40 CFR § 156.62 - Toxicity Category.

§ 156.62 Toxicity Category.

This section establishes four Toxicity Categories for acute hazards of pesticide products, Category I being the highest toxicity category. Most human hazard, precautionary statements, and human personal protective equipment statements are based upon the Toxicity Category of the pesticide product as sold or distributed. In addition, toxicity categories may be used for regulatory purposes other than labeling, such as classification for restricted use and requirements for child-resistant packaging. In certain cases, statements based upon the Toxicity Category of the product as diluted for use are also permitted. A Toxicity Category is assigned for each of five types of acute exposure, as specified in the table in this paragraph.

Acute Toxicity Categories for Pesticide Products

Hazard Indicators I II III IV
Oral LD50 Up to and including 50 mg/kg >50 thru 500 mg/kg >500 thru 5,000 mg/kg >5,000 mg/kg
Dermal LD50 Up to and including 200 mg/kg >200 thru 2000 mg/kg >2000 thru 20,000 mg/kg >20,000 mg/kg
Inhalation LC50 Up to and including 0.2 mg/liter >0.2 thru 2 mg/liter >2 thru 20 mg/liter >20 mg/liter
Eye irritation Corrosive; corneal opacity not reversible within 7 days Corneal opacity reversible within 7 days; irritation persisting for 7 days No corneal opacity; irritation reversible within 7 days No irritation
Skin irritation Corrosive Severe irritation at 72 hours Moderate irritation at 72 hours Mild or slight irritation at 72 hours