Judy
Mock, Harriet T. Jennings, and John Wilson
Pesticides
enter the body most frequently through the skin. Other ways
are through the eyes, nose or mouth. Wear protective clothing
when applying pesticides to reduce your risk of pesticide poisoning.
Your
risk depends on two factors: exposure to pesticides and the
toxicity of the pesticides. Toxicity information is given on
the pesticide label. Pesticide labels hst the active ingredient
and concentration. Three label signal words that are used to
indicate relative toxicity are:
DANGER/POISON
- highly hazardous
WARNING
- moderately hazardous
CAUTION
- slightly hazardous
Exposure
is related to how the pesticide contacts the body: through
the skin, eyes, nose or mouth. Protective clothing and equipment
minimize exposure and the risks involved in handling pesticides.
The
signal words on the label can help you to determine the type
of clothing to wear. Many pesticide labels give additional useful
information. For example, dusts, wettable powders and broken
particles from granules are inhaled easily. Labels for many
of these products carry statements like "harmful if inhaled"
or "fatal if inhaled." When applying such products, wear a respirator.
Labels
also describe the formulation - the active ingredient(s),
the concentration, base liquids or carriers - and other information.
It is important to read and understand this information. For
example, oil-based liquids (emulsifiable concentrates) absorb
easily through skin, so you need to protect your skin from
exposure to these types of materials.
Regular
work clothing made of heavy weight, tightly woven fabrics gives
you some protection. Specialized liquid-proof, chemical-resistant
clothing gives you much more, but you may not be as comfortable.
In North Carolina's climate, it is difficult to be comfortable
when you need protection the most - during the hot, humid growing
season. To minimize exposure to pesticides, you should always:
- Wear
work clothing with long pants and sleeves. (Clothing with
a soil-repellent finish can increase your protection).
- Wear
unlined, liquid-proof, chemical-resistant gloves; unlined
neoprene or rubber boots; and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Wear
a chemical-resistant apron over cloth coveralls when mixing,
loading or handling undiluted pesticides.
- Wear
a liquid-proof, chemical-resistant coverall or suit with
a hood or a waterproof, widebrimmed hat if there is any
chance of becoming wet with spray.
- Wear
a respirator whenever there is a risk of inhaling pesticide
vapors, fumes or dust.
- Wear
an eye or face shield if the pesticide may splash
Wearing
protective clothing helps to reduce your risk of exposure
to pesticides. The types of clothing and how the clothing
is worn influence how well you are protected.
In all
cases, read the pesticide label completely, and follow the
instructions given.
Ultimately,
you are responsible for the safe handling and use of pesticides.
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
This document is from
a series of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Publication
date: May 1991.
Specialist In-Charge (Human Environment), Extension Clothing
Specialist, and Pesticide Education Specialist; North Carolina
Cooperative Extension Service
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