SPRAYING PESTICIDES

HAZARD
BY J U L I O P. D AV I D
 WHAT IS PESTICIDE?
Pesticides are chemical compounds that are
used to kill pests, including insects, rodents,
fungi and unwanted plants (weeds).
Pesticides are used in public health to kill
vectors of disease, such as mosquitoes, and
in agriculture, to kill pests that damage
crops. By their nature, pesticides are
potentially toxic to other organisms,
including humans, and need to be used
safely and disposed of properly. (WHO)
 ACUTE
Acute toxicity of a pesticide
refers to the chemical's ability
to cause injury to a person or
animal from a single exposure,
generally of short duration.
The four routes of exposure are
dermal (skin), inhalation
(lungs), oral (mouth), and the
eyes.
CHRONIC
The chronic toxicity is the long term
effects of exposure to cause on a
person.
HEALTH Effects from exposure to certain
pesticides include birth defects, toxicity
EFFECTS
to a fetus, production of benign or
malignant tumors, genetic changes,
blood disorders, nerve disorders,
endocrine disruption, and reproduction
effects.
The chronic toxicity of a pesticide is
more difficult than acute toxicity to
determine through laboratory analysis.
 CLOTHING STANDARDS
• Trousers
• Long-sleeved clothes
• Hat or head cover
• Mask
• Gloves
• Boots
• Special eye glasses
COMMON SPRAYERS
 SPRAYING SAFE
TECHNIQUES
• Spraying must be done while walking backwards
so that sprayers are not directly exposed to
pesticides.
• Do not spray downwind so that the spray mist
does not blow towards the sprayer.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke during pesticide
spraying activities.
• Do not touch freshly sprayed plants.
• Wash hands after spraying is complete
• Clean the body and wash clothes that have been
used.
• Drink a glass of pure white milk after spraying.
 STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
• Store pesticides in a place that can be locked
and is not accessible to unauthorized people
or children.
• Pesticides should never be kept in a place
where they might be mistaken for food or
drink.
• Keep pesicides dry but away from fires and
out of direct sunlight.
• Do not carry pesticides in a vehicle that is
also used to transport food.
• Should be placed in an area that has fire
extinguisher nearby
INDICATIONS OF PESTICIDE POISONING
• General: extreme weakness and fatigue.
• Skin: irritation, burning sensation, excessive sweating, staining.
• Eyes: itching, burning sensation, watering, difficult or blurred
vision, narrowed or widened pupils.
• Digestive system: burning sensation in mouth and throat,
excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
diarrhoea.
• Nervous system: headaches, dizziness, confusion, restlessness,
muscle twitching, slurred speech, fits, unconsciousness.
• Respiratory system: cough, chest pain and tightness, difficulty
with breathing, wheezing.
 FIRST-AID TREATMENT

1. Skin Exposure
• Wash with large quantities of slow running water.
• Remove contaminated clothing.
• Immediately cover loosely with a clean, soft cloth.
 FIRST-AID TREATMENT
2. Eyes Exposure
• Hold eyelids open and wash eye with a gentle stream of clean running water.
• Continue washing for fifteen minutes or more. It is important to use a large
volume of water. If possible, at least five gallons should be used to flush the
eye properly.
• Do not use chemicals or drugs in wash water. They may increase the extent
of the injury.
• Cover the eye with a clean piece of cloth and seek medical attention
immediately.
 FIRST-AID TREATMENT

3. Digestive system exposure

• Rinse the mouth with plenty of water, only if the victim is still
conscious
• Make the victim vomit by scraping the back of the throat and / or
giving a full tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water, if the victim is
still conscious.
 FIRST-AID TREATMENT

4. Nervous system exposure

• Unless he is vomiting, keep the victim flat on his back with his legs up
• Keep the victim warm enough to prevent shivering. Do not overheat.
• Keep the victim quiet and reassure him often.
 FIRST-AID TREATMENT
5. Respiratory problem
• Carry patient (do not let him walk) to fresh air immediately.
• Open all doors and windows.
• Loosen all tight clothing.
• Apply artificial respiration if breathing has stopped or is irregular.
• Keep victim as quiet as possible.
• If victim is convulsing, watch his breathing and protect him from
falling and striking his head. Keep his chin up so his air passage will
remain free for breathing.
 REFERENCES
• https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/pesticides/firstaid.html
• https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Conten
t/ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l~ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l-
ch5~ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l-ch5.16
• http://psep.cce.cornell.edu/Tutorials/core-tutorial/module10/index.aspx
• http://fac-pt.com/artikel/keselamatan-kerja-pemakaian-pestisida/
• https://www.who.int/topics/pesticides/en/
• https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resources/vector385to39
7.pdf