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Choosing Options
In an IPM program, monitoring, inspection, exclusion and sanitation are
the first line of defense, with chemical controls as a last resort.
When these fail to manage pests adequately, how can you identify
pesticides with the least risk? Minimizing risk should be a primary
consideration, along with effectiveness, convenience and cost.
Risk depends upon hazard (toxicity) and exposure. A measure of hazard
to humans and other mammals is provided by signal words on pesticide
labels. The most toxic are labeled DANGER, followed by WARNING. The
least toxic are labeled CAUTION. Other potential hazards include
carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) or reproductive or
developmental toxins. These criteria are not identified on pesticide
labels. Risk occurs when humans, wildlife or other non-target organisms
are exposed, or come into contact with, hazardous substances.
The following basic criteria are designed to help you choose pest
control options with lesser risks. Any system that attempts to rank
risks and direct use towards lesser risk alternatives will be less than
perfect. Using the system presented here leaves important concerns
unanswered. For example, is using a large quantity of a pesticide
defined as “least-risk” better than using a smaller amount of a
“moderate-risk” material? This system does not fully evaluate the inert
ingredients in pesticides due to the difficulty in obtaining that
information. Finally, reducing risk is ultimately the responsibility of
everyone involved in the selection, purchase, transportation, storage
and use of all pest control options in a legal and responsible manner,
following all label directions.
IPM STAR options
are least-risk options to use to manage pests and include the following
choices. Note that least-risk pesticides should be used only after a
pest problem has been accurately diagnosed and as a last resort, when
non-chemical options are not effective
1. Biological, cultural, mechanical or physical controls pest control options with no potential physical hazards; or
2. Pesticides with very low mammalian toxicity via oral, inhalation or
dermal routes, no eye effects, mild or slight skin effects (= EPA
Toxicity Category IV); or
3. EPA Toxicity Category III pesticides in ready-to-use, non-volatile
formulations used in areas inaccessible to children and the general
public; or
4. EPA Toxicity Category III rodenticides in bait-block, non-volatile
formulations placed in tamper-proof bait stations in areas inaccessible
to children and the general public; or
5. Pesticides exempt from registration by the US EPA (under 40 CFR 152.25).
6. Any product should be
effective for the use indicated on the product label, if applied
according to the instructions provided.
7. Options not qualifying as
"high risk" as defined below.
Moderate-risk options
carry greater risk. These are pesticides rated low mammalian toxicity
by US EPA (Toxicity Category III, “Caution” signal word) and not
meeting the criteria for least-risk. Work towards finding alternatives
to these pesticides.
High-risk pest options
should not be used. These include pesticides with high or moderate
toxicity (= EPA Toxicity Category I or II, “Danger” or “Warning” signal
words); those containing ingredients included on US EPA's List 1:
Inerts of Toxicological Concern; those identified as known, likely or
probable carcinogens by US EPA or the state of California; those
identified as reproductive or developmental toxins by the state of
California (Proposition 65 list); cholinesterase inhibitors (nerve
toxins); or those on the state of Illinois EPA List of Known Endocrine
Disrupters. Other high-risk options are those products or uses
presenting a physical hazard, such as dusts and powders that may be
inhaled, or snap traps placed in an area accessible to children.
Pesticides used outdoors should not be known groundwater contaminants
(as designated by the state of California). Finally, pesticides
with label precautionary statements including "toxic" or "extremely
toxic" to bees, birds, fish or wildlife; specific warnings regarding
ground or surface water contamination; or known harmful to beneficials
should not be used in environments where those hazards are
present. This last restriction may not apply to pesticides used
per label instructions to control bird, fish, wildlife or stinging
insect pests.
Please
note: Many pesticides contain more than one active ingredient. Also,
different formulations of the same pesticide can have different levels
of risk; a ready-to-use liquid is less risky to store and handle than a
concentrated dust or powder. The way a pesticide is used also affects
the level of risk by impacting the potential for exposure. For example,
a crack and crevice treatment inaccessible to children or rodent poison
in a tamper-proof bait station is less hazardous than a spray applied
to exposed surfaces.
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