Federal Pesticide Law Quiz

The most prominent federal pesticide law, overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates the use and registration of pesticides.

A process where manufacturers must submit data to the EPA proving the effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact of a pesticide, including chemical composition, toxicology, environmental fate, and efficacy.

Pesticides considered more hazardous than general-use pesticides, requiring certified applicators or direct supervision by a certified applicator for use, protecting human health and the environment.

A person who applies pesticides for their own agricultural or personal use.

A person who applies pesticides to other people's properties for a fee.

A person who applies pesticides for their own business or organization but not for others.

When state and federal laws differ, the stricter law takes precedence. Usually, federal law prevails, but checking with local agencies is crucial.

Records of pesticide applications, including the product, application date, location, and amount used, must be kept by the applicator for at least two years.

A lower LD50 or LC50 value indicates that a pesticide is more toxic.

Pesticide toxicity categories are based on their LD50 or LC50 values, which determine the amount needed to kill 50% of test subjects. The signal word on the label indicates the toxicity category: - Danger: Highly toxic - Warning: Moderately toxic - Caution: Slightly toxic

Pesticides can cause a variety of symptoms like skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even more severe effects like organ damage or death.

Wearing appropriate PPE is crucial, but additional measures like washing hands, avoiding eating or drinking in application areas, and showering after work further reduce exposure.

Effective PPE should be comfortable, durable, easy to use, and provide proper protection, but these features can sometimes make workers less likely to wear it due to discomfort, heat stress, or feeling cumbersome.

Work clothes, spray suits, and eye protection should be clean and in good condition. Wear appropriate clothing and store it separately from everyday clothes. Wear eye protection that offers adequate coverage and seal.

Choose gloves based on the specific pesticide being handled, and wear them correctly to ensure proper protection. - Nitrile gloves: Offer good chemical resistance. - Neoprene gloves: Good general-purpose resistance. - Butyl gloves: Excellent resistance to many chemicals.

Common types of respirators include - Half-mask respirators: Cover nose & mouth. - Full-face respirators: Cover entire face. - Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs): Powered air for better protection. Each type has a different level of protection and is suitable for various situations.

Assume exposure if you have direct contact with a pesticide product, its container, or the application area. You should consider exposure if you were present during application or mixing.

Labels provide instructions on first aid, emergency contact info, and precautions. SDSs offer detailed information like chemical properties, hazards, and specific first aid procedures.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe reactions like difficulty breathing, vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness.

Call the emergency services immediately. Provide the victim's information, the pesticide involved, and the nature of exposure. Keep the victim stable and follow instructions from the medical professionals.

Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse the affected area with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. If the pesticide is in powder form, brush it off before rinsing. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.

Move the victim to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen if available. Seek medical advice for any respiratory issues.

Flush the eyes with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. Ensure the water flows from the inside corner of the eye outwards. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Heat stress symptoms include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. In severe cases, heat stroke can occur.

Mixing and loading pesticides near water sources can contaminate the water supply, harming both humans and the environment. It can also expose workers to dangerous chemicals.

State laws and pesticide labels often prohibit mixing, loading, or cleaning pesticide equipment near wells or service water sources.

A spill containment pad or mixing and loading pad is necessary when handling large quantities of pesticide, preventing accidental spills and ensuring proper cleanup.

You cannot directly apply pesticides into "Waters of the state" or allow them to enter through runoff or spills, protecting aquatic ecosystems.

To protect water sources, mix and load pesticides only in designated areas, use protective gear, and minimize spills. Properly dispose of pesticide waste and clean up spills.

Rinsing pesticide containers thoroughly helps remove product residue, preventing contamination and promoting safe disposal. The rinse water can be used for future applications.

Physical incompatibility occurs when pesticides mix poorly, resulting in clumping or separation. Chemical incompatibility happens when pesticides react, causing unwanted changes, like decreased efficacy or increased toxicity.

A pesticide becomes waste when it is no longer useful for its intended purpose, leftover from application, or expired. The person who used or generated the pesticide is responsible for its proper disposal.

A chemical is classified as hazardous if it exhibits one or more specific characteristics that pose risks to human health or the environment.

Properly dispose of hazardous waste by following regulations and using authorized disposal facilities. Improper disposal leads to fines and penalties, so be responsible.

Emergency planning helps prepare for accidents involving pesticides, preventing harm to people and the environment. It includes actions like evacuation plans and spill response procedures.

An accidental release of a hazardous substance, such as pesticides, into the environment. It could happen from a broken container, leaking storage, or during application.

The three stages of spill management are to contain the spill, control the spread, and clean up the affected area.

If your work involves certain pesticides, you might need to report information to the EPA and local agencies. This helps the government be aware of pesticide use and be prepared in case of emergencies.

A facility site plan shows details of your property relevant to handling pesticides, like building locations, spill containment areas, and emergency exits.

Depending on the severity of the spill, size, location, and the substance spilled, you might need to report the incident to local authorities, state agencies, or the EPA.

Ensuring the correct amount of pesticide is applied, crucial for effective pest control, minimizing environmental impact, and protecting human health.

Factors like nozzle size, sprayer pressure, and travel speed influence how much pesticide is applied per unit area.

The uniform distribution of the pesticide over the target area. This means applying the correct amount to ensure effective pest control and minimize over-application.

A method of calibration where you walk at a specific speed over a measured distance, adjusting the pesticide flow rate until the correct volume is applied.

A method of calibration that involves measuring the area you will be treating and calculating how much pesticide is needed to cover that area.

The process of ensuring the correct amount of pesticide is being released from the sprayer over a set distance.

A method of calibration that involves measuring the area to be treated, setting the flow rate, and adjusting the speed to ensure the correct amount of pesticide is applied to the target area.

Pesticides can spread through the environment through various pathways, including wind, water, and soil movement.