Start The Season With Good Protective Equipment

The season for applying agricultural chemicals is here so producers need to check their pesticide personal protective equipment according to George Maher, North Dakota State University Extension agriculture safety specialist. "Applicators, including farmers and commercial applicators, should begin checking and updating their personal safety equipment."

Applicators should have an assortment of protective equipment including chemical goggles, gloves, apron or full-body coveralls, respirators, hat and boots. The type of work will determine the equipment needed and should be stated on the product label.

Statistics from the North Dakota Poison Center show that the two most common routes of pesticide entry into the body are absorption through the skin and inhalation via the lungs.

"Respirator cartridges have a limited lifespan, they don't last forever so they need to be replaced periodically," Maher says. "Be sure that you have a fresh supply of cartridges to start the season. As you work, replace it according to the manufacturer's recommendations to be sure the respirator protects you."

Wear pesticide approved gloves when handling pesticides. Gloves should be unlined and full-length rubber or plastic with the cuff turned back to prevent drips and runs up the arm. Gloves need to be unlined because pesticides can be trapped in a cloth lining and residues can be very difficult to wash out.

Also wear rubber overshoes when working with pesticides. Leather shoes or boots absorb pesticide residues that are impossible to remove. A chemical residue in leather footwear can result in dangerous, long-term chemical exposure resulting in chronic pesticide poisoning. Unlined rubber boots with non-slip soles offer the best protection because they can easily be cleaned.

Protect the main part of your body from pesticides, too. University of Illinois researchers discovered that pesticides, such as Parathion, can be absorbed into the body up to 11 times faster when splashed on the groin area as compared to the lower arm. The minimum protection needed is a protective apron. For complete protection, a disposable type of coverall offers the best full-body protection against pesticide splashes. There are many styles and sizes available so you can be selective.

The scalp and forehead have a very high rate of pesticide absorption according to the University of Illinois studies. "Always wear a protective hat when working with pesticides," Maher says. "A plastic bump cap offers good protection because it is waterproof and also protects the head from bumps. Be sure the sweatband is nonabsorbent to prevent pesticide poisoning. Avoid cloth and plastic mesh caps as they will absorb pesticides."

Pesticide protective clothing should be used only for pesticide protection and not for general rain protection or other uses. Clean the protective equipment after every use with soap and water and lots of rinsing so it is safe to wear the next time.

Eye protection is also very important when working with agricultural chemicals. There is an important difference between chemical goggles and ordinary safety goggles, Maher notes. Chemical goggles have a baffled airway that prevents a direct splash from getting inside the goggles while ordinary safety goggles do not have this feature.

More information is available through various NDSU publications such as AE-490, Personal Protective Equipment; NCR 204, Protective Clothing for Handling Pesticides and HE-382, Protect Your Family -- Guidelines for Handling and Laundering Pesticide Contaminated Clothing. The publications are available at NDSU Extension Service county offices.

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