Precautions for insecticides

[sarathy]

Can someone tell me the safety precautions needed to be taken while handling inseticides? Even though I use a mouth mask, the spray seems to bother me and gives me a headache. Will this a have pronounced effect in the long term? I am concerned

[PLUMBER RICK]

at least out here in the usa, the bottles are labeled with the safe handling and requirements for use and proper disposal.

you will want to look it up if you don't have it on the label.

if you post the pesticides name, i'm sure you will get a real answer.

rick.

[freddy]

I would use a good (not paper face mask ) respirator and long sleeve shirt and pants. gloves even handling the package. also eye googles, It may seem like over kill but, chemicals absorb into you skin and through eyes nose and mouth :)

[Bob D.]

You might want to visit the web site of the company that makes the chemical concoction and look for the MSDS sheet which will tell you what precautions to take, what first aid if you should swallow some, etc.

As Rick said, give us the name and we can be of more help.

[Gofor]

A paper face mask will not protect you from chemicals. You need to get a respirator with filters rated for the insecticide you are dealing with. As a minimum, you will need one with a charcoal filter and rated OV (organic vapors). This will probably protect from the solvent used to keep the insecticide liquid. However, OV will not protect against many nerve agents which are a component of many insecticides. As Bob D said: Get the MSDS and read it to see what protection is required. In the USA, the MSDS is required to be provided from the supplier of the chemicals or from your employer. Also realize that the blood vessels in your eyes will absorb 10 times the amount that can penetrate your skin, so a full-face respirator is probably required, as well as protective gloves and clothing to cover exposed skin.
Regardless, get the MSDS via the supplier or the internet, and find the right protection. I don't know what you are getting paid, but I would wager it's not enough to provide lifetime medical care for permanent nerve/brain damage.

Go

[BHD]

Some insecticides are relative harmless to people and some are nearly the equivalent of or are basically forms of nerve gasses,

look up the chemical names, on the net and see the precautions that are recommended,

usually some type of activated carbon filter would be recommended,

IN the USA there are two basic divisions of Pesticides, the open market ones and the restricted use ones, to use the restricted use ones one needs to study and pass a test put out by the EPA, (environmental protection agency) that covers the proper use and handling of the restricted use chemicals, and have an understanding of what the labels and the safe handing and use of the chemicals are, the re entry time and so on. and how lethal the chemicals are.

Just because a Pesticide is a general use Pesticide, yes it is probably safer than a restricted use Pesticide, but it is not "SAFE" there is still a danger involved to users and bystanders,
http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/pesticides/index.html
http://searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Dengue_a11.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG015
http://ehso.com/csspesticides/pesticidefactsheets.htm
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt8329ag.pdf

[sarathy]

Hey guys I'm back after a long time I guess. Well as some of u point out, there are no precautionary indications on the label. So, I am just about using a mask, long sleeve outfit and gloves. Anyways thanks a ton for your suggestions

[BHD]

what is the insecticides being used, or the chemicals in it? is that on the label?

[BAPlumber]

I've spent a number of years applying pesticides in both commercial and public areas, and have been licensed for both. If there is no information on the container that you are using, I would go to your doctor for advice.

[Bob D.]

FYI, I recently received this from OSHA. Might be worth bookmarking for future reference.

OSHA Develops Database of Chemical Information
OSHA recently launched a database of information on more than 800 chemicals commonly found in the workplace. The OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database (http://www.osha.gov/web/dep/chemicaldata/#target) allows users to quickly and easily retrieve information on chemicals such as their physical properties and exposure limits. The database compiles information from several government agencies and organizations, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Department of Transportation.