Federal and Washington Pesticide Laws

Question 1

True or False: With the possible exception of human and veterinary drugs, no other class of chemicals receives such extensive testing in the United States prior to being registered and marketed.

Answer 1

True. Regulation is necessary to protect the public and the environment from adverse effects.

Question 2

The rules relating to general pesticide use in Washington originate from what two acts?

Answer 2

The Washington Pesticide Application Act of 1961 and The Washington Pesticide Control Act of 1971.

Question 3

What does “FIFRA” stand for and when was it first enacted?

Answer 3

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, established in 1947.

Question 4

What authority does FIFRA grant the EPA?

Answer 4

Regulation of movement, sales, use, and disposal of all pesticides.

Question 5

True or False: State laws can be less restrictive than those of FIFRA.

Answer 5

False. It requires states to conform to federal standards or more restrictive.

Question 6

What must a pesticide contain in order to be registered or offered for sale?

Answer 6

Labels that provide reasonable safeguards to prevent injuries and adverse effects on the environment.

Question 7

What state department administers the major state regulatory laws? (This includes the certification program)

Answer 7

Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Question 8

FIFRA requires that all pesticides be classified as ______ or ________.

Answer 8

General or Restricted Use.

Question 9

________ use pesticides generally have lower _____ and less potential ______.

Answer 9

General use pesticides generally have lower toxicity and less potential hazards.

Question 10

True or False: Restricted pesticides may be sold to anyone over the age of 21.

Answer 10

False. Restricted pesticides can only be sold to certified applicators or their authorized agent.

Question 11

Some active ingredients in pesticides may be listed in both use categories depending on what three factors?

Answer 11

Formulation, application method, and intended use.

Question 12

True or False: dealers, transporters, and applicators are all subject to penalties for violating FIFRA.

Answer 12

True.

Question 13

Which additional acts govern individuals involved with pesticide use in the State of Washington?

Answer 13

The Washington Pesticide Control Act (RCW 15.58), Washington Pesticide Application Act (RCW 17.21) and Rules Relating to General Pesticide Use (WAC 16-228).

Question 14

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended to?

Answer 14

To destroy or deter plant animals or viruses (not relating to human or aminals), used as a defoliant, desiccant, or regulator, or used as a spray adjuvant (not federally mandated.

Question 15

True or False: disinfectants, sanitizers, and animal repellents fall under the definition of pesticides.

Answer 15

True. As well as fumigants, buffering agents, and sprout inhibitors.

Question 16

_____ establishes the pesticide label as a legal document.

Answer 16

Registration.

Question 17

Why will the WSDA not register high-volatile ester formulations of 2, 4-D?

Answer 17

Because of drift and plant damage problems.

Question 18

True or False: An applicator can apply the pesticide for the intended purpose without a copy of the SLN label in their possession. (Name the section)

Answer 18

False. An applicator must have a copy of the label in their possession. Section 24c (Special Local Needs Registration).

Question 19

Which section requires special restrictions like record keeping, safety precautions, specified rates, and limited acreage?

Answer 19

Section 18-Emergency exemption from registrations.

Question 20

In order to qualify for Section 25(b) (Minimum-risk pesticides), what requirement must be met?

Answer 20

All active and inherit ingredients must be on a list of specified minimal-risk.

Question 21

True or False: The WSDA requires Section 25(b) to be registered for sale and use in Washington.

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

Which state department monitors compliance when it comes to pesticide use?

Answer 22

The Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Question 23

Name the Federal Agencies that have regulatory power in Washington.

Answer 23

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), FAA (Federal Flight Administration), and the DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation).

Question 24

To recertify, one must accumulate how many credit hours (WSDA-approved) for all other license holders?

Answer 24

40 credit hours every 5 years, not to exceed 15 in any one year.

Question 25

True or False: Washington law allows for unlicensed normal individuals to perform applications under anyone who is properly licensed.

Answer 25

True. They must be physically present during mixing and loading.

Question 26

WSDA licensed __________ must be present when pesticides are distributed.

Answer 26

Dealer-manager. with each outlet possessing a dealer license.

Question 27

How long must records be kept on the sale of general use pesticides?

Answer 27

7 years, and contain the name of the purchaser, date of distribution, the amount distributed, EPA registration or brand name, crop, or where to be applied.

Question 28

How much can fees be for each offense under FIFRA?

Answer 28

As much as $5,000 for each civil penalty. Some violations of the law may subject you to criminal penalties.

Question 29

What is the maximum civil penalty imposed under Washington pesticide law?

Answer 29

$7,500 fine for each offense and/or denial, suspension, or revocation of a pesticide license.

Question 30

WSDA administers additional rules, such as _____ ____ and the potential for _______ contamination.

Answer 30

Off-target drift and groundwater contamination.

Question 31

True or False: Formulations labeled for application onto or into water are not state restricted.

Answer 31

False. Except those applied to exempted aquatic sites identified.