NYS PCO NYS PCO Professional Level Exam 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A label calls for a 0.5% dilution of a concentrate. How many gallons of finished spray can be made from 1 gallon of concentrate?
- 200 gallons (Correct answer)
- 50 gallons
- 100 gallons
- 500 gallons
Correct answer: 200 gallons
A 0.5% dilution means 1 part concentrate per 200 parts finished spray, so 1 gallon yields 200 gallons.
Question 2: What does the term 'drift' mean in pesticide application?
- The airborne movement of pesticide spray or dust away from the target site (Correct answer)
- The gradual breakdown of pesticide residue
- Runoff of pesticide into storm drains
- Slow-release action of granular formulations
Correct answer: The airborne movement of pesticide spray or dust away from the target site
Drift is off-target airborne movement of pesticide particles or vapor during or shortly after application.
Question 3: Which condition most increases the risk of spray drift during an outdoor application?
- High wind speeds combined with small droplet sizes (Correct answer)
- Cool overcast weather with large droplets
- Application with coarse nozzles at low pressure
- Early morning dew on the target surface
Correct answer: High wind speeds combined with small droplet sizes
Fine droplets stay suspended longer and wind carries them off-target, greatly increasing drift.
Question 4: How should a professional dispose of an empty plastic pesticide container after use?
- Triple rinse (or pressure rinse), puncture, and dispose of it according to the label and state regulations (Correct answer)
- Burn it on site to destroy residues
- Reuse it to store drinking water after washing
- Throw it directly into a dumpster with liquid remaining
Correct answer: Triple rinse (or pressure rinse), puncture, and dispose of it according to the label and state regulations
Rinsing removes residues, rinsate goes into the spray tank, and the punctured container is disposed of per label and state rules.
Question 5: During transport, pesticide containers in a service vehicle should be secured where?
- In a locked or secured compartment separate from the passenger area, food, and safety equipment (Correct answer)
- On the passenger seat for quick access
- Next to the technician's lunch cooler
- Loose in the truck bed without restraint
Correct answer: In a locked or secured compartment separate from the passenger area, food, and safety equipment
Pesticides must be secured and separated from people, food, and PPE to prevent contamination and spills.
Question 6: A pesticide spill occurs on a customer's driveway. Which sequence reflects the correct 'Three C's' of spill response?
- Control the spill, contain the spread, then clean up the material (Correct answer)
- Cover the spill, call the media, then continue working
- Clean immediately, contain later, then control equipment
- Contact the customer, collect payment, then clean
Correct answer: Control the spill, contain the spread, then clean up the material
The standard response is control the source, contain the spill with absorbent barriers, and then clean up properly.
Question 7: Why should a pesticide never be transferred into an unlabeled beverage bottle, even temporarily?
- It creates a severe accidental poisoning risk and violates the law (Correct answer)
- It changes the chemical formulation of the product
- It voids the applicator's vehicle insurance
- It causes the product to lose its EPA registration
Correct answer: It creates a severe accidental poisoning risk and violates the law
Unlabeled food or drink containers are a leading cause of accidental pesticide ingestion, especially by children, and the practice is illegal.
NYS PCO NYS PCO Professional Level Exam 5
A label calls for a 0.5% dilution of a concentrate.
How many gallons of finished spray can be made from 1 gallon of concentrate?