NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
May 27, 1999
Control Your Exposure to Pesticides, Safety Specialist Urges
Agricultural chemicals are deadly—and for good reason. They're designed to kill
crop robbers like insects, weeds and fungi. And if precautions aren't taken, they can also
have serious health consequences for humans, especially those who work with them every
day.
"As farmers begin preparing for the spray season, an important part of the
preparation should be to check and update their safety equipment," says George Maher,
an agricultural safety specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension
Service. "Equipment that doesn't work provides a false sense of safety, and equipment
that's missing or broken provides no protection at all."
The equipment needed will vary according to the protective needs listed on the
pesticide label. Read the label to determine what you will need, Maher says. Basic
protective equipment and procedures are listed below.
- A respirator. Start the season with fresh cartridges on your respirator, and replace
them at the first "smell" or "taste" of a chemical-like smell in the
mask. You can also keep a record of the cumulative time that the cartridges have been used
and replace them according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Chemical goggles. Chemical goggles have a baffled airway that prevents a direct splash
from getting inside the goggles; ordinary safety goggles do not have this feature.
- A protective apron or disposable coveralls. Researchers at the University of Illinois
found that pesticide-type chemicals can be absorbed into the body up to 11 times faster
when splashed in the groin area than on the lower arm. A protective apron is the minimum
protection needed, but a complete coverall such as one of the disposable types, offers the
best full-body protection against pesticide splashes.
- A protective hat. The scalp and forehead also have a high rate of pesticide absorption.
The hat should keep the scalp dry and prevent drips down the neck. A plastic bump cap
offers good protection because it is waterproof and can protect you from bumps with
machinery. Cloth and plastic mesh caps will absorb pesticides and should be avoided
because the pesticide residue cannot be completely washed out.
- Earplugs. The ear canal has a very high rate of pesticide absorption—four times
that of the forearm. If concentrated pesticide is handled above the shoulder height, wear
earplugs.
- Gloves. These should be chemical resistant, unlined and full-length rubber or plastic
with the cuff turned back to prevent drips and runs up the arm. A cloth lining can trap
pesticide residue that is difficult to remove.
- Rubber overshoes. Leather or cloth shoes and boots absorb pesticides and are difficult
or impossible to decontaminate. Chemicals soaked into leather footwear can result in
dangerous, long-term chemical exposure. Unlined rubber boots with non-slip soles offer the
best protection because they can be cleaned inside and out.
- A change of clothes. An extra change of clothing in a plastic bag gives you the ability
to limit your exposure if pesticide is spilled on your clothes.
Change clothes before entering the house. This prevents contamination of furnishings
and other household goods. Wash clothes worn during pesticide application separately.
Rinse the washer after washing contaminated clothing.
All pesticide protective clothing should be used only for pesticide protection, Maher
says. Rainsuits and other protective gear should never be used for general rain protection
or other uses. Protective equipment should be cleaned after every use with a thorough soap
and water washing and lots of rinsing.
Additional information can be found in the NDSU Extension Service publications AE-1107,
Personal Protective Equipment for Pesticide Work, and HE-382, Protect Your
Family...Guidelines for Handling and Laundering Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing, available
from NDSU Extension Service county offices.
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Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629