Restricted use pesticides
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Because of safety concerns, some pesticides are not available to the general public in the USA. The "Restricted Use" classification restricts a product, or its uses, to use by a certificated pesticide applicator or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.
Certification programs are administered by the states. Requirements vary from state to state.
Pesticides are classified as "restricted use" for a variety of reasons:
- Accident history
- Potential for or history of groundwater contamination
- Acute toxicity to humans
- Application scenario likely to be hazardous; e.g. fumigants.
- Toxicity to vulnerable nontarget plants or animals, particularly away from the site of application: fish, migrant birds
- Carinogenic or mutagenic product
Atrazine is the most widely used restricted-use herbicide.
Many insecticides and fungicides used in fruit production are restricted use.