California Environmental Protection Agency: Department of
Pesticide Regulation
Despite
what many of us might think, no substance is inherently safe
or unsafe. Any substance - even the most innocuous - can be
harmful if you are exposed to too much of it. Pesticides are
designed to be toxic to the target pest while being safe to
the people that use these chemicals. However, accidents and
misuse occur and they can cause illness or injury. The potential
for a pesticide to cause injury depends upon several factors:
- Toxicity.
Toxicity is the potential a chemical, such as a pesticide,
has for causing harm. Some pesticides have low human toxicity
while others are extremely toxic.
- Dose.
The greater the quantity of a chemical you are exposed to,
the greater the risk of injury. The effect of a given dose
varies with the weight and age of the person. Therefore,
an amount that is relatively harmless to an adult may hurt
a small child.
- Route
of absorption. The ways the body comes in contact with
chemicals. Some common routes of exposure are dermal (skin),
oral (by mouth), and inhalation (breathing). Swallowing
a pesticide usually creates the most serious problem. In
practice, however, the most common route of absorption of
pesticides is through the skin.
- Duration
of exposure. The longer a person is exposed, the more
chemical their body absorbs.
- Physical
and chemical properties. Some pesticides evaporate more
readily than others, so they can be more easily inhaled.
Some break down quickly on surfaces, others last longer.
These qualities affect the potential risk of overexposure.
- Population
at risk. Persons who run the greatest danger of pesticide
illness are those whose exposure is highest, such as workers
who mix or apply pesticides. However, consumers who use
pesticides in their homes may also be overexposed, especially
if they do not follow carefully the instructions on the
container label.
Recognizing
Pesticide Poisoning. Like other chemicals, pesticides
may produce injury externally or internally.
Pesticides
can cause contact-associated skin irritation or allergies.
Symptoms of irritation include redness, itching, or pimples.
Allergic skin reactions may produce redness, swelling, or
blistering. The mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth,
and throat are also quite sensitive to chemicals. Stinging
and swelling can occur.
Internal
injuries may occur depending upon where a chemical is
transported in the body or what organ is affected. Shortness
of breath, excessive saliva and rapid breathing may occur
because of lung injury. Other symptoms to watch for include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness.
First
Aid for Pesticide Poisoning. Appropriate first aid treatment
depends on which pesticides were used. Here are some tips
that may precede but should not substitute for medical advice
or treatment:
- Poison
on skin. Irrigate the area with running water for 10
to 15 minutes. Meantime, call a physician or a poison control
center for further treatment advice. Later, discard contaminated
clothing or wash it thoroughly, separate from your other
laundry.
- Poison
in eye. Open eyelid and wash the eye slowly and gently
with water. Continue eye irrigation for 10 to 15 minutes.
Call a physician or a poison control center for further
advice.
- Inhaled
poison. Take the victim to fresh air. If unconscious,
give artificial respiration and call for paramedic assistance.
Call a physician or a poison control center for further
advice.
- Swallowed
poison. If the person is alert and able to swallow,
dilute the ingested substance with sips of milk or water.
Call a physician or a poison control center for further
treatment advice.
After
you have administered first aid, you should get medical help
immediately. If someone develops symptoms after using or being
around pesticides, call the "Poison Control Center" listed
in your phone book. Ask if the symptoms are pesticide-related
and what you should do--being too cautious is better than
not. Be sure to have the pesticide container when you call.
Medical personnel will ask what the chemical is. Overexposure
to certain chemicals causes characteristic symptoms and the
doctor needs to know what the chemical is before prescribing
treatment. If you are advised to seek treatment at an emergency
room or physician's office, you should bring the product label
to show your doctor.
To avoid
problems, you should minimize your exposure when mixing and
applying pesticides by wearing gloves and other protective
clothing. Also be careful to follow the label instructions
for mixing and application. Safe use depends on that.
Keep
this fact sheet handy. Look up the number of your local
Poison Control Center now, so you have it nearby. Write it
on the front of your phone book or somewhere else close to
the phone.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
California
Environmental Protection Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION
1020 N Street, Room 100
Sacramento, CA 95814-5624
Phone: (916) 445-4300
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov
4/97
|