Who is at Risk for Exposure to Pesticides and Chemicals?

Used to destroy or prevent unwanted insects, plants and other pests, pesticides, and other farm chemicals can be extremely dangerous. Workers who handle pesticides must be trained! Unfortunately, you don’t have to work directly with these chemicals to be at risk for exposure:

• Pesticide Handlers — Workers who mix, load, or apply pesticides are at risk for spills and splashes, direct spray, or drift. Ensuring all personal protective equipment is used, careful attention to hand washing, and avoiding eating or drinking areas where chemicals or pesticides are being stored or handled is vital. There should be easy access to water for hand washing and decontamination.
• Agricultural Workers — Field workers and harvesters not directly involved in the handling of pesticides can be exposed as a result of direct spray, breathing in drift from adjoining fields, or coming in contact with pesticide residue on the crop or soil.
• Family members — Farmworkers can bring home pesticide residue on their clothing and shoes, leading to an exposure risk for their family.
• Community members — If pesticides aren’t managed appropriately, the community can be exposed as a result of drift or ground water contamination.