NAVMED P-5010-8 - Navy Medicine - U.S. Navy

8-16 CHAPTER 8. NAVY ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST CONTROL TECHNOLOGY 8-17
b. Toxicity Ratings. A wide range of
toxicity values for many of the pesticides has
been reported. The values are expressed as
acute oral or dermal lethal dose = 50 percent
(LD50) in terms of milligrams (mg) of active
ingredient ingested or contacted per kilogram
(kg) of body weight of the susceptible animal.
Respiratory doses are expressed in lethal
concentrations (LC50) that will kill 50 percent
of the exposed animals. No tests have been
conducted in which humans have been subjected
to lethal doses of pesticides. However, the
effects of some chemicals on humans have been
obtained from reports of accidental exposure or
suicides. Information from these reports is frequently
incomplete; consequently, evaluation of
this type of data for estimating human toxicity of
pesticides must be done with caution.
c. The data on acute oral toxicity divide
insecticides into four groups (see Table 8-1
below). These groupings have considerable
practical value because packaging labels must
include key signal words (e.g., DANGER,
POISON, WARNING, and CAUTION), and if
applicable, antidotes and other necessary precautions.
Table 8-1. Criteria for Cataloging Pesticides by Toxicity, and Label Requirements Established by
the Amended Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972
Signal Word and
Antidote Statement
I. "DANGER," "POISON," Skull and Crossbones
Antidote Statement, "Call Physician Immediately"
Toxicity and Acute Oral
LD50 Value
Highly Toxic 0-50 mg/kg
Approximate Amount Needed
to Kill the Average Person
A taste to a teaspoonful
II. "WARNING” No antidote statement Moderately Toxic 50-500 mg/kg A teaspoonful to a tablespoonful
III. "CAUTION" No antidote statement Slightly Toxic 500-5000 mg/kg An ounce to more than a pint
IV. No Warning, Caution, or Antidote Statement
Unqualified claims of safety are not acceptable
Comparatively free 5000 + mg/kg
More than a pint
Note. All pesticide products bear the words "Keep out of reach of Children."
8-17. Insecticide Hazards and Use
Restrictions
a. General. Insecticides, formulated as
solids or wettable powders and dusts, pose less
of a hazard by dermal poisoning than when in
solutions. However, dusts and powders are
easily inhaled and consequently produce a
greater respiratory hazard.
b. Stomach Poisons. Most of the substances
used in stomach poisons to control
insects are also toxic to man and animals.
Although some are more toxic than others, each
must be handled with care and used only in the
amounts recommended for the specific pest.
Stomach poisons are not to be used in any
manner that is inconsistent with the directions on
the label. These materials are not to be used in
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bodies of water due to toxicity to aquatic life, on
food contact surfaces, or on plants used for food
or forage. The drift of spray droplets must be
avoided to eliminate contamination of non-target
areas. Contact with treated surfaces is not to be
allowed until the spray has completely dried.
c. Contact Poisons. Substances used
for initial or residual contact pest control
(diazinon, propoxur) are all relatively toxic to
man and animals. The degree of toxicity is
related to the chemical and also to the type of
formulation.
(1) Hazards. Many pesticides within
this group are manufactured and marketed as a
concentrate. Care must be exercised in handling,
mixing, and using all contact poisons to avoid
accidental inhalation, ingestion, or contact with the
skin or eyes.
9 Nov 2004