Signal Words
Understanding Signal Words
Understanding Signal Words
The next time you reach into your cabinet for a pesticide or cleaning product, take a minute to scan the label. Pay close attention to any printed words, such as “CAUTION” or “DANGER.” These bold, capitalized terms are called signal words. To protect your health and safety, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a signal word to be present on most pesticide product labels.
The next time you reach into your cabinet for a pesticide or cleaning product, take a minute to scan the label. Pay close attention to any printed words, such as “CAUTION” or “DANGER.” These bold, capitalized terms are called signal words. To protect your health and safety, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a signal word to be present on most pesticide product labels.
Signal words are important indicators of acute toxicity. Acute toxicity refers to the short-term potential for a pesticide product to be poisonous to humans and wildlife. The level of acute toxicity of a product may be very low or extremely high. Signal words provide a quick snapshot of the acute toxicity of a given formulated pesticide product.
Signal words are important indicators of acute toxicity. Acute toxicity refers to the short-term potential for a pesticide product to be poisonous to humans and wildlife. The level of acute toxicity of a product may be very low or extremely high. Signal words provide a quick snapshot of the acute toxicity of a given formulated pesticide product.
How Are Signal Words Determined?
How Are Signal Words Determined?
The acute toxicity of a pesticide product is determined by a series of studies conducted by the manufacturer. Four separate routes of exposure are researched: oral exposure (ingesting the product), inhalation exposure (breathing the fumes from the product), dermal exposure (absorbing the product through your skin), and ocular exposure (getting the product in your eyes). The EPA uses the information from the study that shows the highest acute toxicity from product exposure to determine the signal word. For example, if each study in a series reports low toxicity through all four routes of exposure, the signal word will be set at “CAUTION.” However, if one study from the series reports a higher toxicity through a specific route of exposure, the signal word would have to be appropriately elevated.
The acute toxicity of a pesticide product is determined by a series of studies conducted by the manufacturer. Four separate routes of exposure are researched: oral exposure (ingesting the product), inhalation exposure (breathing the fumes from the product), dermal exposure (absorbing the product through your skin), and ocular exposure (getting the product in your eyes). The EPA uses the information from the study that shows the highest acute toxicity from product exposure to determine the signal word. For example, if each study in a series reports low toxicity through all four routes of exposure, the signal word will be set at “CAUTION.” However, if one study from the series reports a higher toxicity through a specific route of exposure, the signal word would have to be appropriately elevated.
Familiarizing yourself with signal words is important, especially if you work with pesticides or other chemicals. The lowest level of toxicity is represented by the word “CAUTION” (green block); the highest levels, by the words “DANGER” (orange block) and “DANGER-POISON” (red block).
Caution • Warning • Danger
Caution • Warning • Danger
Need a visual? Check out the graphic to the right. “CAUTION” means the product is considered slightly toxic through all four routes of exposure. “WARNING” means the product is considered moderately toxic through one or more routes of exposure. “DANGER” and “DANGER-POISON” mean the product is considered highly toxic through one or more routes of exposure. Be extremely careful when handling and using highly toxic pesticide products.
Need a visual? Check out the graphic to the right. “CAUTION” means the product is considered slightly toxic through all four routes of exposure. “WARNING” means the product is considered moderately toxic through one or more routes of exposure. “DANGER” and “DANGER-POISON” mean the product is considered highly toxic through one or more routes of exposure. Be extremely careful when handling and using highly toxic pesticide products.
It's important to note that signal words are an indicator of a pesticide product’s expected acute toxicity when used in accordance with label directions. Any chemical may become poisonous if used in high doses. Always follow the label directions and use the recommended dose!
It's important to note that signal words are an indicator of a pesticide product’s expected acute toxicity when used in accordance with label directions. Any chemical may become poisonous if used in high doses. Always follow the label directions and use the recommended dose!