Iowa Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What should you do first if someone is exposed to pesticides?

1. Apply ointment to the affected area

2. Remove all contaminated clothing

3. Immediately transport them to the hospital

4. Cover the area with bandages

The correct answer is: Remove all contaminated clothing

When addressing pesticide exposure, the foremost step is to remove all contaminated clothing. This action is critical because clothing can retain pesticide residues, which may continue to cause skin irritation or systemic toxicity even after the initial exposure. By removing these garments, you effectively decrease the potential for further harm and limit the amount of pesticide that can enter the body, particularly through the skin. After removing contaminated clothing, the individual should be rinsed with water to cleanse the skin of any pesticide residues. Following this, it's important to seek medical assistance, especially if symptoms of poisoning are present. While applying ointment or covering the area with bandages might seem beneficial, these actions could inadvertently trap the pesticide on the skin or inhibit the washing away of the harmful substance. Transporting someone to the hospital may also be necessary, but it should follow the immediate removal of contaminated clothing for effective decontamination.