The colour band at the bottom of the label shows toxicity — learn to read it before picking up the bottle

Along the bottom edge of an agricultural chemical label there is a coloured band. It is not decoration but a code showing the acute toxicity level of that substance, and it is the quickest piece of information to read on the whole label.

What each colour means

A red band is the most highly toxic group, followed by yellow, blue, and green, which is the least toxic of the four groups. This ranking is based on the international system used around the world.

What the band tells you, and what it doesn't

The colour band tells you the "acute toxicity", meaning the danger from a single large exposure, such as swallowing, inhaling or a splash in the eyes.

What the colour band does not tell you is the long-term effect of small exposures over a long time, which is the pattern regular sprayers face most. So a green-band product does not mean you can spray without protecting yourself. It only means that if there is a one-off accident, the chance of it being severe is lower.

What the colour band can help you decide

Storage: red- and yellow-band products must be kept in a lockable cabinet, away from living quarters, and absolutely never within reach of children.

Personal protection: the darker the band, the higher the level of protection needed, especially during mixing, which is when you are exposed to the most concentrated product.

Buying: if two products control the same pest equally well, choosing the one with the lighter band lowers the risk to the sprayer without losing results.

What people overlook

The mixed spray in the tank is much less concentrated than in the bottle, but there is much more of it in total. A spill on yourself from the mixing tank is therefore dangerous in its own way, not safer because it has been diluted.
Important note
This article explains general safety principles. It is not a recommendation to use any particular chemical. Mixing rates, the crops a product may be used on and the waiting periods required differ by product and change with government notifications. Always treat the product label as the authority, and consult an agricultural specialist or our staff before deciding to use it.