WY Pesticide Applicator key terms

A pesticide that EPA has determined may cause unreasonable harm to people or the environment unless applied by or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator; sale and use are limited by federal and state rules.

A person who has passed the required Wyoming competency exams and holds a current license or certification allowing legal use of restricted-use pesticides under the conditions set by law.

A certified applicator who uses or supervises use of restricted-use pesticides on land they own or rent, or on another person's land without compensation, to produce an agricultural commodity.

A certified applicator who applies restricted-use pesticides for hire or on property they do not own or rent, or who supervises such applications as allowed by Wyoming law.

EPA's review and approval of a pesticide product before sale, based on required efficacy, human health, and environmental data; Wyoming may also require state product registration before use.

An EPA regulation protecting agricultural employees from pesticide exposure through training, notification, decontamination supplies, PPE, and restricted-entry intervals on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses.

The written, printed, or graphic material attached to or included with a pesticide container that contains directions, warnings, and legally enforceable use restrictions approved by EPA.

All material accompanying a pesticide product, including the container label, package inserts, brochures, and other written information that EPA considers part of the approved labeling.

A required word on the label indicating relative acute toxicity: DANGER for highly toxic, WARNING for moderately toxic, and CAUTION for slightly toxic products; DANGER-POISON also appears on highly toxic products.

A 16-section document from the manufacturer summarizing a product's hazards, ingredients, first aid, firefighting, spill response, handling, and disposal; it supports but does not replace the pesticide label.

Label wording that warns users about potential hazards to people, animals, or the environment, and tells them how to reduce exposure, such as wearing protective clothing or avoiding water contamination.

The minimum time after a pesticide application during which unprotected workers may not enter a treated area, as stated on the label; it is set to prevent harmful exposure.

The minimum number of days between the last pesticide application and harvest of the crop, as required on the label to keep residues below permitted limits.

The dose of a toxic substance that kills 50 percent of a test animal population, usually expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight; a lower value indicates greater acute toxicity.

A decision-making approach that combines monitoring, cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical controls, using pesticides only when needed, to manage pests economically with minimal harm to people and the environment.

The pest population level at which the cost of control equals the value of crop damage prevented; treating at or above this level is generally economically justified.

The inherited ability of a pest population to survive a pesticide treatment that would normally control it, often developing after repeated use of the same active ingredient or mode of action.

An organism that helps control pests or pollinate crops, such as predatory insects, parasitic wasps, honey bees, and earthworms; protecting these organisms is a goal of integrated pest management.

A liquid formulation made of pesticide dissolved in solvent plus emulsifiers; it mixes with water to form a milky emulsion and often contains organic solvents that can damage sensitive plants or equipment.

A dry formulation of pesticide particles plus inert ingredients that forms a suspension when mixed with water; it requires constant agitation and can leave visible residue on treated surfaces.

A liquid formulation with pesticide particles suspended in water plus dispersants and thickeners; it is mixed with water, requires agitation, and generally contains less solvent than an emulsifiable concentrate.

A substance added to a spray mixture to improve performance, such as a surfactant that helps the spray spread, a sticker that improves adhesion, or a drift-control agent.

The ability of two or more pesticide products and adjuvants to be mixed without reducing efficacy, causing physical separation, or creating hazardous reactions; a jar test can check compatibility.

Clothing and equipment worn to reduce exposure to pesticides, such as gloves, coveralls, boots, eye protection, and respirators; the label specifies the minimum PPE required for the product.

Pesticide contact with the skin, which is a common route of poisoning; it can be reduced by wearing label-required gloves and clothing and by washing promptly after contact.

Equipment worn over the nose and mouth, such as a respirator with cartridges or a dust/mist filter, to reduce inhalation of pesticide vapors, dusts, or mists; the label specifies the type required.

An enzyme in the nervous system that is inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides; monitoring may be required for handlers to detect excessive exposure before symptoms appear.

Immediate care given after pesticide exposure, such as moving to fresh air, washing skin, flushing eyes, or calling poison control; label first-aid directions should be followed.

The process of measuring and adjusting application equipment so it delivers the intended amount of pesticide uniformly over a known area, reducing under-application, over-application, and off-target movement.

The sprayer component that breaks liquid into droplets and controls spray pattern, droplet size, and application rate; selecting and maintaining the correct nozzle is essential for accurate, low-drift application.

The movement of pesticide droplets or particles through the air to an area outside the target site during or shortly after application; it can be reduced by proper nozzle choice, pressure, and weather conditions.

The tendency of a pesticide to change from liquid to vapor; volatile products can move off-site as vapor drift, so labels may restrict use when temperatures are high.

The downward movement of pesticides through soil with water toward groundwater; it is more likely with highly soluble products, sandy soils, and excessive irrigation or rainfall.

The movement of pesticide-containing water over the soil surface into ditches, streams, or ponds; it can be reduced by respecting buffer zones, avoiding application before rain, and using conservation practices.

An untreated area between a pesticide application site and sensitive areas such as water, homes, or schools, required by some labels to protect people and the environment from drift and runoff.

A plant or animal listed by federal or state agencies as at risk of extinction; pesticide labels may prohibit or restrict use in designated areas to protect listed species and their habitat.

A set of absorbent materials, containers, and protective equipment kept available to contain and clean up pesticide spills safely; it should be matched to the products being handled and stored.

A container-cleaning procedure in which a pesticide container is rinsed three times with a small amount of water or compatible solvent, with each rinse added to the spray tank, to remove residues before disposal.

A structure such as a berm, dike, or tray placed under storage containers to catch leaks or spills and prevent pesticides from reaching soil, groundwater, or surface water.

The practice of keeping pesticides in a locked, ventilated, dry area away from food, feed, children, and animals, with containers kept closed and labels intact to prevent accidents and contamination.