What are the signal words that can be found on a pesticide label?

• A. Danger-poison (with skull and crossbones), Danger, Warning, Caution
• B. Warning, Alert, Hazard, Safe
• C. Poison, Harm, Warning, Caution
• D. Danger, Hazard, Severe, Minimal

Answer: (A)

Signal words on pesticide labels communicate how acutely toxic the product is and guide the precautions you should take. The four official words used to represent toxicity levels are Danger-Poison (often shown with a skull and crossbones), Danger, Warning, and Caution. This four-tier system clearly signals increasing risk and helps determine the level of protective gear and first-aid actions needed. Other terms like Alert, Hazard, Safe, Harm, Severe, or Minimal are not standard label signal words, so they don’t fit the official labeling system. By recognizing Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning, and Caution together, you understand the full spectrum of acute hazard levels a pesticide might present and how to respond appropriately.