How to Avoid Adverse Effects of Pesticides

Read the label on the pesticide. This cannot be stressed enough since each pesticide is different.

Post emergency phone numbers near your work area in case you are exposed to the pesticide. Include 911 as well as any personal contacts that need to be notified in case of emergency.

Bring absorbent material, such as kitty litter or saw dust, and educate yourself on first aid procedures in case of exposure. A guide for first aid procedures is available from the University of Missouri - Columbia.

Check the surrounding area you plan to spray to make sure you are not in too close proximity to any problem areas. Do not spray near areas where people or other animals congregate on a regular basis, like bus stops, sidewalks, heavily traveled roadways, schools, hospitals or other fields where people work. Pond or lake water may be used by animals for drinking. Streams or rivers can carry pesticides far away. It is best to avoid these areas as well.

If it is not your own property, tell the person in charge of the property the details about your application. This person will need to know where you are spraying and how long it will take. They also need to know the kind of pesticide you are using in case of accidental contamination in the future.

Wear protective clothing. The pesticide label should provide details for the clothing that should be worn. This can range from just wearing long sleeve shirts to chemical-resistant suits. Gloves may be required if it is a danger to your skin and a face shield may be needed to protect your eyes.

Make sure people and animals are clear of the application area.

Work in groups of two or more people. Check on each other every two hours to make sure nobody is feeling adverse affects. If anyone starts feeling sick, stop working immediately and seek medical attention.

Clean the tools thoroughly when you are done. They need to be rinsed in an area where the rinse water will not come in contact with water supplies or streams.

Store tools and chemicals in a secure location like a locked shed or work vehicle.

Wash the clothes that were worn during the application immediately after use. The pesticide that is on them will spread to anything the clothes touch. Hang them away from non-contaminated clothing and away from areas heavily traveled by people or pets. Spray them with a hose to rinse them off or soak them in a designated container. Rub a heavy duty liquid on any soiled areas. Wash the contaminated clothes in the washer separate from non-contaminated clothing. Use multiple, warm rinse cycles and then air dry.

Wash your body before eating, smoking or using the bathroom. Be thorough and pay close attention to finger nails and hair.

Make sure nobody reenters the spray area until the recommended time provided on the label of the pesticide.

Keep detailed records of the kind of pesticide used, the application area and dates. Store them in a safe place like your home or office. These records can be helpful so future chemicals aren't used that could damage the crops and to make sure you don't spray too often.