(3) Any pesticide that has become obsolete, has deteriorated, or whose
container has corroded to the extent that continued storage is hazardous should be
removed from stocks and disposed of in accordance with instructions from the major
command concerned.
3-7.
PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING PESTICIDES
The handling of concentrates in the preparation of more dilute solutions is one of
the most hazardous operations. Contamination of the skin with high concentrate
material can result in rapid poisoning and death. Maximum precautions must be
observed in handling concentrates.
a. Safety Precautions. Operators who are exposed to fumes, vapors, dusts,
or mists of pesticides may suffer illness as a result of prolonged contact. It is equally as
important to protect the operator continually exposed to dilute pesticides as it is to
protect the operator occasionally exposed to concentrated pesticides. The following are
some of the primary precautions that must be observed in handling pesticides.
(1) The first, and most important, step in mixing or handling a pesticide is
to read and follow the instructions on the label. This point cannot be overemphasized.
Never use a pesticide that does not have a label. Figure 2-5 illustrates a typical
standard military pesticide label and the information included on it.
(2) No smoking or eating should be permitted while insecticides are being
handled. This precaution is necessary to prevent both fire and hand-to-mouth
contamination.
(3) All pesticides should be handled in well-ventilated areas or outdoors to
minimize inhalation.
(4) Shower and washing facilities must be available near pesticide-mixing
areas.
(5) Any contamination of the skin, particularly with liquid concentrates or
solutions, must be immediately washed off with detergent and water. The protection
provided by frequent rinsing of the skin during pesticide application is even more
effective than the use of protective clothing, and both are at least as important as the
use of respirators.
(6) Clothing contaminated by spillage should be immediately removed and
thoroughly laundered before wearing. Special care is required to prevent contamination
of the inside of gloves.
(7) Clothing of operators should not be worn during other than duty
performance and should be laundered frequently to limit contamination.
MD0173
3-8