Blogs 1-6 of “Parts of the Pesticide Label” covered safety, both personal and everything else, and how to use the product, is there anything left to cover? Well after using a product we either need to store or dispose of it if it’s empty. So the last blog on labels is about the last thing we do with a pesticide, or “How Do I Get Rid Of It?”
Storage or disposal is the last action to take with a pesticide and as such is typically found at the end of a label. However, there are now some labels that put storage and disposal up with the first page of the label. Ruins the whole logic thing but be aware it is occasionally up near the front. This shouldn’t matter though because we are reading the entire label, every time, right?
Storage and disposal will tell you what temperature ranges you might need to store it in, what NOT to store it with, and any other special considerations that might impact safety. There will also be instructions on how to clean out the container, which might differ depending on the size of your container and if it is refillable or not. Labels will give clear instructions on how to clean out, simply saying triple rinse isn’t enough. To properly perform a triple rinse requires reading and following the instructions ON the label.
Every label will be a little different, but the overall theme is the same: properly store this product, properly clean this container, properly dispose of this container and any waste, DO NOT reuse this container. That last one is a classic label violation that has ensnared many an application operation. Now we have a better understanding of “How Do I Get Rid Of It?” and have completed our journey through the pesticide label.
Labels are sometimes complicated and we did NOT cover every detail or nuance here. However, the goal with this series was to explain the layout of a label and WHY it is organized the way it is so that information can be more easily found. At a minimum we must be LEGAL when we apply pesticides, The Label is The Law. To do that we need to understand and USE the label. The more you read the label, the easier it is to be compliant with the law. The next step is to move beyond just legal and begin to focus on good stewardship.
To recap the major parts of the label are:
- What is it?
- Is it Dangerous?
- What if it gets on me?
- How do I keep it off me?
- How do I keep others and the environment safe?
- How do I use it?
- How do I get rid of it?
Thank you for sticking with this entire series and I am glad you took time to join us for National Pesticide Safety Education Month. Now, time for a break and….Go Gators!
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