MANA's Vulcan insecticide receives new signal word designation

MANA announces that the EPA has approved a label change for Vulcan™ insecticide, which authorizes use of a “Caution” signal word designation on the product label. Revised from its previous signal word designation of “Warning,” Vulcan is now within the lowest category of toxicity ratings for agricultural chemicals.

“The significance of this label change means pesticide users and applicators have greater peace of mind knowing that Vulcan reduces the risk of exposure or the potential for injury versus products with more restrictive signal words,” said Dave Downing, MANA brand leader. “Vulcan is considered a next-generation emusifiable concentrate (EC) formulation that delivers excellent pest control and reduced odor within a user-friendly and environmentally sound platform. It is also the only liquid chlorpyrifos product for agricultural use with a “Caution” signal word on its label.”

According to Downing, Vulcan is ideal for growers who want a more sustainable option for pest management on their high-value crops.

“It has a better environmental profile than traditional EC formulations. And unlike traditional EC products and their suspension concentrate (SC) alternatives, Vulcan offers a low-impact formulation that will not compromise on performance,” Downing added.

EPA guidelines for signal words

The EPA requires pesticide manufacturers to prominently display signal word designations on their product labels, which represent the determined toxicity levels of each formulation. Signal words fall into four categories, comprising (from most to least toxic) Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning and Caution. The only pesticide products not required to display the operative signal word are those that fall into the lowest toxicity category by all routes of exposure, which includes oral, dermal, inhalation and other effects like eye and skin irritation.

Vulcan received registration approval from the EPA in February 2012. It is currently labeled for use on corn, soybeans, wheat, pome fruit, tree nuts, grapes, citrus, vegetables and other crops. Chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient in Vulcan, is a proven and widely used pesticide for fast-acting and efficacious control of yield-robbing insects