Safety
31
Drying
•
line dry to prevent contamination of dryer
and increase the chemical breakdown of
pesticide residues
Washing other equipment
•
wash other equipment daily in hot soapy water: hard
hat, goggles, apron, gloves, boots and respirator
(
avoid getting charcoal wet; remove if possible)
Specific Cleaning Procedures
for Pesticides
The standard washing procedure mentioned above
reduces pesticides from contaminated clothing, but
new research is gradually identifying more specific
washing procedures to further reduce the residues on
contaminated clothing or equipment. Note that each
product requires unique washing procedures, and
more testing is required for those that still have high
residues remaining. Refer to the guide below:
Recommendations
1. 18
per cent residue is an unacceptable level. For
better protection, choose a disposable coverall
and discard after use.
2.
Soak contaminated clothing in undiluted
limonene for required time. (Examples of this
product are Odor Crush or Citra-Solv.).
3.
Pre-treat contaminated clothing before washing,
let soak.
4.
Fill 70 L washing machine with warm water
(50
°C); add 280 mL of chlorine bleach. Soak
for required time. (Note: loss of strength and
colour results from bleach soak, more so for
cotton than for cotton/polyester blends)
Note: Acceptable levels of residue remaining –
less than 3 per cent.
For further information on protective
clothing for pesticide use, contact the Alberta
Ag-Info Centre toll-free at 310-FARM (3276) or
1-866-882-7677.
Product
Suggested washing procedure
%
Residue remaining
2,4-
D (amine)
One wash
<1%
2,4-
D (ester)
1/2
hour Limonene soak (2) (degreaser), one wash
18% (1)
Captan
One wash
1%
Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban, Dursban, Pyrinex)
3
hour bleach soak (4), one wash
<1%
Diazinon
Hot wash (60°C) or Spray’n Wash soak, one wash
1%
Iprodione (Rovral)
One wash
1%
Malathion (diluted)
Two washes
3%
Triallate (Avadex)
Spray’n Wash soak (3), two washes
18% (1)
Any concentrated pesticides
Discard
Too high
Source:
Effective Pesticide Decontamination Procedures for Clothing, Equipment and Spills
,
Research Project Report
,
University of
Alberta, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Heritage Grant Program, 1994.