NYS PCO NYS PCO Pesticide Safety and PPE 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Pesticide labels are legally binding under which federal law?
- FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) (Correct answer)
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
- Clean Water Act
- Toxic Substances Control Act
Correct answer: FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act)
FIFRA makes the pesticide label a legal document; using a product inconsistently with its label is a federal violation.
Question 2: What class of pesticide requires a Special Registration or Restricted Use classification in New York?
- Products with high acute toxicity or environmental hazard (Correct answer)
- All pesticides sold in stores
- Only herbicides
- Products with a CAUTION signal word only
Correct answer: Products with high acute toxicity or environmental hazard
Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) are classified due to high acute toxicity or significant environmental risk and may only be purchased and used by certified applicators.
Question 3: Which PPE component protects a PCO from dermal pesticide exposure when working with liquid concentrates?
- Chemical-resistant apron (Correct answer)
- Cotton coverall
- Reflective vest
- Wool jacket
Correct answer: Chemical-resistant apron
A chemical-resistant apron creates a physical barrier against splashes and spills of liquid pesticide concentrates.
Question 4: When disposing of empty pesticide containers in New York State, the required procedure is to:
- Triple-rinse and puncture or crush before disposal (Correct answer)
- Rinse once and place in regular trash
- Return all containers to the manufacturer
- Incinerate on-site
Correct answer: Triple-rinse and puncture or crush before disposal
NYS DEC requires triple-rinsing empty containers and rendering them unusable before disposal to prevent pesticide residue contamination.
Question 5: Dermal absorption is a concern with pesticides primarily because:
- Skin can absorb certain pesticides directly into the bloodstream (Correct answer)
- Pesticides only harm skin on contact
- Absorption through skin is slower than ingestion
- Only organics can penetrate skin
Correct answer: Skin can absorb certain pesticides directly into the bloodstream
Many pesticides, especially organophosphates and carbamates, can penetrate intact skin and enter the bloodstream, causing systemic toxicity.
Question 6: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section 8 provides information on:
- Exposure controls and personal protective equipment (Correct answer)
- Physical and chemical properties
- Accidental release measures
- Regulatory information
Correct answer: Exposure controls and personal protective equipment
SDS Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) lists occupational exposure limits and required PPE for safe handling.
NYS PCO NYS PCO Pesticide Safety and PPE 2
Pesticide labels are legally binding under which federal law?