Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Wear gloves and an apron, especially if handling contaminated items
regularly or handling items contaminated with highly toxic pesti-
cides.
•
Work in a well-ventilated area, if possible, and avoid inhaling steam
from the washer or dryer.
b.
Washing Procedure
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning chemical-resistant
items. If the manufacturer instructs you to wash the item but gives no de-
tailed instructions, or offers no cleaning instructions at all, follow the proce-
dure below. Some chemical-resistant items that are not flat, such as gloves,
footwear, and coveralls, must be washed twice—once to thoroughly clean the
outside of the item and a second time after turning the item inside out. Some
chemical-resistant items, such as heavy-duty boots and rigid hats or helmets,
can be washed by hand using hot water and a heavy-duty liquid detergent.
They should be dried and aired as directed below.
The best procedure for washing non chemical-resistant items, such as cot-
ton, cotton/polyester, denim, canvas, and other absorbent materials, and most
chemical-resistant items is:
1.
Rinse in a washing machine or by hand.
2.
Wash only a few items at a time so there will be plenty of agitation
and water for dilution.
3.
Wash in a washing machine, using a heavy-duty liquid detergent and
hot water for the wash cycle.
4.
Rinse twice using two entire rinse cycles and warm water.
5.
Use two entire machine cycles to wash items that are moderately to
heavily contaminated.
6.
Run the washer through at least one additional cycle without cloth-
ing, using detergent and hot water, to clean the machine after each
batch of pesticide contaminated items and before any other laundry is
washed.
c.
Drying Procedure
Hang the items to dry, if possible. It is best to let them hang for at least
24 hours in an area with plenty of fresh air. Even after thorough washing,
some items still may contain pesticides. When the items are exposed to clean
air, remaining pesticide residues move to the surface and evaporate. You may
