Consumer Misconception About Labels on Pesticides
Elsie Leslie
Kaplan University
February 9, 2015

Walk into virtually any home in the United States and it is practically guaranteed that there will be a container of some form of pesticide (Raid) or herbicide (Roundup, Spectracide, Ortho) on hand. These are considered “everyday” products used by most homeowners to kill bugs and weeds. They have all been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as safe for use by the general public. They are sold by large retailers as well as smaller local vendors. Based on those two factors, it is a common – but dangerous - assumption that these chemicals must be safe for use. But – “Buyer Beware!” Household pesticides and herbicides contain hidden ingredients that are not provided on the product labels. Under the current laws, manufacturers do not have to divulge all of the ingredients that are used in the production of a pesticide or herbicide. Many of these unidentified ingredients are poisons that could be potentially hazardous to adults and children alike. It is crucial that the labels on these products contain a complete list of the ingredients, as well as any potential hazards. Consumers have a right to this information in order to be able to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, most consumers do not understand that the product they are buying is actually a pesticide formulation that contains a number of different materials, including active active and inert ingredients, as well as contaminants and impurities. In addition, pesticides, when subject to various environmental conditions, break down to other materials known as metabolites, which are sometimes more toxic than the parent material. There are only two categories of ingredients listed on the labels of these products – active and inert. The active ingredients in these products are regulated by the EPA. Active ingredients are those that directly affect the target pest. They must be listed on each container. Problem solved – Right? Wrong. There are additional (inert) ingredients that manufacturers mix with the active ingredients in order to improve the effectiveness of the active ingredients. Inert ingredients may be as much as one-half, or more, of the total product (Surgan, 1991). The EPA does not require manufacturers to publicly disclose the additional (inert) chemicals even though these chemicals may be highly toxic to humans, pets or wildlife. According to the EPA, “Since neither federal law nor the regulations define the term "inert" on the basis of toxicity, hazard or risk to humans, non-target species, or the environment, it should not be assumed that all inert ingredients are non-toxic.” (EPA, 2012).
To the average person, "inert" implies that these chemicals don't pose a major health or environmental threat. In fact, a chemical may be an active ingredient in one pesticide product, and an "inert" ingredient in another product, depending only on the manufacturer's designation of the pests to be controlled by each product. Inert ingredients can also react with active ingredients to make a pesticide formula more toxic than just the single active ingredient.
Contaminants and impurities are often a part of the pesticide product and responsible for product hazards. Dioxin and DDT have been identified as contaminants, which have not been added on purpose, but are the result of the production process. Both Dioxin and DDT have been banned due to their high levels of carcinogens. Metabolites are breakdown products that form when a pesticide is used in the environment and mixes with air, water, soil or living organisms. Often the metabolite is more hazardous than the parent pesticide. It should be very clear that the labels on pesticides are seriously lacking information. Currently, the only way the consumer can find out what all of the ingredients are in aspecific pesticide product is through the Freedom of Information Act. The mission of the EPA is, “to protect human health and the environment” (EPA, 2014). It is woefully apparent that they are not living up to that lofty goal.
References:
Environmental Protection Agency. (2012, May 9). Inert (other)Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Federal Register and Pesticide Registration Notices on Other (Inert) Pesticide Ingredients. Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/notices.htm
Environmental Protection Agency. (2014, October 6). Our Mission and What We Do. Retrieved from: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do
Surgan, M. H., Office of Public Information. New York State Deptartment of Law. (1991). The Secret Hazards of Pesticides: Inert Ingredients. Rev. Feb. 1994. Retrieved from: http://www.getipm.com/government/ny-inert.htm