![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090122125837im_/http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/images/line.jpg)
Dennis
J. Murphy and Cathleen M. LaCross
Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
Imagine
battling a fire without a flame-resistant coat, scaling a
cliff without climbing ropes, or playing pro football without
a helmet.
In our
daily lives, at work and at home, we put ourselves at risk
-- often unnecessarily. Equipment that could help protect
us, we complain, is too hot, heavy, cumbersome, silly-looking
or just plain uncomfortable. In agriculture, with the use
of increasingly concentrated pesticides, personal protective
equipment is becoming even more important. While claims that
farm pesticides cause higher cancer rates remain controversial,
there is growing concern about the effects of long-term exposure.
Nevertheless, according to one survey only 44% of farmers
always wear gloves when working with pesticides, 22% always
wear eye protection, 8% always wear respiratory protection,
and 4% always wear coveralls.
The
first step to ensuring your safety when working with pesticides
is determining what personal protective equipment to wear. By
law, that information must appear on every pesticide label.
Pesticide labels are legal documents, and information on them
is the result of years of research and lots of money spent by
the manufacturer. Take the label seriously!
Other
information you'll find on the label include: the brand name,
directions for mixing and applying the pesticide, poisoning
symptoms, first-aid and antidote instructions, and hazards
to humans, domestic animals, and the environment.
Every
label also displays one of three signal words: CAUTION for
slightly toxic chemicals, WARNING for moderately toxic chemicals,
and DANGER-POISON in bright red lettering for highly toxic
chemicals.
DANGER
is usually, but not always, accompanied by a skull and crossbones.
These words tell you at a glance what kind of substance you're
dealing with. To protect yourself, wear the proper safety
equipment.
As
many pesticides are sold in concentrated form its crucial that
you wear the proper protective equipment when mixing or loading
them. Protection is just as important out in the field, where
pesticide particles are suspended in the air, making skin contact
likely. Unless a tractor cab is equipped with special filters
approved for respiratory protection against pesticides, the
cab will not block out dangerous vapors and dusts or mists and
wearing complete personal protective equipment is necessary.
Gloves While the
ear canal, forehead, crotch, and abdomen absorb pesticides faster
than any other body part, hands are the most likely to be exposed.
Gloves, which can reduce exposure by up to 99%, may be the most
important piece of personal protective equipment.
There
are many types of chemical-resistant gloves available. The
best ones are synthetic, such as nitrite and neoprene. Nitrile,
perhaps the most commonly used glove, offers excellent chemical
protection, durability, and dexterity. They're about $2-2.50
per pair. Neoprene gloves, a little higher-priced than nitrile
at $7-8 per pair, provide excellent chemical protection and
moderate dexterity. PVC, latex, and natural rubber gloves
also work well, although PVC lacks dexterity, natural rubber gloves are expensive, and latex gloves will only protect
you from diluted chemicals. Some gloves, such as the 4H glove
and Silvershield gloves, are made especially for use with
chemicals. Generally, they don't resist punctures and tears
well, so its recommended that they be worn under another pair
of more durable gloves. Paper, leather or fabric gloves can
absorb and retain liquids and should not be worn for chemical
protection. All gloves should be unlined because linings can
absorb chemicals as well.
Glove
manufacturers are, beginning to test their products for degradation
and permeation. The degradation rate is determined by immersing
gloves in a chemical for certain periods of time and measuring
any effects the chemical has on the glove material, such as
changes in weight or texture. Gloves are tested for permeation
by immersing them and recording how long it takes for the
chemical to pass through the glove material; this time is
referred to as the breakthrough time (BTT) and is measured
in minutes. A good glove has a BTT greater than 240 minutes.
Manufacturers have only recently begun testing their products
against pesticides, so you might not be able to find test
data for all farm chemicals.
Periodically
test your gloves for leaks by filling them with water and
squeezing. Tuck shirt sleeves inside gloves and fold the glove
ends over to form a cup that will catch any liquid running
down your arm. But, when working with hands and arms overhead,
sleeves should be tucked into the gloves with the cuff of
the gloves turned up to catch any material that might run
down the gloves. Wash off chemicals with soap and water, before
removing the gloves, to avoid contaminating your hands while
removing the gloves.
Respirators Pesticides
can enter the body via inhalation, skin absorption, and swallowing.
Inhalation is the quickest and most direct route to the circulatory
system. Respirators protect your lungs from dust, mists, fogs,
and vapors. They will not protect you in places that may be
considered immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH),
such as manure pits or silos. They don't offer protection from
fumigants, either. Fumigants are highly penetrating and can
penetrate the rubber and plastic on respirators. In addition,
some are colorless and odorless and give no warning of exposure.
Before
using a respirator, make sure you're fit enough to wear one.
