Why should I use a respirator when applying pesticides ?

[ncga]

I have not been able to get this point across so here is the information and links from a simple google search

Learning Objectives
Unit 7 Personal Protective Equipment
After you complete your study of this unit, you should be able to:

* Describe your legal responsibility for following personal protective equipment requirements in pesticide labeling.
* Define the term "chemical resistant," and explain how to tell when a material is not chemical resistant to a particular pesticide.
* Identify factors that determine how well a coverall will protect your body.
* Explain the importance of wearing gloves when you handle pesticides.
* Give reasons why, gloves and footwear may fail to protect you.
* Explain when you should wear protective headgear, and describe appropriate headgear.
* Explain the term "protective eyewear."
* Distinguish among dust/mist filtering respirators, vapor-removing respirators, and air- supplying respirators.
* Describe the special hazards that fumigants pose. Explain some basic guidelines for cleaning and maintaining personal protective equipment items.


Return to Core Manual Table of Contents



Test Your Knowledge
Unit 7 Personal Protective Equipment

Q. What legal responsibility do you have for wearing the personal protective equipment that the pesticide labeling lists for your handling situation?
A. By law, you must wear at least the personal protective equipment listed on the labeling for the handling task you will be performing. You are allowed to wear additional or more protective personal protective equipment.

Q. Define the term "chemical-resistant".
A. Chemical-resistant: Able to prevent movement of the pesticide through the material during the period of use.

Q. How can you tell when a material is not chemical-resistant to the pesticide you are handling?
A. The material may change color; become soft or spongy; swell or bubble up; dissolve or become like jelly; crack or get holes; become stiff or brittle.

Q. What factors determine how well your coverall will protect your body?
A. A coverall is most protective if:

1. It fits loosely so there is a layer of air between it and the skin or inner clothing.
2. It is worn over another layer of clothing, because each layer of clothing adds a protective layer of air as well as a layer of fabric.
3. It has tightly constructed seams and snug, overlapping closures that do not gap or become unfastened readily.

Q. When should you wear chemical-resistant gloves? Why are gloves so important to a pesticide handler?
A. Wear chemical-resistant gloves any time you may get pesticides on your hands, except for some fumigants whose labeling may direct you not wear gloves. The hands are by far the most likely route of exposure for a pesticide handler.

Q. If you need to remove your gloves during the handling activity, what steps should you take to remove them and put them back on?
A. Before removing and/or replacing gloves during a handling activity you should:

1. Wash gloves thoroughly before taking them off.
2. Wash hands thoroughly and dry them before putting the gloves on again.

Q. Why do pesticides sometimes get on your skin even when you are wearing gloves and protective footwear?
A. The items may not be chemical-resistant to the pesticide being handled; they may not be worn correctly; they may not be in good condition; or they may not have been cleaned correctly or replaced soon enough.

Q. When should you wear protective headgear? What type of headgear should you use?
A. Whenever you may be exposed to pesticides from above, wear protective headgear to help keep pesticides off your head, neck, eyes, mouth, and face. Wear a chemical-resistant hood or widebrimmed hat. Plastic "safari" hats with plastic sweatbands are a good choice.

Q. When the pesticide labeling calls for "protective eyewear," what should you wear?
A. Wear goggles, a face shield, or safety glasses with brow and side shields.

Q. What are the differences among dust/mist-filtering respirators, vapor-removing respirators, and air-supplying respirators?
A. Dust/mist-filtering respirators are masks or cartridges that filter dust, mists, and particles out of the air around you. Vaporremoving respirators use a cartridge or canister to remove pesticide gases and vapors from the air around you. Air-supplying respirators provide you with clean air either from an air tank or from a location where the air is not contaminated with pesticides.

Q. What special hazards do fumigants pose for pesticide handlers?
A. Fumigants pose a serious inhalation hazard to pesticide handlers. Some fumigants also can cause severe skin burns if they are trapped next to the skin by tight clothing or chemical-resistant personal protective equipment.

Q. If the chemical-resistant gloves you have selected are reusable, how often should you routinely replace them? Under what conditions should you replace chemical-resistant items immediately?
A. Throw out most reusable gloves that have been worn for about 5 to 7 days of work. Extra heavy-duty gloves, such as those made of butyl or nitrile rubber, may last as long as 10 to 14 days. Replace chemical-resistant items immediately if they show any sign of wear or have holes, tears, or leaks.

Q. What should you do with a coverall that has highly toxic pesticide concentrate spilled on it?
A. Dispose of the coverall. It cannot be adequately cleaned.

