How to Tell the Toxicity Levels in Pesticides

The average home has a variety of pesticides in use, from insect sprays to garden pesticides to animal control chemicals. Knowing how to determine the toxicity levels in pesticides is a health and safety issue. Learn how simple words have new meanings when it comes to toxicity and pesticides.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pesticide bags and bottles
• MSDS forms (found online)

1. Take the bag, can or box that contains the pesticide and look for "signal words:" caution, danger, or warning.

2. "Caution" is the lowest level of toxicity. Read the label and follow the safety instructions for how to handle the pesticide.

3. The signal word "Danger" is one step up from "Caution" and means that the toxicity level is higher and more dangerous.

4. "Warning" is the most severe of the signal words. Take extreme care in dealing with pesticides that reach this level of toxicity.

5. Material Safety Data Sheets, or MSDS, are forms used to define all chemicals, including pesticides. Consult the MSDS for the pesticide you are using, to understand more about risks and toxic issues related to the chemicals.

Tips & Warnings

• Never touch pesticides with bare hands.
• Certain pesticides should not be mixed with other substances. Read labels carefully.
• Call poison control immediately if you touch, inhale, or ingest pesticides.

Resources

• MSDS information