Which statement best describes safe handling of PPE after pesticide use?

• A. Launder PPE as soon as possible; do not let clothes sit around
• B. Leave PPE to dry in sun and reuse without washing
• C. Reuse PPE without cleaning
• D. Dispose of PPE after every use

Answer: (A)

Prompt decontamination of PPE after pesticide use is essential to prevent exposure. Laundering PPE as soon as possible removes residues before they can irritate skin or be transferred to the skin, other clothing, or surfaces. When PPE sits around contaminated, residues can dry in, become harder to remove, and increase the chance of secondary exposure when handling or washing later. Reusing PPE without cleaning keeps pesticides on the gear, which can contact the skin and spread to other surfaces or people. Disposing of PPE after every use would be wasteful and isn’t appropriate for reusable gear; only items meant to be disposable should be discarded after a single use.