People with health conditions or respiratory impairments should
not wear respirators . If you're not sure if you should wear
one, check with your doctor. Also make sure that the respirator
you've chosen is approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA), or National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH). If the respirator is stamped with a number
preceded by the prefix "TC," you can be sure that t's approved.
Perhaps
the most common type of respirator used on the farm is the
mechanical respirator, which has filtering devices to purify
inhaled air. One type of mechanical respirator, the chemical
cartridge or canister respirator, uses special screw-on cartridges
containing absorbants that filter out specific gases and vapors.
The pesticide label will tell you what kind of cartridge you
need for the chemical(s) you're using.
If you'll
be exposed to dusts or mists, chemical cartridges alone will
not protect you. You'll need a chemical cartridge respirator
with an added dust/mist particulate prefilter approved for
pesticides. The common dust masks found in hardware stores
are not approved dust/mist respirators; they are used only
as nuisance dust masks. Some dust/mist masks have been approved
by MSHA/NIOSH as respirators because they have two elastic
straps in back for a better seal, but they do not offer suitable
protection from pesticides.
Half-mask
mechanical respirators start at about $20; full-face ones
are between $100 and $160. If you'll be exposed to dusts or
mists and vapors, you can buy replaceable cartridge/particulate
filter combination for about $5.00. If you buy them in quantities,
they're even less.
Chemical
cartridges should be replaced if you begin to smell or taste
the chemical; experience eye, nose or throat irritation; or
if breathing becomes noticeably harder. Every time you replace
a cartridge, if you're using a filter, replace it also. If
you're only using a particulate filter, replace it when breathing
becomes noticeably harder. If you ever experience nausea,
dizziness or respiratory distress, get fresh air immediately.
To ensure
that you have a well-fitting respirator, perform a fit check
by blocking the two filter inlets with your palms and inhale.
The mask should collapse onto your face. Then block the exhale
hole (located in the chin area) and exhale. The mask should
pop off of your face. DO THIS EVERY TIME YOU PUT THE RESPIRATOR
ON! Annually and before using a new respirator for the first
time, have a professional give you a fit test. During the
test, you'll be asked to move your head around and recite
something (the alphabet, for example) while an irritating
smoke or strong, odorous substance is waved around your head.
If you can't detect the substance, your respirator is sealed
tightly. You should also have a fit test done if you gain
or lose more than 15 pounds or if you receive an injury or
have surgery to your face. For information on where to get
a fit test, contact the respirator manufacturer.
Facial
hair (even stubble), bushy sideburns, tobacco or gum chewing,
or glasses may prevent your respirator from sealing properly.
If you must wear prescription glasses, special wire adapters
are available for securing lenses safely inside a full-face
respirator.
After
each use, clean your respirator in warm, soapy water. (Be
sure to remove cartridges and filters first!) Rinse it thoroughly,
then allow it to air-dry in a clean, well-ventilated area.
After it is perfectly dry, store your respirator and cartridges
in a clean, dry plastic bag tied shut with a twist tie. For
more detailed information on respirators for pesticides, see
Agrichemical Fact Sheet #1, Respiratory Protective Devices
for Pesticides.
Chemical-protective
clothing When working
around low toxicity pesticides, jeans and a long-sleeved cotton
shirt are recommended for minimum protection. Apply a layer
of starch spray to jeans for another barrier. Cotton coveralls
reduce exposure even more. Better yet, as pesticides can penetrate
clothing, wear a chemical-resistant suit. Make sure the suit
is large enough so that it won't rip when you stretch or bend.
Disposable chemical-resistant suits cost about $5; non-disposables
are between $8 and $16. Add a chemical resistant apron during
periods of high exposure, such as during mixing and loading.
Aprons range in price from $3 to $12. New materials such as
Comfort-Gard II breathe as well as cotton for comfort in warm
weather, but can still keep liquids out. The suits are washable,
but at about $50 per suit they're considerably more expensive,
and none are good for protection against vapors. If you're worried
about aesthetics, many suits are now available in a non-conspicuous
denim blue.
When
wearing a suit, if the neck opening is loose, drift and dust
can settle on your shoulders, back or chest and contaminate
the clothing you're wearing underneath. Don't leave contaminated
clothing lying around the house -- you could expose your family.
Shake and hang the clothing outdoors to air, and check pockets
and cuffs for dust before bringing the clothing inside.
With
the exception of TYVEK and other disposable chemical suits,
launder protective clothing and clothing worn under it after
every time you work with pesticides. Wash it five times, separate
from your family's clothing, in a heavy-duty detergent and
hot water at the full water level. Residues can remain in
washers, so flush them out by running an empty cycle with
detergent. Hang the clothing to dry rather than put it in
the dryer, where rubber parts can absorb and retain residue.
Replace ll protective clothing annually.