Q. What should you tell the people who will be laundering your clothing about how to protect themselves from pesticides?
A. Tell them to:

1. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and apron, especially if handling contaminated items regularly or handling items contaminated with highly toxic pesticides.
2. Work in a well-ventilated area and do not inhale steam from the washer and dryer.

Q. What should you do with your respirator between handling tasks?
A. Seal the respirator in a clean, airtight container, such as a sturdy zip-closable plastic bag. If possible, put caps over the opening on the cartridges or canisters.

Q. What should you do when you are finished using your respirator for the day?
A. At the end of the day you should:

1. Discard any masks, filters, or respirators that cannot be reused.
2. Take off the prefilters and cartridges or canisters. Discard them or, if still usable, replace their caps and seal them in an airtight container, such as a zipclosable plastic bag.
3. Wash the respirator body, facepiece, and any reusable filters. Soak them for at least 2 minutes in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach in a gallon of hot water. Rinse thoroughly. Dry thoroughly or hang them in a clean area to dry.
4. Store the respirator and any reusable cartridges, canisters, filters, and prefilters in an airtight container in an area where they are protected from dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and pesticides or other chemicals.

Q. How will you know when to replace dust/mist masks, prefilters, and dust/mist-filtering and vapor-removing canisters and cartridges?
A. Change dust/mist masks, cartridges, and prefilters immediately if you have trouble breathing. They usually need to be changed at least every 8 hours. Change vapor-removing canisters or cartridges immediately if you smell, taste, or feel irritation from pesticide vapors. Change them whenever any "service life indicator" tells you that you should, or after the time limit set by the manufacturer. Otherwise, replace them after about 8 hours of use.

Return to Core Manual Table of Contents Return to Top

 

[ncga]

Pesticide Use in The Garden…Are Respirator Masks Necessary?

Question: My question involves respirator mask or spray mask for use in spraying pesticides in the garden. My husband handles all the “pest control” on our yard. He even tries at times to make his own natural homemade pesticides to use because he thinks they are safer and cheaper. However, should he wear a respirator or mask when applying chemicals at home? Heather, Hamilton, Canada

simple basic mask to to properly fit over nose and mouth

Answer: Excellent question on the use of spray masks and pesticides around the home and in the garden! Unfortunately, many pesticide applicators, homeowners and commercial alike do not correctly use pesticide respirators, have them fitted properly and others don’t use them at all.

Read the Pesticide Label

Pesticide labels are the law, however, when making a homemade natural pesticide obviously there is no label to go by or you be using an “environmentally friendly pesticide” and assume a mask is not needed. Even if the label on the pesticide does not mention or require a respirator, I would ALWAYS recommend wearing a properly fitted pesticide mask.

A spray mask should always be used when applying any potentially harmful material especially in an enclosed area. The reason is simple and I even follow this practice when using neem oil as a pesticide on plants.

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The lungs and all the other parts of the body, which make up the breathing and respiratory system, are highly efficient. The respiratory system can absorb into our body much more pesticides from the small floating particles than the skin. Breathing in particles greatly increases the effect of pesticides on humans. That is why the label on the pesticide often carries a precautionary statement like “do not breath vapor or spray mist” or “harmful or fatal if inhaled.”

Types Of Respirators – Air Purifying and Air Supplying

Respirators come in basically two types:

* Air Purifying – This type of respirator protects the applicator by removing containments from the air.
* Air Supplying – This type of respirator supplies air from an independent air source. Sort of like those doing HAZMAT work.

spray mask with replaceable filters to filter dust mist and other particles

In my thirty plus years of nursery work I’ve never had to go the air-supply respirator route and for most people the air-purifying respirator should deliver adequate protection.

Air Purifying Respirators – Three Basic Styles

The primary function of air-purifying respirators is to filter out and remove contaminants like dusts, mists, and particles; however, they can in some cases also remove gases and vapors.

Style #1 – This type of “pesticide mask” is shaped to cover the nose and mouth and filters out dusts, mists, and particles. Remember pesticides do not come in only a liquid form, which is sprayed. Dust types are also used and can produce fine particles that float in the air.
* Style #2 – The second style is a mask, which comes with one or more cartridges. Some masks are one-piece units and the cartridges permanently attached to the face piece. When finished using entire unit just throw it out.
* Style #3 – The third style is a mask utilizing canisters that contain air-purifying materials. We usually call these “gas masks” for short!

