Toxicity Levels in Pesticides

Series Summary

Organic gardening: more than just a hobby. Today we know that many of the pesticides, fertilizers, and treatments used in commercial and home agriculture are hazardous to the environment. Whereas at one point in history it was ‘okay’ to drain all the nutrients from the soil and poison any insects living there, rendering the land dead and stagnant, and then simply move on to fresher pastures, today people are concerned with their ecological ‘footprint’ and recognizing the damage our gardening products (like weed killer and pesticides) have on the environment and human health. Cattle are often treated with hormones to produce more milk or larger muscles, and many of them are bombarded by pesticides and chemicals from the grass and feed they eat regularly. Organic gardening is part of the counter-movement, a small step in the right direction that teaches people to trust nature and the natural ways food, flowers, and herbs are produced.

In this free video, expert grower Travis Steglich teaches you the basics of handling your pesticides. You will learn the importance of reading the labels, because the labels on pesticide are the law. Using pesticides in any way that differs from the instructions on the label is a federal felony. Travis also fills you in on levels of toxicity and how labels warn consumers. You will even get tips on personal protective equipment. It is all here.

Video Transcript

"Every pesticide product that you'll find for use for home and garden will have signal words. These signal words are going to be on all products whether or not if you mix them in a sprayer or if they are ready to use in a air sole can or out of a pumper sprayer. They will have all signal words, caution signal words are the least dangerous the least powerful of the chemicals. It doesn't mean that they are dangerous but at least it tells you how powerful the chemical is and what the hazardous are. Danger is the next step up in toxicity or hazardous associated to the product and then warning is the most powerful chemicals caution word, signal word. The use of these words gives the user an idea of how dangerous or how much caution needs to be used when handling or applying and using these products."