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
* Think of a formulation as a recipe
* Carrier for the active ingredient or ingredients
* Makes application of the active feasible
* Allows the active to be applied in its most efficient manner
(17) Types of Formulations
* Aerosols, foggers
* Emulsifiable concentrates (most common)
* Wettable powders
* Dusts
* Flowables -- water based
* Suspensions
* Microencapsulations
* Granules
(18) Why are There So Many Types?
* Active Ingredient plays major role, based on solubility: liquid
or crystalline
* Use patterns, fits for different applications, different pests
* Formulation can affect performance
** Length of residual, knockdown
* Market differentiation
(19) Pesticide--Basics
* Pesticide products are an essential element to control pests.
* Pesticides should not be relied on solely to control pests.
* An integrated approach can reduce the amount of pesticides used
and reduce the potential for resistance development.
* Pesticides are tools that improve profits, protect valuable
commodities, and protect humans and pets from disease transmitting
arthropods.
(20) Incidentals
* Mail order, Web purchases are OK as long as the product is
registered in the receiving state
** Same is true with foreign sales, outside US products must carry
federal and state registration, otherwise it is illegal to purchase or
use
* Generic active ingredients must go through the registration
process at both the state and federal level
** No rubber stamp with Generic chemistry
(21) Helpful Numbers & Websites
* ChemTrec 1-800-262-2800
** Universal poison and spill hotline
** http://www.chemtrec.org
* http://www.EPA.gov
* Manufacturers websites
** Source for labels and MSDS
* State and local Ag extension offices
Gerry Hutney
Central Life Sciences/Wellmark ghutney@central.com
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Presentation to the Lambert Spawn/Mushroom Central Pesticide
Meeting Feb. 19, 2008
COPYRIGHT 2008 American Mushroom
Institute Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.