How Respirators Work

Air-purifying type respirators pull or draw air through the filters in one of two ways. The most common is lung power! The one wearing the mask draws air through the filter material with each and every breath. Most mist/dust mask, cartridge and canister respirators take advantage of this type of manual lungpower.

Picking the Proper Equipment

When selecting masks and cartridges for dust/mist-filtering make sure they are approved by (NIOSH) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and by (MSHA) the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Other filters may not be acceptable or as protective.

Always use a mist or dust mask held in place with two straps. One-strap styles are not approved by NIOSH and MSHA because they do not keep the respirator adequately sealed against the face. Make sure you do a respirator fit test to confirm the mask seals well.

 

[ncga]

How to Handle and Apply Pesticides Safely

1. Read and follow all label instructions. Many pest control products have brochures or instruction pamplets enclosed or attached to their container. Here are a few examples of the product instructions:


* Mix 1 oz. of product per 1 gallon of water. This is a mix ratio. Using stronger concentrations does not make the product more effective, but can increase its toxicity.
* Do not use in windy conditions. Windy conditions may cause the product to drift into unprotected areas, or into a waterway where contamination and unintentional aquatic life kill is possible.
* Do not mix with other products. Mixing pesticides, or any chemical, may produce unexpected and dangerous results.

2
Read the warning label. The warning label contains specific information about the product. Some obvious information may include the following.
* Its toxicity level.
o "CAUTION" means that it is mildly toxic. Lethal dose is an ounce or more.
o "WARNING" means that it is moderately toxic. Lethal dose is between a teaspoon and tablespoon,
o "DANGER" means that it is highly toxic. Lethal dose is trace amounts.
* Avoid fumes, use in well ventilated area. Liquid pesticides may produce poisonous fumes when the container is opened, or while the product is being mixed and applied.
* Avoid contact with skin. Many chemical products may be absorbed through skin.
* Avoid sparks or open flame. Pesticides are often suspensions in petroleum distillate solvents, which can be highly flammable.

3
Use only appropriate containers for measuring, mixing, and applying pesticides.
* Never use food preperation utinsels for this purpose. Even if you only intend to use a measuring cup for your pesticide, it could accidentally be picked up and taken into the kitchen later.
* Mix your pesticide in the application equipment if possible, to avoid handling it during use. Commonly, compressed air or pump up garden sprayers are used for this purpose. In agriculture, tractor mounted, PTO driven equipment is used to apply pesticides on crops and farm land.

4
Mix only the amount of the product you intend to use. This can be accomplished by reading the information on the label under "application rate", generally in terms of gallons per acre, or 'gallons per 1000 square foot". Measure the area you intend to treat, and calculate the amount of material required to treat it. Storing left over mixed pesticides is generally not a good idea, but if you must, label the container acccording to contents and date mixed, and keep it tightly closed.

5
Wash all equipment after each use. Use copious amounts of water, and do not allow run off from washing to go into waterways. Keep the washing operation away from wells or other drinking water supplies.

6
Use appropriate safety equipment. This is usually listed on the warning and usage label for each specific product, and the following are some common items.
* Safety glasses. These keep chemicals or dust from getting in the applicator's eyes.
* Rubber gloves. Rubber, neoprene, or other chemical resistant gloves protect your hands from chemicals which may be absorbed through your skin.
* Long sleeved shirts and long pants. Another barrier protection for your skin. When the application process is complete, remove clothing and rinse it thoroughly before laundering.
* Rubber boots. Because leather or cloth boots can absorb and accumulate chemicals, it is often suggested that the person applying pesticides wear rubber boots.

7
Never smoke, drink, or eat while applying pesticides.

8
Keep people and animals out of areas treated with insecticides and other chemicals for the period recommended on the product label. If you are using a liquid spray, no one should reenter the area until the product is completely dry.

9
Be extremely careful applying pesticides in buildings or homes. Use only products specifically labelled for this purpose, and remove any loose items such as clothing, books, and toys prior to applying.

10
Do not use pesticides after any expiration dates on the package. Chemicals undergo changes over a period of time, and pesticides may become unstable, more toxic, or ineffective after the expiration date listed on the package.

11
Use pesticides only at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. If insects return before the reapplication date, you will need to find a different control method. Most pesticides recommend treating (or retreating) a crop or area at specific intervals, often coinciding in the developement rate of insects from egg or larval stage to adult. Overuse can create chemical resistance in the target insect and toxic levels of chemical buildup in the soil, plants, and enviroment the pesticide is used on.

