Managing exposure

If you or someone else has been exposed to pesticides, the quicker you get medical aid, the better. The wrong treatment may worsen a patient's condition. Read the advice on the pesticide label and material safety data sheets. Know how to get medical help and have a list of actions nearby, ready to be taken.

First Aid

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Before using a pesticide, read the label for advice on what to do in an emergency. The first aid section will tell you what to do if pesticide poisoning occurs.

Be aware of the symptoms of exposure.

Symptoms of pesticide exposure

Mild poisoning or early symptoms of acute poisoning	Moderate poisoning or early symptoms of acute poisoning	Severe or acute poisoning fever
headache fatigue weakness dizziness restlessness nervousness perspiration nausea diarrhoea loss of appetite loss of weight thirst moodiness soreness in joints skin irritation eye irritation irritation of the nose and throat	nausea diarrhoea excessive saliva stomach cramps, excessive perspiration, trembling no muscle coordination, muscle twitches extreme weakness, fatigue nervous distress mental confusion blurred vision difficulty in breathing, cough rapid pulse flushed or yellow skin, weeping vomiting constricted pupils of eyes	convulsions fever inability to breathe increased rate of breathing intense thirst pinpoint pupils uncontrollable muscle twitches vomiting unconsciousness

Prepare an action list

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Prepare a "pesticide exposure action list" so that you know what to do and who to call. Here are some ideas but also check the web pages listed below for more advice.

If you are poisoned:

stop work
get away from the source of poisoning
get medical help at once.

To help a poisoned person

Put on PPE to avoid becoming contaminated yourself. You will need a respirator if the victim is in a closed space.

Stop the victim from continuing to work.
Move the victim away from the source, to a place that is well aired.
Get medical help.
Check the first aid section on the label (or material safety data sheets) for next steps.
Ring the emergency telephone number on the pesticide label.

Warn those around you of the risks in the area and ask them to be ready to help you if needed.

Remove the victim's contaminated PPE and clothing.

Wash contaminated skin and hair with clean water and soap. If eyes are contaminated then keep the eyes open and gently flush them for 15 minutes with clean water. Direct the water into eye at the outer edge so that the water runs towards the nose.

If the victim is unconscious: Check his breathing and pulse and put him in the recovery position. If there are no signs of breathing, or pulse, then begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR].

Keep the victim at rest and warm in the shade away from direct sunlight. Do not allow the person to smoke or drink.

Note what you saw at the scene. You may be asked by medical staff and others for facts that will help them identify the best treatment.

Symptoms [e.g. headaches] are what the operator may report to you.
Signs [e.g. vomiting] are what you can see is happening to the operator.

Tell the medical staff, the name of the pesticide. Give them a copy of the product label[s] and material safety data sheet[s] (MSDS).

Report the event and if you can, use photos to help show what has happened and how. In some countries, safety authorities will require this information by law.

Read more about the 'symptoms of pesticide poisoning' from www.extension.org.

Sources

Code of practice for using plant protection products. Emergency procedures and action plans (417KB pdf)

Pesticides: Health and Safety. Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings

Pesticides - Harmful Effects and Emergency Response (106 KB pdf)

Managing exposure

First Aid add remove

Prepare an action list add remove

First Aid

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Prepare an action list

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