What steps should you take to decontaminate after handling pesticides?

• A. Do nothing; rinse only if you have time.
• B. Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, wash hands before eating or drinking, clean and store PPE per label, and launder contaminated clothing separately.
• C. Only wash hands with cold water.
• D. Shower immediately after handling, regardless of contamination.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is thorough decontamination to reduce exposure and prevent spreading pesticide residues. After handling pesticides, you should remove any clothing that may be contaminated first, so residues aren’t kept on your skin or carried to other surfaces. Then wash skin with soap and water to remove remaining residues rather than just rinsing, which helps lower the chance of dermal absorption. Wash your hands before eating or drinking to prevent ingesting any residues. Clean and store your PPE according to the label instructions so gear remains protective and residues aren’t transferred to you or others. Finally, launder contaminated clothing separately to prevent contaminating other clothes or the household laundry.

Why the other options aren’t adequate: simply doing nothing or rinsing only if you have time leaves residues that can be absorbed or transferred. Washing only your hands ignores skin exposure elsewhere and the need to remove contaminated clothing and properly clean and store PPE. Showering right away without removing contaminated clothing first or without following label directions can still leave residues on your skin or gear and misses proper PPE handling.