Pesticide Exposure Health Risks

Humans can be harmed by pesticides in two ways: poisoning and injury. Pesticide poisoning is caused by pesticides that harm internal organs or other bodily systems. Pesticide-related injuries are usually caused by pesticides that are external irritants. In one study of acute pesticide poisonings, researchers identified three factors that most often contributed to pesticide exposure: off-target drift, early reentry of workers into a treated area, and use of a pesticide in conflict with labeling instructions.

A person can be exposed to a pesticide in the following ways:

• Swallowing it - for instance, by eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking, using the restroom, or applying makeup after working with pesticides without first disinfecting the hands and face
• Breathing it - for instance, by directly breathing vapors from fumigants and other toxic pesticides while applying them, or by inhaling vapors that remain present shortly after someone else has applied a pesticide
• Getting it into the eyes - for instance, by applying pesticides in windy weather without eye protection, or by rubbing the eyes or face with contaminated hands
• Getting it onto the skin - for instance, by accidentally splashing or spraying pesticides on unprotected skin or eyes, or touching pesticide-covered surfaces

More than 95 percent of all pesticide exposures come from skin contact - primarily on the hands and forearms. Workers who apply pesticides can minimize or nearly eliminate exposure - and thus reduce the hazard - by following labeling instructions, by using personal protective equipment, and by handling the pesticide properly.

To learn more about Pesticide Handler Safety visit our Pesticide Handler Safety Online Training web page.