encourages the purchase of excessive amounts of pesticides. It is not legal to tell any-
one that they can use a pesticide on a crop or site not listed on the label even though
another similar product may have the crop listed on the label.
Products packaged for the commercial grower may appear to be less expensive, but
homeowners should not be tempted to use them. They are generally more concen-
trated than those for home use and require special protective clothing and equipment
for application. These products are in larger containers than the homeowner could
expect to use or store safely, and are much more difficult to calibrate and mix cor-
rectly since rates are usually based on a per-acre system.
In the majority of cases, the site listed on the label is a field crop and not a lawn
or garden, so any use of it on a lawn or garden would then be illegal. A few products
that are extremely toxic to humans or the environment are classified by the EPA as
restricted-use pesticides. The label will state ‘‘restricted-use pesticides for retail sale to
and application only by certified applicators, or persons under their direct supervi-
sion.’’ Certification from a state department of agriculture is required by law for pur-
chase and use of restricted-use pesticides. This certification is intended for
commercial and private applicators (farmers) and does not automatically allow the
use of these products by home gardeners.^54
Sales, Labeling, and Packaging
A survey of eighteen stores in Connecticut found that most stores displayed pesti-
cide packages with visible tears or rips. Their contents had visibly contaminated store
shelves, floors, and storage areas.
The packaging of many lawn care chemicals is porous, releasing vapors from the
chemicals into the nearby air. These vapors are easily detected by sense of smell, and
often contaminate indoor air where sold.
Pesticide labels do not provide the consumer with sufficient warning and instruc-
tion regarding the toxicity of contents, pesticide potential to contaminate water sup-
plies, effects on fish and wildlife, and proper handling and disposal. Labels on the
front of packages claim product benefits in multicolored letters often several inches
high, while warning information and directions for safe use and disposal are com-
monly displayed in small type on the back.
Some lawn and garden packages require the removal of a plastic wrapping to access
multi-paged warnings about product ingredients, often printed in minute type. These
lawn and garden pesticides are commonly sold in stores that also sell food and other
consumer products that are vulnerable to chemical spills.^55
Beware Fertilizer-Pesticide Combinations
Many homeowners and lawn care companies routinely combine fertilizer and pesti-
cides in a series of applications throughout the spring, summer, and fall. These
multi-step programs are promoted as the sure and easy path to the perfect lawn. The
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