⚠️ Signal Words
DANGER / POISONHighly toxic — LD50 very low. Skull & crossbones.
WARNINGModerately toxic. Intermediate hazard.
CAUTIONSlightly or relatively non-toxic. Lowest hazard.
LD50Dose that kills 50% of test animals. Lower = more toxic.
🥼 PPE Requirements
DANGER productsFull PPE: respirator, gloves, goggles, coveralls
WARNING productsGloves, protective eyewear, long sleeves
CAUTION productsMinimum: gloves, long pants/sleeves
Respirator typesAir-purifying vs. supplied-air — label specifies
Eye protectionGoggles > face shield > safety glasses
🧪 Formulation Types
WP / WDGWettable powder / Water-dispersible granule — mix with water
ECEmulsifiable concentrate — oil in water, milky mix
SC / FSuspension concentrate / Flowable — pre-mixed liquid
G / GRGranular — applied dry, low drift risk
DDust — fine particle, high drift risk
FumigantGas or vapor — special license required
📜 Key Laws
FIFRAFederal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act — federal pesticide law
Illinois Pesticide ActState law that enforces FIFRA at IL level (IDOA)
Label = LawUsing a pesticide off-label is a federal violation
RUPRestricted Use Pesticide — only licensed applicators can buy/use
Passing score70% (35/50 category; 70/100 General Standards)
🌿 Environmental Protection
DriftMovement of spray off-target. Reduce: larger droplets, lower pressure, no wind
RunoffPesticide moving with water. Buffer zones protect waterways.
LeachingMovement through soil into groundwater. Sandy soils = higher risk.
Buffer zoneDistance required between application and sensitive sites
Re-entry intervalTime before workers can re-enter treated area — on label
🔧 Nozzle Types
Flat fanMost common. Uniform coverage. Boom spraying.
Hollow conePenetrates dense foliage. Good for tree/shrub coverage.
Solid coneHeavy deposit, close range.
Flood / BoomjetSoil incorporation, large droplets, low drift.
Lower pressure= larger droplets = less drift