Pesticides and skin safety
THE term “pesticide” covers a range of materials used on crops and other plant life to control insects and pests that may hamper plant growth and development.
Pesticides include insecticides and fungicides. Insecticides are substances comprising of chemicals used to kill insects. Fungicides are substances that destroy or inhibit the growth and development of fungi.
Pesticides cannot be smelt by humans or seen by the naked human eye, which means they are often transferred onto unintended surfaces. Pesticides often contaminate clothing and then are easily wiped off onto other surfaces, including the skin. Precautions are thus fundamental when handling pesticides and pesticide contaminated equipment.
Pesticides can cause a range of skin diseases such as dermatitis, rashes and burns. However skin disease is not the only worry. Pesticides may be absorbed into our body, via the skin, entering the blood stream. Absorption into the body can lead to damage to our nervous system, endocrine system or even systemic poisoning which can lead to death.
They can also cause variety of fatal diseases such as cancer or can even cause asthma and hormone disruption. Hormone disruption can further lead to reduced sperm counts and infertility. Pesticides can also burn eyes causing temporary or permanent blindness.
In an independent study researchers analysed 55,332 farmers and nursery employees who worked with pesticides. It was found that the employees studied had an unusually high risk of prostate cancer, likely due to their use of certain pesticides.
At least 80% of total body exposure to chemicals occurs through the hands. If workers were asked to work barefoot they would most likely refuse, but many work barehanded in conditions which can seriously damage their health. Hand protection is required when handling undiluted or diluted pesticides, unopened or empty pesticide containers or contaminated clothing, equipment and other materials.
Contaminated hands should never be placed in gloves and pesticide users should never wear leather, fabric, or fabric-lined gloves. Gloves should extend at least to the mid-forearm and shoulder-length gloves and chemical resistant sleeve guards should be considered when mixing and loading pesticides. It is important not to reuse the same pair of gloves frequently and users should select the right glove polymer, construction and features.
Ansell has developed an interactive chemical handling website, Ansell Chemsafe, which confirms the most suitable glove for the chemical being handled. It provides this information for over 150 different chemicals at www.ansellchemsafe.com.
Ansell has also developed an educational booklet on agricultural chemical protection. Other free “skin” booklets are also available that focus on general hand and chemical protection.
Ansell 1800 337 041.
17-Aug-2006