12
Apply pesticides in the early morning or late evening to avoid excessive drift (wind is normally lower during these time periods), and to prevent exposing beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs to the effects of them.

13

Be aware that certain pesticides are systemically active, meaning the chemical is absorbed by the plant tissues and distributed throughout the plant. For use on edible crops, carefully follow the label instructions in regard to the period prior to harvest that pesticides may be applied, since simply washing the product will not remove the poison.
14.
14
Alternate suitable pesticides to obtain the best results in pest control. This will ultimately give better control of insects and decrease the frequency of application.
15.
15
Always look for the most enviromentally sound, and least toxic pest control method. This contributes to safety by decreasing the use of poisons altogether. Planting certain flowers like marigolds, and herbs like garlic will naturally decrease the insect populations in your crop. Bacillus thuringiensis or "BT", is a bacterium compound which attacks certain insects when topically applied to plants, while being harmless to humans and animals.


edit Tips

* Use containers and measuring devices only for mixing and and using pesticides, and keep them stored with the pesticides they are used with.
* Buy only the amount of pesticides you expect to use immediately or in one season, since many have expiration dates, and storing them, in general, can be dangerous.
* When storing large quantities of pesticides, as in agricultural use, post signs so emergency personnel will be aware of them in the event of a fire or other disaster.
* Keep local emergency phone numbers and poison control center information nearby when using chemicals.
* Keep lots of clean water available when handling these materials in the event of accidental contact. Washing material off your skin and out of your eyes is the first step if you are accidentally exposed to the pesticide.

 

[ncga]

Good Information from Mr Robert Connell Clarke

A book I did not know about but just ordered

Hemp Diseases and Pests: Management and Biological Control

http://books.google.com/books?id=cD...respirator when applying pesticides ?&f=false

 

[ncga]

For Eagle 20 Users

Since it is designed for Turf use here is a golf course manual

Personal Safety Procedures

Wearing Protective Devices
Signs & Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning
Pesticide Poisoning First Aid
Safety Gear

You can never be too careful when handling pesticides. Every precaution should be taken to prevent accidental pesticide poisoning. When laundering pesticide contaminated clothing, remember:

1. Read the pesticide label for information.
2. Disposable pesticide clothing provides extra protection.
3. Pre-rinse clothing by presoaking in a suitable container; agitating in an automatic washing machine; spraying/hosing the garment(s) outdoors.
4. Washing machine settings: hot water temperature (140°F/60°C), full water level, normal (12 minutes) wash cycle.
5. Re-wash the contaminated clothing two or three times, if necessary.
6. Wash a few contaminated garments at a time, using lots of water.
7. Wash separately from family laundry. Discard clothing if thoroughly saturated.
8. Launder clothing daily when applying pesticide daily.
9. Rinse machine thoroughly after laundering contaminated clothing.
10. Line dry to avoid contaminating the automatic dryer.
11. Be aware of when pesticides are being used so that clothing can be appropriately laundered.

Skill in the handling of pesticides is necessary for proper results and for safety. You must know how to handle and understand the directions for use and how to apply it most effectively. You must know how to recognize signs and symptoms of poisoning and how to use proper first aid.

Wearing Protective Devices

Directions on the chemical label will always tell you to wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles and use a respirator. Wash your protective clothing and equipment after each use. When applying highly toxic pesticides and when directed on the label, your wardrobe should include the following: Coverall or a long-sleeved shirt and long pants; raincoat or liquid-proof apron; hard hat or other waterproof hat; boots made of unlined neoprene; gloves made of unlined neoprene long enough to protect the wrists; goggles or face shield; respirator (the three major types are cartridge, canister and self-contained).

Signs & Symptoms of Pesticide Poisoning

1. Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides - mild poisoning signs/symptoms will be: headache, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, salivation and eye watering. Moderate poisoning signs/symptoms will be: weakness, tightness in chest, pinpoint pupils and muscle twitching. Severe poisoning signs/symptoms will be: unconsciousness, seizures and flacid paralysis.
2. Bipyridyls (paraquat and diquat) poisoning signs/symptoms will be: blackening of fingernails, nosebleeds, sore throat, severe burning from ingested pesticide, kidney failure, liver damage and lung injury.
3. Fumigants poisoning signs/symptoms will be: headache, dizziness nausea and vomiting, swelling of throat, drowsiness, loss of coordination, tremors and seizures, weakness.

