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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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Cleaning Pesticide Contaminated Clothing |
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Related to pesticide safety, we often overlook proper laundering of pesticide-contaminated clothing. Everyone, from the certified pesticide-applicator to the weekend gardener to the family launderer, should learn and use appropriate washing procedures. High toxicity levels and increased exposure can generally be counteracted by multiple washings, but shoes and garments that have been saturated with highly toxic or concentrated pesticides should be buried or burned according to the pesticide manufacturer’s instructions. If such a situation is anticipated, you should wear disposable protective clothing (available at local farm supply stores). Most pesticide-contaminated clothing can be laundered and reused. The launderer should wear waterproof gloves which are replaced periodically. Cleaning procedures should start immediately after pesticide use. Follow these seven steps for the rapid removal of the chemicals. First, clothes should be hung outdoors to air prior to washing. This allows some chemical breakdown before the clothing enters the home. Secondly, pre-rinse. Garments may be hosed off outdoors, rinsed in a tub or pail kept for that purpose, or agitated in the automatic washer. Choose the method that best suits your facilities, but remember that outdoor methods lessen the risk of indoor contamination. And third, pre-treat. Heavily contaminated or heavily soiled garments should be pre-treated with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Research shows that pesticide residues are more difficult to remove if combined with soil. Heavy-duty liquid detergents are most effective in removing oil-based pesticide formulations. In the washing machine, pesticides can transfer from contaminated garments to uncontaminated garments so clothing worn when applying pesticides MUST be washed SEPARATELY from the family wash. Use at least two full warm rinses. After washing your clothing, line drying is recommended because some of the chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and because this eliminates the possibility of pesticide residues collecting in the dryer. Finally, clean your washing machine. Pesticides that remain in the washer may be transferred to the next load of clothing. Thus, it is important to run a complete, but empty, wash cycle, using hot water and detergent after washing pesticide-contaminated clothing. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
