The following message is from the Elkhart County Health Department. Para leer éste mensaje en español, haga click aquí.
Any product that makes a claim to kill a pest or otherwise render a pest less harmful is considered a pesticide by law. The law also states that a label on a pesticide is a legal document, and as such, if you use the product in a manner inconsistent with the label, you have violated the law.
Disinfectants, including those containing bleach, Lysol, etc., make a claim that they kill harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses. They are pesticides by definition. The EPA approves the label on all pesticides, and you will see an EPA registration number and EPA establishment number on all approved disinfectants, insecticides, weed killers, rodenticide, etc.
If the pesticide label does not have instructions for use on or in the human body, it should not be used for that purpose. In fact, it is a violation of the law to do so. Great harm could come to people who use these products off label.
The label is also a warranty. When used at the labeled rate and applied as per the instructions, the user has an implied warranty for the product.
As an example, if a product label states to use 1 to 2 ounces in a gallon of water, that is the rate at which it should be used. Using 3 or 4 ounces will not kill the pest any “deader “ but may in fact injure the user and those who are exposed.
Please take time to read the labels before using the product. It may save lives.