How many toxicity categories are used on pesticide labeling?

Pesticide labeling uses three toxicity categories to communicate the potential hazards of the pesticide products. These categories are designed to inform users about the level of toxicity, which is critical for safe handling, application, and storage of the products.

The three categories are generally classified as follows:

1. Category I - Highly toxic (danger). This category indicates that the product can cause severe damage or even death with minimal exposure and therefore mandates specific handling precautions.

2. Category II - Moderately toxic (warning). Products in this category pose a moderate risk of harm and require users to take appropriate safety measures.

3. Category III - Slightly toxic (caution). These products are less toxic and imply that they pose a lower risk, although caution is still necessary.

These toxicity levels are important for agricultural workers and consumers as they provide essential information needed to ensure safe use and minimize health risks associated with pesticides. The use of these categories helps regulatory agencies enforce safety standards and informs educational efforts regarding pesticide applicator training and safety practices.