What action should you take if a pesticide label is damaged or unreadable?

• A. Do not use the product; obtain a replacement label or contact the manufacturer or regulatory agency for guidance.
• B. Use the product but at half the labeled rate.
• C. Dispose of the product without checking the label.
• D. Continue using the label that you can read even if damaged.

Answer: (A)

When a pesticide label is damaged or unreadable, you must stop using the product until you obtain a current, legible label. The label is the legal guide for how to mix, apply, store, and dispose of the product, and it contains essential safety details like application rate, required PPE, reentry intervals, drift precautions, and first aid. Without a readable label, you can’t verify these factors, which could lead to improper use, safety risks, environmental harm, or regulatory violations. The right step is to get a replacement label or contact the manufacturer or regulatory agency for guidance. Using only a partially readable label or guessing the instructions is not safe or permitted.