Q. What is a pesticide?
A. Pesticides are specially-designed chemical agents used to control, repel, or kill specific pests. Pests may cause harm to other humans, destroy crops, and/or compete for food and space. Many insects are considered pests.
Q. Who are exposed to pesticides?
A. Often, agricultural workers are exposed to pesticide exposure. According to the EPA, there are approximately 10,000-20,000 reports of pesticide poisoning of agricultural workers each year.
Q. What are the health effects of pesticide exposure?
A. Pesticide exposure may be harmful to humans or animals. Some of the symptoms of pesticide exposure are:
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Skin and eye pain
Some of the long-term exposure effects are:
• Respiratory damage
• Neurological damage
• Dermatologic damage
• Reproductive damage
Q. What is pesticide testing?
A. Pesticide testing is the process in which tests are performed in a specific area to ensure no chemical residue lingers in an area where employees work.
Q. How can Examinetics help with pesticide exposure?
A. The best service Examinetics offers for pesticide exposures is through HAZMAT exposure exams, which ensures the worker’s safety while working around hazardous material. The exams include:
• Physician’s exams
• Clinical tests
• Laboratory analysis
• Medical clearances
• Proper forms and documentation
Essential Links
- US EPA
US Environmental Protection Agency – pesticides - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NIOSH Topic: Pesticides - Business Owner Briefing
US EPA paper: How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides – What Employers Need to Know
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