentrate; entering during the REI; using a dust mask for solvent vapors; and washing a spill into a storm drain.