First Aid for Pesticide Poisoning

Reviewed by J. Ward Donavon, medical director of Pinnacle-Health Toxicology Center, Harrisburg Hospital

Immediate and appropriate action, such as providing first aid, may be necessary to prevent serious injury to a victim of pesticide poisoning. The situation can be a life-or-death matter. The product label should be one of the first sources of information in a pesticide exposure emergency, in addition to calling the National Poison Center (1-800–222-1222) and 911. First aid is only the "first response" and is not a substitute for professional medical help.

General First Aid Instructions

  • Most important, be sure to protect yourself by wearing appropriate protective clothing and equipment if there is a likelihood of being directly exposed to a pesticide while administering first aid or removing the victim from an enclosed area.
  • Have current labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available.
  • Have emergency response telephone numbers readily available.
  • Assemble a first aid kit with necessary supplies.
  • Always have a source of clean water available. In an extreme emergency, even water from a farm pond, clean water irrigation system, or watering trough could be used to dilute the pesticide.
  • If oral or dermal exposure has occurred, the first objective is usually to dilute the pesticide and prevent absorption.
  • If inhalation exposure occurs, first protect yourself, and then get the victim to fresh air immediately.
  • Never give anything orally to an unconscious person.
  • Become familiar with the proper techniques of artificial respiration; it may be necessary if a person's breathing has stopped or become impaired.


Specific First Aid Instructions
If the victim IS NOT breathing:
FIRST--Evaluate the surroundings of the victim. Protect yourself from pesticide exposure prior to and while giving assistance.
SECOND--Administer artificial respiration and call 911.
THIRD--Call National Poison Center (1-800-222-1222).
FOURTH--Decontaminate the victim immediately; wash thoroughly and quickly. Speed is essential.

If the victim IS breathing:
FIRST--Evaluate the surroundings of the victim. Protect yourself from pesticide exposure prior to and while giving assistance.
SECOND--Decontaminate the victim immediately; wash thoroughly and quickly. Speed is essential.
THIRD--Call 911 if the victim has ill effects from the exposure.
FOURTH--Call the National Poison Center (1-800-222-1222).

If the pesticide has been spilled on the skin or clothing, remove any contaminated clothing immediately and thoroughly wash the skin with soap and water. Avoid harsh scrubbing, as this enhances pesticide absorption. Rinse the affected area with water, wash again, and rinse. Gently dry the affected area and wrap it in a loose cloth or blanket, if necessary. If chemical burns of the skin have occurred, cover the area loosely with a clean, soft cloth. Avoid the use of ointments, greases, powders, and other medications unless instructed by medical personnel.

Heavily contaminated clothing should be disposed of properly. If clothing is not heavily soiled, wash all contaminated clothing separately from any other laundry in hot water, at a high water level, and with a heavy duty liquid detergent. Run the washer through a complete cycle with detergent and no clothes to remove pesticide residue before another wash. Store washed protective clothing separately from other clothes. Also, do not store protective clothing and equipment in pesticide storage areas.

If the pesticide has entered into the eyes, hold the eyelid open and immediately begin gently washing the eye with clean running water. Do not use chemicals or drugs in the eye wash water. Continue washing for 15 minutes. If only one eye is involved, avoid contaminating the other one. Flush under the eyelids with water to remove debris. Cover the eye with a clean piece of cloth and seek medical attention immediately. If contact lenses are worn, remove and discard the contacts, then wash the eyes as described above.

If the pesticide has been inhaled, get the victim to fresh air immediately. However, do not attempt to rescue someone who is in an enclosed area unless you are wearing appropriate protective equipment. Have the victim lie down and loosen their clothing. Keep the victim warm and quiet. If the victim is convulsing, watch their breathing and protect their head. Keep the chin up to keep air passages free for breathing. If breathing stops, administer artificial respiration and call 911. Call the National Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) after the victim is stabilized for further advice.

If the pesticide has been swallowed, contact the National Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) and provide them with the name and approximate amount of material that was ingested. Call 911 immediately if the victim has symptoms from the exposure. If the pesticide has entered the mouth but has not been swallowed, rinse the mouth with large amounts of water. Inducing vomiting is rarely advised for any poisoning, including pesticide poisonings.

If a petroleum product (kerosene, gasoline, oil, lighter fluid, EC pesticides) has been swallowed, call the National Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) and 911 immediately for further instruction.

If a corrosive poison (a strong acid or alkali) has been swallowed, dilute with water or milk immediately. Consult the National Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) and 911 immediately. The victim may experience severe pain and have extensive mouth and throat burns. Fortunately, most commonly used pesticides are not corrosive, but some household disinfectants and germicides fall into this category.

