Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Textiles and Clothing

1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1295

Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing Needs Washing Care

HYG-5117-94

That pair of soiled jeans doesn't look dangerous. Neither does that stained shirt. But if these garments contain a pesticide residue, they might be a health hazard--not only to the wearer but also possibly to other family members.

During pesticide application, clothing can pick up pesticide residue through spills and drift. The chemical can then enter the body through the skin. Tossing contaminated garments into the washer or laundry basket with other clothes can transfer the residue to the other garments. And, ordinary laundry procedures won't rid the clothes of highly toxic and concentrated pesticide residues.

Because pesticide absorption through the skin--not through the respiratory system--is the major risk for agricultural workers, textile researchers continue to study pesticide removal from clothing. Fabrics studied include those typically used by farm workers--heavyweight 100% cotton and 50/50% polyester-cotton blends. Research to date shows that fiber content makes no significant difference in the amount of pesticide removed. However, shirts and pants of 100% polyester allow more penetration of pesticides, and should not be worn during pesticide application.

Research also indicates that fluorochemical soil repellent finishes for pesticide applicator protective apparel fabric reduce pesticide absorption, and thus give barrier properties to work clothes. However, such finishes are temporary, and should be reapplied after every second laundering. ScotchgardÆ is a trade name of a spray fluorochemical soil repellent finish.

Soil repellent treated garments, though, require more vigorous laundering treatment to remove pesticide residues. Use a pre-wash spot and stain product (such as Shout®, Spray 'n Wash®, and Stain Out®, etc.) with a heavy-duty liquid detergent (especially in hard water conditions) for better pesticide residue removal. If powdered, heavy duty detergents are used, do so only in soft water or use with a packaged water softener product (such as CalgonÆ), after treating with a pre-wash spot and stain product.

Find out when your spouse or other family members will be handling pesticides. Make it easy for them to keep contaminated garments separate from other laundry.

It's also important to know which chemicals are more toxic. Key words on all pesticide labels identify the toxicity of the product. For example: Poison Danger signifies a highly toxic or highly concentrated product; Warning, moderately toxic; and Caution, slightly toxic. The key word indicates toxicity level regardless of formulation.

Other factors which influence ease of removal are the formulation and concentration of the pesticide. Commonly used formulations are emulsifiable concentrates (EC), granulars (G), and wettable powders (WP). Water soluble formulations are easier to remove in laundering than oil based emulsifiable concentrates. Check pesticide label for formulation information.

Multiple washings are necessary if pesticide used is highly toxic or concentrated. In fact, discard clothing completely saturated with most concentrated, highly toxic pesticides. Use disposal directions on the side of the pesticide container label. Clothing contaminated with moderate or low-toxicity pesticides do not warrant such drastic measures.

Launder clothing after each day's use to maximize removal of chemicals. Accumulated residues are harder to remove. And, wearing clothing that already contains a pesticide puts the wearer at additional risk.

To properly launder pesticide-contaminated clothing, use the following procedures:

• Keep contaminated clothing separate from other garments. Use a disposable plastic bag placed in a cardboard box to hold them rather than a cloth bag or laundry basket. Wear rubber gloves when putting contaminated garments into the bag, and again when placing garments in the washer.
• If pesticide has left a stain, apply a prewash soil and stain remover or rub in a heavy duty liquid detergent.
• Pre-rinse contaminated clothing by hosing down outdoors, soaking in a separate tub or pail, or agitating in the washing machine. If rinsing outdoors, rinse and dispose of water away from ground water sources and away from areas where children play or animals are kept.
• Wash contaminated clothing separately from the family wash. Research shows that pesticide residues are transferred from contaminated clothing to other clothing when they are laundered together. Wash only a few contaminated garments at a time. Wash garments contaminated by the same pesticides together.
• Use as hot a water temperature as possible--the hotter the better. Cold water washing may save energy, but it will not remove the pesticide effectively.
• Set washer water level for extra large or large load to flush fabrics thoroughly. Use regular cycle (at least 12 minutes) and normal wash speed settings. A double rinse is recommended.
• Use the recommended amount of heavy duty liquid laundry detergent--don't skimp. Research shows that heavy duty liquid detergents, known for their oil removing ability, are more effective in removing emulsifiable concentrate pesticide formulations, which are oil based. Either the heavy duty liquid, or heavy duty powder detergents under soft water conditions, effectively remove non-oil based pesticide residues.
• Laundry additives such as chlorine bleach or ammonia do not improve removal of pesticide residues. Never use ammonia and chlorine bleach in the same wash load.
• Multiple washings are needed if clothing was worn when using highly toxic or concentrated pesticides. Clothing worn while using low toxicity products may be laundered effectively in one machine washing. Check the pesticide label for keywords indicating toxicity levels. Remember to discard clothing heavily soiled with full-strength or concentrated liquid pesticides.
• Line dry the garments. This prevents the possibility of residues collecting in the dryer.
• Remove any leftover pesticides from the washer by running an "empty load" through the complete cycle, using hot water, full or normal water level, detergent, and normal or regular machine settings and cycles.

Use disposable protective clothing when possible to limit contamination of clothes. This is especially important when the applicator is in direct contact with pesticides such as when mixing and loading pesticides for application. Exposure can be minimized with careful attention to label recommendations, safety practices and personal hygiene.

References

Laughlin and Gold, R.E. (1990). Water hardness, detergent type, and prewash product use as factors affecting methyl parathion residue retained in protective apparel fabrics. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 8-4, 61-67.

North Central Cooperative Series (1988). Limiting pesticide exposure through textile cleaning procedures. #314.