Pesticide Penetration

The state of the chemical, i.e., solid, liquid, or gas, affects the chances of pesticide penetration into the body. Liquids or gasses can get into the body through all three routes, whereas solids tend to have a lower chance of entry through the lungs. However, if solid particles are small enough or if they remain on the skin long enough, penetration into the body can take place in the same ways to those of liquids or gasses. The most common route by which pesticide users are poisoned is absorption through the skin. Dermal absorption may occur as a result of splashes and spills when mixing, loading or disposing of pesticides. To a minor degree, it may result from exposure to large amounts of residue. The degree of hazard by dermal absorption
The rapid absorption of pesticides through this specific route increases the hazard of respiratory exposure. The greatest potential for poisoning via respiratory exposure is with vapors and extremely fine particles of the spray solution. Pesticide exposure is usually low when dilute sprays are applied with common conventional spraying equipment because larger droplet sizes are produced. By contrast, when low volume equipment is used to apply concentrated material, the potential for a respiratory exposure is increased because smaller droplets are being produced. Pesticide application in confined areas (e.g. greenhouses) also contributes to increased potential for exposure through inhalation. Respirators and gas masks can provide protection from respiratory exposure. Eyes are particularly sensitive to absorption, and therefore any contact of pesticides with the eye presents an immediate threat of injury, blindness, or even death. Eye protection is always a prerequisite when measuring or mixing concentrated and toxic pesticides. Proper protection of the eyes also should be used when there is a chance of exposure to the diluted spray or dusts that may drift into the eyes. Pesticides in a granular formulation may also present a hazard to the eyes due to the size and weight of the individual particles. If applied with power equipment, particles may bounce off vegetation and cause significant eye injury as well as poisoning to an applicator if struck in sensitive body areas (i.e. the eye). Therefore, protective goggles should be used whenever there is possibility of pesticides coming into contact with the