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When in Doubt, Take the PPE Route!
What Is PPE?
What Is PPE?
Most consumers and homeowners are probably not familiar with the acronyms that pesticide safety educators use on a daily basis. Understandably so – many of these acronyms are not pertinent to the daily lives of consumers and homeowners. However, there is one acronym that could be useful in your home pesticide applications: PPE. PPE stands for personal protective equipment, and it refers to the clothing and devices pesticide applicators wear to protect themselves while working with pesticides.
Most consumers and homeowners are probably not familiar with the acronyms that pesticide safety educators use on a daily basis. Understandably so – many of these acronyms are not pertinent to the daily lives of consumers and homeowners. However, there is one acronym that could be useful in your home pesticide applications: PPE. PPE stands for personal protective equipment, and it refers to the clothing and devices pesticide applicators wear to protect themselves while working with pesticides.
PPE is an important tool for anyone working with pesticides. Personal protective equipment is made to shield our skin, eyes, and respiratory system from possible pesticide exposure. The thought of wearing PPE to apply pesticides might sound unappealing. However, taking this extra precaution is better than taking a risk. Certified pesticide applicators are very familiar with PPE and how to determine what PPE to use for each pesticide application.
PPE is an important tool for anyone working with pesticides. Personal protective equipment is made to shield our skin, eyes, and respiratory system from possible pesticide exposure. The thought of wearing PPE to apply pesticides might sound unappealing. However, taking this extra precaution is better than taking a risk. Certified pesticide applicators are very familiar with PPE and how to determine what PPE to use for each pesticide application.
Choosing Suitable PPE
Choosing Suitable PPE
Personal protective equipment for pesticide applications around the home and garden is usually minimal, but warrants consideration. First and foremost, always read the pesticide label before you purchase, use, and store a pesticide or dispose of a pesticide and its container. Reading the label will help you decide if you are prepared to use a pesticide product, or if you need to consider using another product. This simple step can save you a lot of heartache.
Personal protective equipment for pesticide applications around the home and garden is usually minimal, but warrants consideration. First and foremost, always read the pesticide label before you purchase, use, and store a pesticide or dispose of a pesticide and its container. Reading the label will help you decide if you are prepared to use a pesticide product, or if you need to consider using another product. This simple step can save you a lot of heartache.
Where should you look to find instructions on PPE? The label of course! Every pesticide product label has a section titled Precautionary Statements. If specialized PPE is required, it will be listed under this section. At minimum, you should wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, socks, and close-toed shoes for every application. For professional applicators, the label may require complex PPE like chemical-resistant suits or aprons, special respirators, goggles, and so on. For consumers and homeowners, the additional PPE may be as simple as wearing chemical-resistant gloves and/or safety glasses. Not all labels are the same. Be sure to check each product label for specific requirements.
Where should you look to find instructions on PPE? The label of course! Every pesticide product label has a section titled Precautionary Statements. If specialized PPE is required, it will be listed under this section. At minimum, you should wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, socks, and close-toed shoes for every application. For professional applicators, the label may require complex PPE like chemical-resistant suits or aprons, special respirators, goggles, and so on. For consumers and homeowners, the additional PPE may be as simple as wearing chemical-resistant gloves and/or safety glasses. Not all labels are the same. Be sure to check each product label for specific requirements.
Always wear long pants, a long-sleved shirt, socks, and closed-toed shoes while applying pesticides. A pair of chemical resistant gloves can further protect your hands from dermal exposure. Check the pesticide product label to see what PPE is required.
Selecting Proper Gloves
Selecting Proper Gloves
When the label requires chemical-resistant gloves, this means you should wear gloves that will not absorb liquid. The cloth gloves you may wear while gardening are an unacceptable choice during a pesticide application. If you were to spill chemical on your cloth gloves, the material would absorb the pesticide and hold it against your skin, which could cause chemical burns. Always choose gloves that will repel liquid and are made from materials such as neoprene, butyl, or nitrile rubber.
When the label requires chemical-resistant gloves, this means you should wear gloves that will not absorb liquid. The cloth gloves you may wear while gardening are an unacceptable choice during a pesticide application. If you were to spill chemical on your cloth gloves, the material would absorb the pesticide and hold it against your skin, which could cause chemical burns. Always choose gloves that will repel liquid and are made from materials such as neoprene, butyl, or nitrile rubber.
Cleaning Your PPE
Cleaning Your PPE
Last, but not least, it is necessary to clean and care for your personal protective equipment. After each pesticide application, launder your clothing as soon as possible. Wash these items separately from other clothing using hot water and heavy-duty detergent. Before washing any other laundry, run a complete cycle of hot water to remove leftover pesticide residue from the washer.
Last, but not least, it is necessary to clean and care for your personal protective equipment. After each pesticide application, launder your clothing as soon as possible. Wash these items separately from other clothing using hot water and heavy-duty detergent. Before washing any other laundry, run a complete cycle of hot water to remove leftover pesticide residue from the washer.
For best results, line-dry the clothing on a sunny day, where sunlight will continue to break down remaining pesticide residues. If chemical-resistant gloves or safety glasses were used, it is also good practice to rinse them using hot water and detergent. Keep up the good work with pesticide safety and wear your PPE!
For best results, line-dry the clothing on a sunny day, where sunlight will continue to break down remaining pesticide residues. If chemical-resistant gloves or safety glasses were used, it is also good practice to rinse them using hot water and detergent. Keep up the good work with pesticide safety and wear your PPE!
For More Information, Please Visit:
For More Information, Please Visit:
Minimizing Exposure & PPE Infographic -- National Pesticide Information Center
Using Pesticides Safely and Correctly -- Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
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