Pesticide Poisoning First Aid

Get medical advice quickly if you or any of your fellow workers have unusual or unexplained symptoms starting at work or later the same day. Do not let yourself or anyone else get dangerously sick before calling your physician or going to a hospital. First aid is the initial effort to help a victim while medical help is on the way. If you are alone with the victim, make sure the victim is breathing and is not being further exposed to the poison before you call for emergency help. Apply artificial respiration if the victim is not breathing. Read the first aid instructions on the pesticide label, if possible. Follow those instructions. Do not become exposed to poisoning yourself while you are trying to help. Take the pesticide container (or label) to the physician. Do not carry the pesticide container in the passenger space of a car or truck. Poison on skin: act quickly, remove contaminated clothing and drench skin with water, cleanse skin and hair thoroughly with detergent and water, dry victim and wrap in blanket. Chemical burn on skin: wash with large quantities of running water. Remove contaminated clothing. Cover burned area immediately with loose, clean, soft cloth. Do not apply ointments, greases, powders or other drugs in first aid treatment of burns. Poison in eye: wash eye quickly but gently. Hold eyelid open and wash with gentle stream of clean running water. Wash for 15 minutes or more. Do not use chemicals or drugs in the wash water as they may increase the extent of injury. Inhaled poison: carry victim to fresh air immediately. Open all doors and windows so no one else will be poisoned. Loosen tight clothing. Apply artificial respiration if breathing has stopped or if the victim's skin is blue. If patient is in an enclosed area, do not enter without proper protective clothing and equipment. If proper protection is not available, call for emergency equipment from your fire department. Poison in mouth or swallowed: rinse mouth with plenty of water. Give victim large amounts (up to 1 quart) of milk or water to drink. Induce vomiting only if instructions to do so are on the label. Procedure for inducing vomiting: position victim face down or kneeling forward. Do not allow victim to lie on his back because the vomitus could enter the lungs and do additional damage. Put finger or the blunt end of a spoon at the back of victim's throat or give syrup of ipecac. Collect some of the vomitus for the physician if you do not know what the poison is. Do not use salt solutions to induce vomiting. Do not induce vomiting: if the victim is unconscious or is having convulsions or if the victim has swallowed a corrosive poison. A corrosive poison is a strong acid or alkali. It will burn the throat and mouth as severely coming up as it did going down. It may get into the lungs and burn there also. Also, do not induce vomiting if the victim has swallowed an emulsifiable concentrate or oil solution. Emulsifiable concentrates and oil solutions may cause severe damage to the lungs if inhaled during vomiting.

Safety Gear

Some labels on equipment and chemicals note specific safety gear recommendations, but all crop protection products require the same basic protective clothing whenever you are around them:

1. Long sleeved shirt.
2. Long pants.
3. Sturdy shoes or boots.
4. Chemical resistant gloves.
5. Chemical resistant apron or jump suit. (A respirator is also required for certain chemicals.)

 

[Seamaiden]

This should be stickied, nc, perhaps one of the mods will see it and wave their magic e-wand.

I started another thread on the Eagle discussing specifically resistance. This thread is a great seque to many, many other threads.

Oh yes, every label I have except Stylet wants you to have socks on with the shoes/boots.

 

[desertsquirrel]

Protective gear is not negotiable. My pesticides teacher had liver failure from over exposure.

 

[ncga]

How timely is this sale. Also the tip sheets are a good read



nc

 

[Seamaiden]

I just saw yet another one of those reality shows they have on TLC--Ultimate Cleaners. These are the people who clean up anything. The gear they use looks and protects just like this stuff, because what they work with is really that toxic.

I only hit submit after spending almost 20 minutes on the Gempler's site.

 

[Blaze]

Nice thread, definitely should be a sticky. It always shocks me to see so many growers using nasty toxic shit on their plants with NO protection.

 

[Seamaiden]

Nice thread, definitely should be a sticky. It always shocks me to see so many growers using nasty toxic shit on their plants with NO protection.

Willy nilly without ever even having read the application and dosing instructions, even.

Resistance is futile? I think not.

 

[Darth Fader]

I can see full hazmat outfitting when using a sprayer outdoors or in large indoor/greenhouse gardens. In this scenario, there may be spray mist in the air and head & torso contact with branches while moving or moving between pots.

However, when dunking small clones, what would be the appropriate level of protection?
Hands & arms: definitely
Eyes: yes - splash happens
Respirator - not sure - no mist/spray, but is there gassing or fumes to worry about?
Coveralls - questionable

 

[desertsquirrel]

i have found it some what difficult to find the LD-50 for a lot of commonly used mmj pesticides (probably because the numbers are so high). Anyone keeping notes on it?