America's abundant food supply is dependent upon the use of pesticides in crop and livestock management. Some of these chemicals can harm humans, so proper laundering of pesticide-soiled clothing is important. Sound laundry procedures protect the pesticide applicator, the person doing the laundry and the entire family from pesticide residues.
Pesticides can enter the body in several ways -- through the skin, mouth, lungs, and eyes. Skin contamination is the number one cause of pesticide-related illness. To keep pesticides off your skin you will need special protective gear. Try to limit clothing worn while handling pesticides to that use only.
Any time you work with pesticides, you will need at least a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, a hat and socks and shoes. In some cases you will need more protective clothing and equipment. Always read pesticide labels for information on what to wear.
Pesticides are classified into three levels of toxicity. The more toxic a pesticide, the more care should be taken in protecting against contamination and in laundering clothes. Look for the signal words in the following table to determine toxicity level. Signal words are clearly printed on the pesticide label.
Clothing can keep pesticides away from the skin, however, that same clothing can become a source of contamination if pesticides aren't laundered out after each wearing. The following suggestions for care of pesticide-soiled clothing are based on findings from many research studies in the United States.
Table 1. Signal Words and Toxicities | ||
Signal word | Toxicity* | Examples |
Danger Poison |
Highly toxic/ concentrated | Temik Di-Syston Parathion** Furadan Lannate/Nudrin |
Warning | Moderately toxic | Diazinon Treflan |
Caution | Slightly toxic | 2,4-D Sevin Atrazine Malathion |
*
Toxicity of the pesticide may vary depending upon the
formula. Use the signal word as an indication of the toxicity
level. Note: The pesticide does not have to be concentrated
to be highly toxic;
** Parathion is highly toxic. |
GENERAL GUIDELINES
When storing and laundering pesticide-soiled clothing these precautions help protect all family members.
Pre-rinsing is an especially effective way to remove particles from clothing when a wettable powder pesticide has been used. Pre-rinse in a safe area away from food or drinking water.
Commercial prewash products help remove pesticide residue. Follow the directions on the product label.
In general, washing in hot water removes more pesticide from the clothing. Avoid cold water washing! Although cold water washing might save energy, research has shown that cold water is relatively ineffective in removing pesticides from clothing.
Wash only one or two garments in a single load. Wash garments soiled by the same pesticides together.
Use the full water level even though you are washing only one or two garments at a time. This allows the water to thoroughly flush the fabric. if your washer has a sudsaver feature, do not use it for pesticide-soiled clothing.
Use the normal 12 to 14 minute wash cycle.
Most laundry detergents are similarly effective in removing pesticides from fabric if the pesticide isn't oil-based. Research has shown that heavy duty liquid detergents are more effective than other detergents in removing oil-based (emulsifiable concentrate) pesticide formulations. Heavy duty liquid detergents are known for their oil-removing ability.
Some research studies show that using 1-1/2 times the recommended amount of detergent is also helpful in removing pesticide residues.
If slightly toxic pesticides were used, the clothing may be effectively laundered in one machine washing. But if the pesticide was highly toxic or concentrated, wash the clothing at least several times. Remember, wear rubber gloves when handling soiled clothing to prevent pesticide exposure.
Bleach or ammonia don't remove pesticides from clothing. Never mix these two products, because they react together to form poisonous chlorine gas.
Small amounts of pesticides remain in the washing machine after the wash cycle is over, so it's important to rinse the washing machine with an empty load. Use hot water, the same detergent, and the same machine setting and cycle used for laundering the soiled clothing and run the machine through an extra cycle.
Line dry the clothes to keep from contaminating the dryer.
Wash hard hat, goggles, respirator, gloves and neoprene boots in hot soapy water after each use. If possible, remove the charcoal filter to avoid getting it wet. Store the clean articles away from where pesticides are stored.
REFERENCES
This document is from a series of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Publication date: April 1991.
Specialist-in-charge, Human Environment; Extension Clothing Specialist; North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More