830-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, June 1,1985 NEWARK, DE - Farmers should take special precautions to protect themselves against ac cidental pesticide exposure-a very real danger at this tune of year. When inexperienced workers or new chemicals are involved, the potential for accidents is even greater unless farmers provide training and insist employees heed label directions. The following incident, described in the January- February, 1985, issue of Farmsafe (a magazine published by the Canadian Farm Safety Association), shows what happens all too often when proper precautions are not followed and safety equipment is not used when Expert tells how to avoid pesticide poisoning handling pesticides: Joe’s mouth tasted like floor wax. The six-day stretch of good weather had helped him get most of his corn into the ground. It had also left him hot, dusty and tired. “This fill should do it,” he muttered to himself as he topped off the seed in his planter’s central hopper. Joe’s head and back ached as lie reached for an envelope of seed protectant powder. He ripped open the top of the package and began to empty its contents into the seed hopper. How many times had he done this over the past week? Joe had lost count by now, but the pink powder on his hands said, “Plenty.” A sudden gust of wind blew a cloud of insecticide back into Joe’s face. As he coughed and spat out the minute quantities of the wretched-tasting material that had entered his mouth, Joe was overcome by nausea and dizziness. He scraped his shin as he slipped off the planter and sank to the ground. The report goes on to describe the progressive symptoms of pesticide poisoning that developed before Joe’s wife realized something was dangerously wrong and got him to an emergency room. Joe was one of the lucky ones. He remained weak after the emergency treatment but was back to normal in a few days. It had been a close call. 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POULTRY AND GRAIN AGR»“ RD 4, East Farmersville Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522 (Lancaster County) “It is true that small, repeated doses of pesticide can hurt you,” sayd University of Delaware ex tension farm safety specialist Ron Jester. “The end result can be just as devastating as exposure to a lot of it at once.” In fact, the greatest risk occurs with a combination of acute and chronic exposure. For this reason, he advises farmers to treat all pesticides as poisons and protect themselves from ac cidental exposure. This means wearing personal protective equipment. Pesticide certification manuals contain guidelines for this protection based on the toxicity of the chemical being used. The specialist urges fanners to follow these recom mendations. For the lowest level of toxicity, long-legged trousers and long sleeved shirts are required. Since disposable clothing eliminates possible contamination from laundering, Jester advises wearing it when using pesticides. Gloves are also standard equip ment. A cartridge or canister respirator is required if the label precautionary statement says, “Do not breathe vapors or spray mists,” or “Poisonous if inhaled.” Other safety equipment, in cluding goggles, rubber boots and a wide-brimmed hat may also be recommended. When wearing personal protective equipment, such as a respirator, make sure it is certified 7 KEENER RD. f LITITZ, PA. 17543 PH: (717) 626-5204 EQUIPMENT,.nc (717) 354-6520 and designed for chemical ap plication. Proper fit is also essential, as is maintenance, so that equipment continues to provide the protection needed. “Know how to recognize the symptoms of pesticide poisoning so that you can take proper action in case of an emergency,” the safety specialist advises. “Symptoms may be common to many kinds of illnesses-headache, general feeling of being unwell, weakness, nervousness, nausea, In fact, poisoning may be so mild it can scarcely be detected and isn’t even suspected. For your safety, you must be able to respond quickly if you or any of your employees experience these or other symp toms while at work, or later in the day.” Do not wait until a victim becomes dangerously ill before calling a doctor or going to a hospital. It’s much better to be cautious than too late. Be sure to take along the pesticide container or label. “Accidental pesticide exposure occurs far too often on the farm, and may result in poisoning,” Jester says. “For everyone’s sake, read labels, heed precautions, wear personal protection equip ment, and always store pesticides out of reach of children. The tune spent taking such precautions is one of the smartest investments you can make as a farmer-for the sake of your own safety and health, your business and your family. ’ ’ BACKHOE SERVICE INSTALLATION WATER Choose among eight easy to-install smoke and odor controlled models. You even have the option of burning gas of oil. 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