Colorado QS/CO Pesticide Test CORRECT
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS(GRADED 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.
