Colorado QS/CO Pesticide Test Questions & Answers(scored A+)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) -ANSWER Laws that provide federal control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. EPA carries out enforcement.
Users must take exams for certification as applicators.
EPA must register new pesticides and re-register all existing pesticides. Applies to people who manufacture, market, distribute, use, or dispose of pesticide products.
What are the two main pesticide classifications? -ANSWER General use and restricted use
General Use Pesticide -ANSWER Generally have a lower toxicity and have less potential to harm humans or the environment
Can be bought and used by the public without special permits or restrictions
Restricted Use Pesticide (RUPs) -ANSWER Might result in an unreasonable adverse effect on human health and/or the environment
Application by trained persons is required to use these products
This classification will be stated on the label
Pesticide Registration -ANSWER Since 1988, the EPA has been in charge of this. A pesticide must have a substantially complete database and must not cause unreasonable risks to human health or the environment when used in accordance with its approved label directions and precautions.
4 types of pesticide registration -ANSWER Section 3 - full federal label
Section 18 - emergency exemptions
Section 24c - special local needs label
Section 25b - minimum risk pesticides
Pesticide Registration: Section 3 - Full Federal Label -ANSWER Outlines pesticide registration requirements that manufacturers must follow. Most pesticides are registered this way
Pesticide Registration: Section 18 - Emergency Exemptions -ANSWER Allows state and
federal agencies to permit an additional use during a short term pest management crisis
in a specific locality.
Manufacturer is not allowed to advertise or promote the use of the product under this, even though the use is legal. This is used when there is a crisis and there are no federally registered pesticides available to control the problem.
Pesticide Registration: Section 24c - Special Local Needs Label -ANSWER Colorado can register additional uses of a federally listed pesticide. These uses are for additional distribution and use in a specific area. These are valid only in the state of issue.
Pesticide Registration: Section 25b - Minimum Risk Pesticides -ANSWER Can register pesticides that have a very limited set of active and inert ingredients specified by the EPA, and are not required to have an EPA registration number. These pesticides are required to be registered with CDA in order to be sold and used in Colorado.
Certified Operator -ANSWER Individual who has been recognized by the state, tribe, territory, or agency responsible for regulating pesticides (in CO this is the CDA) as being competent to use or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). Must know how to read a pesticide label and be bale to follow directions to use them properly and safely
2 categories of certified operators -ANSWER Private Applicators
Commercial Applicators
Private certified operator -ANSWER Individual who uses or supervises the use of RUPs in the production of agricultural commodities on land owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer
Commercial certified operator -ANSWER Individual who engages in the business of applying pesticides or operating a device for hire.
Limited commercial operator -ANSWER Any person who in the course of conducting a business only in or on property owned or leased by the person or the person's employer
is engaged in applying RUPs
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) -ANSWER FIFRA was amended in 1996 to include this.
Requires all pesticides meet new health and safety standards - including determining if pesticide is an endocrine disruptor.
EPA must conclude with reasonable certainty that no harm will come to infants, children, or other sensitive individuals exposed to pesticides - cumulative effects must be considered.
Requires EPA to review every registered pesticide on a 15 year cycle.
Public operator -ANSWER Any agency of the state, county, city, municipality, local government, or political subdivision which applies RUPs Pesticide Residues -ANSWER Particles that remain in small amounts in or on fruits, vegetables, grains, other foods, and animal feeds.
Pesticide Residue Tolerance -ANSWER Maximum limit, set by the EPA, allowed to remain in or on each treated food commodity.
Aggregate Pesticide Exposure -ANSWER All possible sources of exposure to the same pesticide
Cumulative Pesticide Exposure -ANSWER Combined effect from multiple exposures to the same pesticide
Rinsate -ANSWER A mixture of pesticides diluted by water, solvents, oils, commercial rinsing agents, or any other substances. It is produced from cleaning pesticide application equipment or pesticide containers.
Penalties for breaking pesticide laws -ANSWER Both civil and criminal charges can be assessed for FIFRA violations.
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) -ANSWER Passed before FIFRA to set maximum residue levels for unavoidable poisonous substances in food marketed in the US. Administered by the FDA but the EPA has a role
EPAs role: sets tolerances for pesticide residues on food commodities in the US
FDAs role: Monitors food crops for pesticide residues and enforces the levels set by the EPA.
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) -ANSWER Federal regulation passed in 1974 to provide protection to workers who perform hand labor tasks in fields after a pesticide application.
Recently updated in 2015 to increase protection to workers. It applies when a pesticide that contains this labeling is used in the production of agricultural commodities
This labeling can be found in the "Directions for Use" in the "Agricultural Use Requirements" section of the label
Types of Agricultural Establishments Covered by WPS -ANSWER Applies to any establishment involved in growing, maintaining, or producing agricultural plants for commercial and/or research or experimental purposes (Nurseries, dairy farms, golf courses, prisons, public parks, university extension programs, etc.)
Endangered Species Act -ANSWER Passed in 1973 to protect any plant or animal species in danger of extinction
Administered by the USFWS
It is a violation to use a pesticide in any manner than may kill or otherwise harm an an endangered species or adversely modify their habitat Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act -ANSWER Provides authority for federal cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and response to spills or accidental releases of hazardous substances
EPA has a list of all chemicals that could cause serious, irreversible health effects through accidental releases and any facility with such chemicals needs to notify both state and federal agencies.
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act -ANSWER Regulates transportation of pesticides. Shipment of pesticides and other dangerous substances across state lines is regulated by the US DOT
DOT requires placards on vehicles that transport certain types and quantities of hazardous materials
Transportation Security Plan -ANSWER Required by US DOT for all operations that ship or transport materials in quantities that require a placard.
General Rule of State Pesticide Laws -ANSWER Programs that are derived from a delegation of federal regulatory authority can be more, but cannot be less, stringent than the federal law
Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act, Title 35, Article 10 -ANSWER Administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program.
Includes licensing and regulation of any individual or business who applies pesticides or
uses certain pest control devices, on property other than their own, and for hire, or any form of compensation in CO
Who needs to be license to apply pesticide in CO? -ANSWER Commercial applicator
Limited commercial applicator
Public operator
Certified operator (CO) -ANSWER An individual who mixes, loads, or applies any pesticide, including RUPs, under the supervision of a qualified supervisor
Qualified Supervisor (QS) -ANSWER Any individual who is licensed to apply pesticides without supervision, evaluates pest problems, or recommends pest controls using pesticides or devices; or mixes, loads, or applies any pesticides; or sells application services; or operates devices; or supervises other in any of these functions
Pesticide Application Record Requirments -ANSWER Name and address for whom the application was made
Location, if different from above
Target pest
Site, crop, commodity, or structure treated
Specific pesticide with EPA registration #
