Pesticides: back to basics

Mushroom News, April, 2008 by Gerry Hutney

The following PowerPoint review of pesticides was presented at the Mushroom Central and L.F. Lambert Spawn Co. pesticide meeting in February. The presentation explains the various types of pest control, registration requirements, label components, worker protection language and formulations.

(1) Back to Basics--EPA

* The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1972 to regulate the pesticide industry.

* EPA is responsible for the registration of all active ingredients and end use product forms.

* EPA requires batteries of tests for active ingredients, inert ingredients and for end use products.

* Registrations are granted only after close scrutiny of submitted tests.

* EPA classifies registrations based on the outcome of these tests.

* EPA is basically in the risk assessment business.

(2)

* A pesticide is anything that is used to control unwanted species.

** Insecticide -- Insect control

** Herbicide -- Weed control

** Fungicide -- Fungus/bacteria control

** Miticide -- Mite control

* Regulation of pesticides began in 1972.

(3) State Registrations

* States also register pesticides.

* EPA registration is not a universal call to use.

* Most states rubber stamp the EPA but some require additional tests.

* States can levy fines to the registrant, distributor, and end user if a product is sold or used in a state that has not registered the product.

(4) EPA

* Pesticides are registered under one of three branches:

** Biochemical -- soft chemistries; genetic engineered organisms, some Insect Growth Regulators

** Office of pesticide programs -- traditional chemistry; pyrethroid, organo-phosphates

** Antimicrobials -- anti-bacterial products

(5) Pesticide Label Components

* The label is the law

** "It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."

* Labels are broken into four basic areas:

** Active ingredient statement -- % of Al in product

** Precautionary language -- Safety information

** Directions for use -- How, where, when to use

** Storage and disposal -- Conditions to store and what to do with excess or leftover product

(6) Active Ingredient Statement

ACTIVE INGREDIENT:

(S)-Methoprene (CAS #65733-16.6)   33.6%
OTHER INGREDIENTS %                66.4%
Total                             100.0%

*Contains petroleum distillates

This product contains 2.5 lb/gallon (300 grams/liter) (S)-methoprene active ingredient.

EPA Reg No. 2724-427

(7) Precautionary Language

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(8) Directions for Use

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(9) Storage & Disposal

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(10) EPA

* Registrations are classified into three categories of precautionary language or signal words. Classifications are made based on the results of the toxicological and environmental studies.

** Caution -- least toxic

** Warning -- moderately toxic

** Danger -- severely toxic (Typically restricted use)

(11) Signal Word

* The lowest category is Caution and this will apply to seemingly low toxicity products, even natural products will carry Caution.

* The signal word is the most prominent sized font on the label and it will appear just below the active ingredient statement.

* The precautionary language appears below the signal word and provides safety information on worker protection, first aid and environmental hazards.

(12) Pesticide Use--Requirements

* Purchase and use of a pesticide may have different requirements for different states.

* Most states require a pesticide applicator's license to buy or use for non-consumer products. This can depend on whether the use is for hire, personal or on-farm

* Restricted use products will require a license to purchase.

* Check with your state Ag department with any questions on use and or purchase.

* Always READ and follow label instructions

** The label will tell you where, when, how much, and in what use pattern to use the product.

** Label tells you what to do in case of an emergency. This includes emergency phone numbers and medical advice.

** Label provides manufacturer contact information.

(13) Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

* Label language that is special for agricultural uses

** "Agricultural Use Requirement"

* Not all products have WPS language

** Consumer, pest control, etc

*** Non-ag uses

*** Some labels have dual uses

**** Only applies to Ag uses

* Safety language; directed at Ag workers

** Contains PPE and REI information

* Reentry Interval (REI)

** Time needed to re-enter a treated area

** Varies on product from 4-24 hours

(14) Worker Protection Language

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(15) Pesticide Use

* Pesticides should always be used in a manner consistent with the label.

* The appropriate product should be used for the appropriate pest (i.e. don't use a fungicide as a growth regulator)

* Use the appropriate formulation for the site

** Some products have the same A.I. but different formulas

* Example: Sevin is used to control plant feeding pests as a liquid, but is used on animals as a dust for fleas.

(16) Pesticide Basics--Formulation

* Most active ingredients need to be diluted