Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Eye exposures
often are caused by:
•
splashing or spraying pesticides in eyes
•
applying pesticides in windy weather without eye protection
•
rubbing eyes or forehead with contaminated gloves or hands
•
pouring dust, granule, or powder formulations without eye protec-
tion
B.
TOXICITY
Toxicity is a measure of the ability of a pesticide to cause harmful effects.
Toxicity depends on:
•
type and amount of active ingredient(s)
•
type and amount of carrier or solvent ingredient(s)
•
type and amount of inert ingredient(s)
•
type of formulation, such as dust, granule, powder, or emulsifiable
concentrate.
The toxicity of a particular pesticide is measured by subjecting laboratory
animals (usually rats, mice, rabbits, and dogs) or tissue cultures to different
dosages of the active ingredient and of the formulated product over various
time periods. However, some people react more severely or more mildly than
estimated. Be alert to your body's reaction to the pesticides you are handling.
Some people seem to be especially sensitive to individual pesticides or to
groups of similar pesticides.
You may have a choice of pesticides for a particular pest problem. One of
the factors you should consider is how toxic each possible choice is to persons
who will use it or be exposed to it.
C.
HARMFUL EFFECTS
Pesticides can cause three types of harmful effects: acute effects, delayed or
chronic effects, and allergic effects.
1.
Acute Effects
Acute effects are illnesses or injuries that may appear immediately after
exposure to a pesticide (usually within 24 hours). Studying a pesticide's rela-
tive capability of causing acute effects has been the main way to assess and
compare how toxic pesticides are. Acute effects can be measured more accu-
