Staying safe while spraying
Wearing the proper personal protective equipment when spraying pesticides can decrease exposure by 90 percent. Many pesticides require minimal PPE such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. Some pesticides require more PPE such as a respirator and chemical-resistant suit. All pesticides will have the required PPE printed on the product label.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 10,000-20,000 physician-diagnosed pesticide poisonings occur each year among the approximately 2 million U.S. agricultural workers. While that statistic only applies to agricultural workers, grounds keepers, pet groomers or anybody that applies any type of pesticide or sanitizer are at risk for exposure.
Pesticide exposure tends to occur more in the spring due to increased spraying of cropland, ditches, roadways and for pest control. Even though pesticide labels clearly state that PPE must be worn, a survey conducted by MSU Extension showed that 43 percent of those surveyed do not wear PPE while applying pesticides and almost 30 percent of those same individuals have experienced mild to moderate exposure symptoms. Many exposure symptoms such as headache and nausea are similar to heat exhaustion which is why it’s important to know if you have been exposed to pesticides and not “overheated”.
You are at a higher risk for exposure when mixing or handling pesticides. Because of this, it is sometimes recommended that you wear more PPE than required by the label when doing so. Face shields, chemical-resistant aprons and boots are recommended when mixing and handling liquids. For granular pesticides (and fertilizers) it is always best to wear a respirator due to inhalation hazards. Proper rinsing and disposal of pesticide containers should also be a priority.
Most PPE is inexpensive and relatively comfortable. For typically $15-20, you can be covered from head-to-toe in proper PPE, most of which is reusable. This is quite a bargain considering that a visit to the ER typically carries a $100 co-pay or higher. Most chemical-resistant gloves, boots and clothing can be purchased locally. There are also many websites and catalogs that sell PPE.
Always take the following precautions when spraying pesticides.
• Read the product label.
• Use proper application rates.
• Wear PPE required by the label and remember it’s OK to wear more (especially when mixing).
• Make sure that your PPE is labeled “chemical resistant”. Latex gloves for example, are not chemical resistant and will break down quickly. Gloves need to have a thickness of at least 14 mils for pesticide use.
• Avoid wearing cotton and leather, pesticides can be absorbed and contaminate these materials.
• When spraying with an enclosed cab, always make sure the cab is air tight or wear a respirator or particle mask to limit exposure (especially if it’s an older tractor/sprayer).
• Triple-rinse pesticide containers and dispose of them properly.
• Properly clean PPE after use or contamination, product labels will give specific instructions on how to do so.
• Always wash hands after removing PPE and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, etc.
Contact your local MSU Extension office or visit msuextension.org for more information. For information on the Pesticide Container Recycling Program, contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at 406-444-5400 or visit agr.mt.gov.