Eye
protection To protect
your eyes from splashes and drifting dust, wear protective glasses
with side and brow guards or, preferably, chemical splash goggles.
If you wear protective glasses, a good fit is crucial. Both
glasses and goggles should be anti-fog so they don't interfere
with your vision, but they don't have to be impact-resistant.
If you wear prescription glasses, wear a face shield or prescription
protective glasses instead of goggles. Never wear contact lenses
where potential for eye contamination exists. In case you do
splash something in your eyes, keep a jug of potable water on
hand so you can flush them immediately. Flush for at least 15
minutes and seek medical attention.
Like
most other protective equipment, eye protection isn't expensive;
goggles and glasses range from $5 to $10 and shields cost
anywhere from $10 to $20.
Protective
Boots Don't wear
leather or canvas shoes around pesticides as they can soak up
chemicals and retain them for long periods of time. They are
virtually impossible to decontaminate. A good pair of ribber
protective boots should only cost you approximately $10. Wear
pant legs over the boots.
By
wearing personal protective equipment when working around pesticides,
you're significantly reducing your chances of being poisoned.
Protective equipment won't prevent accidents, however, so you
should know what to do before you, a family member or a coworker
needs help. Consult the pesticide container label -- it'll give
you valuable first-aid and antidote information specific to
the chemical you're using.
Generally,
signs of pesticide poisoning include: headache, sweating,
weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting or nausea, diarrhea,
darting eyes or pinpoint pupils, loss of muscle control, and
chest pains. When poisoning is severe, the victim may convulse,
fall into a coma or ultimately die.
If you
or anyone working around you experiences one or more of these
symptoms, call a doctor immediately. (Poisoning symptoms
may take from 4 to 12 hours to appear.) When you go to a doctor,
hospital, or the phone to call for help, take the pesticide
label with you so you can give the doctor the information
he/she needs. To save time, always keep a card with phone
numbers for a doctor, hospital, fire/rescue/EMS station, poison
control center, and police near the phone.
If your
clothes are contaminated with a concentrated, highly toxic
chemical, remove them immediately, put them in a plastic bag,
and dispose of them with used pesticide containers. Don't
try to wash off the spill -- a uniform with spilled parathion
concentrate on it may still contain enough residue to make
someone seriously ill after being washed 5 or 6 times!
For
more detailed information on pesticide poisoning, see Agrichemical
Fact Sheet #7, Toxicity and Potential Health Effects,
available from the Pesticide Education Office, 114 Buckhout
Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802; 814-863-0263.
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published a worker
protection standard for agricultural workers who are exposed
to pesticides. Some portions of the regulations take effect
April 21, 1993 with the remaining provisions becoming effective
on April 15, 1994. Employers will have to abide by a more strict
standard that has been expanded to include both workers who
handle pesticides directly and workers who may be exposed to
pesticides on farms, nurseries, greenhouses and forests. General requirements of the standard include:
- PPE.
Pesticide handlers must wear the personal protective equipment
(PPE) specified on the pesticide container label. Employers'
responsibilities include:
- Providing
PPE to each worker.
- Cleaning
and maintaining PPE.
- Ensuring
that each worker wears and uses PPE correctly.
- Preventing
heat stress if the work and PPE could cause it.
- Restricted-Entry
Intervals (REIs). Employers must ensure that all employees
abide by these intervals, which are found on the product
label. Re-entry intervals range from 12 to 48 hours.
- Notification.
To prevent inadvertent exposure, employers are required
to warn workers about pesticide-treated areas. Notification
can be oral or via signs; if highly toxic chemicals are
used, notification must be both oral and via signs.
- Decontamination.
Employees must be provided with water for washing off splashed
or spilled pesticides or for general washing when they're
done working.
- Medical
Emergencies. In emergencies, employers are responsible
for providing the following:
- The
name and location of the nearest medical facility.
- Transportation
to a medical facility.
- Information
about the pesticide(s) involved in the accident.
- Training.
Employers must:
- Provide
pesticide safety training, including training on the
use of PPE.
- Post
a pesticide safety poster at a central location.
- At
a central location, provide access to label information
and information about what pesticides have been used
on the establishment.
All
safety warnings, information, and training must be given in
"a manner the worker can understand." That is, if some workers
speak Spanish, safety literature and training must be in Spanish
as well as English. For more information on the EPA Workers
Protection Standards (WPS), contact the Pesticide Education
Office, 114 Buckhout Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802;
814-863-0263.
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
was published in 1993 as Pennsylvania State University Fact
Sheet Safety
35
,
Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service. For more information,
contact Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural
Sciences, Agricultural Engineering Department, 246 Agricultural
Engineering Building, University Park, PA 16802.
Dennis
J. Murphy, professor; Cathleen M. LaCross, technical writer,
Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension
Service, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
16802.
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