Oregon Pesticide Practice Test

What signal word is associated with very low oral LD50 values?

1. Warning

2. Caution

3. Danger

4. Danger-Poison

The correct answer is: Danger-Poison

The signal word that is associated with very low oral LD50 values is "Danger-Poison." This classification specifically indicates that a pesticide has a high level of toxicity if ingested, marking it as particularly hazardous. The LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of test subjects) value is a critical indicator of toxicity, with lower values signifying that smaller amounts of the substance can cause severe harm or death. In terms of pesticide labeling, “Danger-Poison” is reserved for those products that pose serious risks to health, often leading consumers to take extreme caution in handling and application. This label is meant to ensure that users are aware of the significant dangers associated with the product, prompting them to implement strict safety measures, such as wearing protective equipment and ensuring that the pesticide is kept out of reach of children and pets. Other signal words like "Caution" or "Warning" indicate lower levels of toxicity, and while they still require users to be careful, they do not convey the same level of immediate hazard as "Danger-Poison."