Which of the following is part of the procedure for handling contaminated clothing and PPE?

• A. Throw away any PPE contacted with highly toxic pesticides or pesticide concentrates
• B. Launder contaminated clothing together with other clothes daily
• C. Wash other PPE with only cold water and no detergent
• D. Store contaminated PPE with clean PPE

Answer: (A)

Protecting yourself from pesticide exposure means recognizing when contaminated PPE cannot be safely reused. When PPE has been in contact with highly toxic pesticides or pesticide concentrates, residues may remain even after cleaning and can pose a serious risk to the wearer. In these cases, discarding the contaminated PPE is the safest option, following any local disposal rules and the pesticide label or manufacturer guidance.

Cross-contamination is the big issue with the other practices. Laundering contaminated clothing with regular laundry risks spreading residues to other clothes and areas. Cleaning PPE with only cold water and no detergent won’t reliably remove lingering pesticides. Storing contaminated PPE with clean PPE can transfer contamination to items that are considered safe.