What is a restricted-entry interval (REI) and how should it be enforced?

• A. The period after application when entry is restricted; post signs and ensure workers do not enter until the interval ends per label.
• B. The time during which entry is unrestricted after application.
• C. A seasonal permit to use pesticides.
• D. The maximum residue limit at harvest.

Answer: (A)

A restricted-entry interval is the period after a pesticide is applied during which entry to the treated area is limited to protect workers from exposure. It’s enforced exactly as the label requires: post warning signs or barricades, keep people out, and do not allow entry until the interval ends. If entry is ever allowed during the interval, it must be for a permitted task, performed only by trained workers wearing the required PPE and following the label’s conditions. Once the interval ends, normal access can resume. This is different from entry that is unrestricted, seasonal permits, or harvest residue limits, which refer to other aspects of pesticide use.