What action should you take first to prevent cross-contamination when leaving a treated area?

• A. Remove contaminated PPE before leaving treated areas
• B. Wash hands before handling clean items
• C. Launder contaminated PPE as directed
• D. Place contaminated garments in designated container

Answer: (A)

The key is to remove anything contaminated before you leave the treated area. Contaminated PPE carries pesticide residues that can easily transfer to your skin, your clean clothing, or surfaces you touch once you step into non-treated spaces. Taking off the PPE first, in a designated doffing area, helps stop the residues at the source and prevents spreading to clean items or people. After that, you would place the contaminated garments in a designated container to keep them separate from clean gear, then wash your hands before handling anything clean, and finally launder the PPE as directed to remove the residues.