What's the main purpose of precautionary statements on pesticide labels?

The main purpose of precautionary statements on pesticide labels is to inform users of potential hazards and necessary precautions. These statements are crucial as they help ensure the safe handling, application, and storage of pesticides, minimizing risks to the applicator, bystanders, and the environment. By clearly outlining risks such as toxicity, environmental impact, and recommended safety measures, these statements play a vital role in promoting responsible pesticide usage. This information empowers users to take appropriate action to avoid accidents or harmful exposure, which is essential in maintaining safety standards in agricultural practices.

Other options, while they may touch on aspects of pesticide use, do not directly address the critical safety information that precautionary statements are designed to communicate. For instance, discussing the product's effectiveness or promoting alternative methods does not contribute to safety in the same way that explicit hazard information does.