PA Pesticide Applicator flashcards
PA Pesticide Applicator · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- FIFRA
- The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act governs pesticide registration, labeling, and use in the United States; using a product inconsistent with its label is a violation.
- Restricted-use pesticide
- A pesticide that may cause unreasonable adverse effects without additional regulatory controls; it may be applied only by or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
- Signal word
- A word on the label indicating acute toxicity: DANGER for Category I, WARNING for Category II, and CAUTION for Category III or IV products.
- DANGER-POISON
- Label designation for the most toxic Category I products, accompanied by the skull and crossbones symbol; indicates high acute toxicity by oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure.
- Restricted-entry interval
- The REI is the minimum time after application before workers may enter a treated area without protective equipment; early entry requires label-specified PPE.
- Preharvest interval
- The PHI is the minimum number of days between the last pesticide application and harvest of the crop, specified on the label to limit residues.
- Label is the law
- The pesticide label is a legally binding document; applying a product in a manner inconsistent with its directions or restrictions violates federal law.
- Direct supervision
- For restricted-use pesticides, a certified applicator must be available to supervise and direct the application, with responsibility for the application's compliance with the label.
- PPE label requirement
- Personal protective equipment requirements are product-specific and listed on the label; applicators must wear at least the gloves, coveralls, footwear, and respirator specified.
- Respirator fit test
- A fit test verifies that a tight-fitting respirator seals to the face; medical clearance and fit testing are required before use in pesticide applications.
- Spill containment
- Spill response protects people first, stops the source if safe, contains the spill with absorbent material, and disposes of waste according to label and state rules.
- Leaching risk factors
- High soil permeability, low organic matter, high water solubility, and heavy rain after application increase the chance a pesticide moves downward into groundwater.
- Runoff risk factors
- Slope, compacted soil, impermeable surfaces, and rainfall soon after application increase the chance a pesticide moves over the surface into surface water.
- Drift reduction
- Lower pressure, larger droplets, drift-reducing nozzles, and applying during low steady wind reduce off-target pesticide movement; avoid inversions and gusty conditions.
- Temperature inversion
- A layer of cool air trapped under warmer air suppresses vertical mixing; small droplets can travel long distances laterally, so spraying during inversions is avoided.
- Application records
- State law requires records of applications, commonly including date, location, product name, EPA registration number, rate, and applicator identity, retained for a set period.
- EPA registration number
- A unique number assigned to each registered pesticide product, identifying the registrant and product; it appears on the label and in application records.
- Toxicity categories
- EPA groups pesticides into Categories I through IV by acute oral, dermal, inhalation, and eye or skin irritation data; Category I is most toxic.
- Calibration formula
- Gallons per acre = (nozzle output in ounces per minute × 60) ÷ (speed in mph × swath width in feet) × 5,495; recalibrate after equipment or speed changes.
- Nozzle replacement rule
- Replace a nozzle when its output exceeds 10 percent of the rated flow or its spray pattern is visibly distorted, to maintain accurate application rates.
- Integrated pest management
- IPM combines monitoring, thresholds, sanitation, and biological controls; pesticides are applied only when pest populations exceed an established action threshold.
- Action threshold
- The pest population level at which treatment is justified to prevent unacceptable damage; monitoring data are compared to this level before applying a pesticide.
- Resistance management
- Rotating pesticide mode-of-action groups and using nonchemical controls slows the development of pest resistance to a given product or chemical family.
- Tamper-resistant bait station
- A locked or secured station that holds rodenticide bait and restricts access by children, pets, and non-target animals, as required by label directions.
- Granular application
- Granular formulations are applied to soil, turf, or around plants with spreaders; they reduce drift but require incorporation or watering per the label.
- Buffer zone
- A specified untreated distance between the application area and sensitive sites such as water, dwellings, or schools, stated on the label for certain products or categories.
- Aquatic setback
- Aquatic-labeled products require maintaining setbacks and buffer strips from water bodies and applying only to sites specifically listed on the label.
- Rights-of-way application
- Applications along roads, railways, and utility corridors require products labeled for that site, control of drift onto adjacent property, and attention to public access.
- Triple rinsing
- Rinsing a pesticide container three times with a small amount of diluent and adding the rinsate to the spray tank removes residue before disposal or recycling.
- Volatility and drift
- Volatile formulations can vaporize and move off target after application; avoid high temperatures and use less volatile formulations near sensitive crops.
- Grazing restriction
- A label statement specifying the interval after application before livestock may graze or forage treated areas or be fed treated crops.
- Structural pest application
- Indoor and structural treatments use crack-and-crevice, bait, or spot applications per the label, avoiding contamination of food, utensils, and occupied surfaces.