Safe Storage of Pesticides

  • Read the label for specific storage instructions and precautions.
  • Store pesticides in a clean, cool, dry, and well-ventilated building. Always lock the area to prevent entry by children and untrained persons. Mark the storage facility with an appropriate warning sign.
  • Maintain proper temperature control. For example, if emulsion-type materials freeze, the emulsion may be destroyed, resulting in loss of effectiveness and possible serious plant injury.
  • To avoid the danger of cross-contamination, do not store herbicides with other pesticides.
  • Keep dry materials above liquid materials.
  • Do not store pesticides where food, water, feed, seeds, fertilizers, or personal protective clothing and equipment (such as respirators) can become contaminated.
  • Store pesticides in their original containers. Never store pesticides in any food or drink containers.
  • Do not remove the labels.
  • Keep lids tightly closed.
  • Check containers frequently for leaks.
  • Clean up spilled chemicals promptly and properly. Dispose of broken or damaged containers and any pesticide waste in an approved and safe manner as directed on the product label.
  • Keep an inventory of all chemicals. Mark each container with the year of purchase.
  • Inform your local fire department of any chemicals (including fertilizers) stored in large quantity.


Safe Disposal of Pesticides

  • Read the pesticide label for specific disposal instructions.
  • Avoid disposal problems by purchasing only the amount of material needed for one growing season. Do not stockpile.
  • Use proper personal protective clothing and equipment when you dispose of pesticide wastes and containers.
  • Mix only the amount of pesticide required for a particular application. If you mix too much, use the surplus by applying the material at the recommended rate to one of the crops listed on the label.
  • Do not dump pesticides or pesticide rinsates on the ground or pour them down sinks, toilets, or other drains, including storm sewers.
  • Pressure rinse or triple rinse empty pesticide containers with water and pour the rinse water into the spray tank. Drain 30 seconds each time.
  • After rinsing metal, plastic, or glass containers, puncture, break, crush, or in some way render unusable. Recycle plastic containers through the Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). Contact your regional PDA office for further information. Disposal in a sanitary landfill is desirable if conducted in accordance with local regulations.
  • If stated on the label and permitted by local ordinances, combustible containers can be burned. However, do not burn pesticide containers near residential areas or where the smoke can contact humans. Avoid exposure to the smoke; it may contain toxic vapors. Bury the ashes since they also may be toxic.
  • Send large metal drums to a reconditioning company.
  • Before disposing of pesticides, check with PDA's CHEMSWEEP Program, which provides disposal options for unwanted and outdated pesticides free of charge.
  • Do not reuse empty pesticide containers for any purpose.
  • Clean up thoroughly after handling and disposing of pesticides.


Current Status of Restricted-Use Pesticides in Pennsylvania
Under the authority of the amended Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973 and the amended Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), applicators who apply restricted-use pesticides (RUP) in the production of an agricultural crop must be certified as a private applicator or must work under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Furthermore, only certified applicators can purchase restricted-use pesticides. The pesticide dealer is required by law to record the name, address, and certification number of the purchaser of RUPs, as well as the identity of the product, amount sold, and date of purchase. Commercial and public pesticide applicators must be certified to use both general and restricted-use products. The official list of Pennsylvania's RUPs includes all pesticide products designated as restricted-use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and, in the interest of the public health and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth, any other product designated for restricted-use by the Secretary of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If a pesticide is restricted use it will be clearly marked on the label.

Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides
In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its Worker Protection Standard (WPS), which addresses the protection of agricultural workers from pesticide exposure (40 CFR Part 170). The WPS includes requirements designed to reduce the risks of illness or injury to agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from occupational or accidental exposure to pesticides in the production of agricultural plants on farms and in nurseries, greenhouses, and forests.

The WPS expands the scope of prior worker protection regulations to identify two types of agricultural employees:
pesticide handlers--those who handle agricultural pesticides (mix, load, apply, clean or repair contaminated equipment, act as flaggers, etc.)
agricultural workers--those who perform tasks related to the cultivation and harvesting of plants on farms or in greenhouses, nurseries, or forests where pesticides are used

The WPS holds growers/employers responsible for compliance. The regulations expand requirements for the employer to make sure that employees are provided with the following:

  • warnings about pesticide applications
  • clean and properly maintained personal protective equipment (PPE), which employers must ensure is used
  • restrictions on reentry by personnel to treated areas (all pesticides used on farms and in forests, nurseries, and greenhouses have specific restricted-entry intervals (REI's) that are listed on the label under the "Agricultural Use Requirements" section)
  • decontamination facilities
  • pesticide safety training and information
  • notification of pesticide applications and information about the pesticide(s) used
  • maintained contact with handlers when applying highly toxic pesticides
  • emergency assistance when required
  • a pesticide safety poster placed in an area where it can be seen easily by all workers and handlers
  • information about pesticide label safety for pesticide handlers and early entry workers
  • a centrally located listing of recent pesticide applications on the premises


Under WPS, labels now include statements specifying personal protective equipment, restricted-entry intervals (REIs), and (on some pesticide labels) a requirement to provide both oral warnings and posting of treated areas.

EPA developed these regulations with the non-English-speaking worker specifically in mind. Safety warnings, information, and training must be given in "a manner the worker can understand."

The pesticide safety fact sheet EPA Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides describes these requirements in some detail. It is available from the Publications Distribution Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 112 Agricultural Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802; phone 814-865-6713, or online from the Pesticide Education Web site.

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