What is the purpose of a pesticide safety data sheet (SDS)?

A pesticide safety data sheet (SDS) serves a critical role in conveying essential information about chemical substances, particularly in terms of their safe usage and potential hazards. The SDS contains comprehensive details regarding the properties of a pesticide, such as its physical and chemical characteristics, stability, and reactivity. It also includes guidelines for proper handling and storage, which are vital for preventing accidents and ensuring safe application practices.

Moreover, the SDS outlines the health and environmental hazards associated with the chemical, including toxicity information, symptoms of exposure, and recommended first aid measures. This information is crucial for pesticide applicators, as it supports informed decision-making about how to handle and apply pesticides safely, as well as how to respond in the event of an emergency.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the primary purpose of an SDS. Summaries of company profits are irrelevant to the safety and handling of chemicals, and a listing of all available pesticides does not provide specific safety information. Additionally, instructions for pesticide mixing, while important, are a smaller subset of the broader safety and handling information covered in the SDS.