Pesticide Safety Fact Sheet
DESCRIPTION
This fact sheet aims to provide the reader with valuable information about handling, using, and disposing of pesticides safely.
WHY?
• To protect people, both yourself and others.
• To protect the environment, including, but not limited to, water, plants, and animals.
HUMAN HARM
Humans can be poisoned or injured by pesticides. Poisoning results when pesticides enter the body and cause internal harm. Injury results when pesticides cause damage to the external body.
Toxicity level is the measure of how harmful a pesticide is. Toxicity is dependent upon the amount of pesticide exposure. Exposure is when a pesticide comes in contact with any part of a person’s body.
RESPONDING TO POISONING EMERGENCY
1. Stop pesticide exposure
2. Call for emergency help
3. Check the label to determine if any actions can be taken before help arrives.
SKIN EXPOSURE
1. Drench skin with water
2. Remove PPE/contaminated clothing
3. Wash skin/hair thoroughly with mild detergent
4. Cover victim and prevent overheating or becoming too cold
5. Use a soft, loose bandage for burns.
*Do not apply creams or powders.*
OCULAR EXPOSURE
1. Quickly wash your eyes with a gentle drip of clean water for 15+ minutes.
*Do not add anything to the water!*
INHALATION OF PESTICIDE
1. Get the victim and anyone else to fresh air.
2. Loosen tight clothing and use artificial respiration are necessary.
*Use an airway tube if available to prevent direct contact in mouth-to-mouth.*
MOUTH EXPOSURE
1. Rinse mouth
2. Give the victim lots of water or milk to drink.
*Only induce vomiting if instructed on the label.*
LABEL AND CLASSIFICATION
Pesticide labeling is the law and must be followed. There are two classifications for pesticides, unclassified and restricted. Unclassified, or general use, does not require a pesticide certification to purchase and use. Restricted, or RUP (Restricted Use Pesticide), pesticides could cause harm to humans and the environment and require a certificate to buy and use.
