Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and by keepi ng your perso nal protective equip ment clean and in good operat-
ing condition.
Figure 7.2
The improper and proper attire (left and right photos, respec-
tively) to apply pesticides using a high pressure sprayer. (Both figures are
courtesy of the EPA.)
In most pesticide handling situations, the skin is the part of the body that
is most likely to receive exposure. Evidence indicates that about 97 percent of
all body exposure that happens during pesticide spraying is by contact with
the skin. The only time that inhalation is a greater hazard than skin contact is
when you are working in a poorly ventilated enclosed space and are using a
fumigant or other pesticide that is highly toxic by the inhalation route.
The amount of pesticide that is absorbed through your skin (and eyes) and
into your body depends on:
•
the pesticide itself and the material used to dilute the pesticide.
Emulsifiable concentrates, oil-based liquid pesticides, and oil-based di-
luents (such as xylene) are, in general, absorbed most readily. Wa-
ter-based pesticides and dilutions (such as wettable and soluble pow-
ders and dry flowables) usually are absorbed less readily than the
oil-based liquid formulations but more readily than dry formulations.
Dusts, granules, and other dry formulations are not absorbed as read-
ily as liquids.
