Besides using common sense, perhaps an applicator’s most important protection is wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Read the label to know what PPE to wear when applying a particular product. If the label gives no PPE requirements, at a minimum wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes, socks, and chemical-resistant gloves. Goggles, respirators, and chemical-resistant aprons also may be appropriate. Combinations of PPE may provide up to 90% reduction in pesticide exposure.

Additional Resources

• Laundering Clothing after Applying Pesticides
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Pesticide Safety Education Program
• Pesticide Safety articles in CropWatch

Figure 2. Wearing the proper protective gear helps prevent acute or chronic health problems from pesticide application. Proper PPE can prevent 90% of pesticide exposure. (Source: University of Hawaii)