Iowa Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

When should disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) be discarded?

1. When they become old and worn

2. When they become contaminated with pesticides

3. After each use

4. Only if damaged

The correct answer is: When they become contaminated with pesticides

Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) should be discarded when they become contaminated with pesticides because this ensures that any harmful substances do not pose a risk to the wearer or others. Disposable PPE is designed for single use and is not meant to be cleaned or reused after being exposed to hazardous materials. Contaminated equipment can facilitate the transfer of pesticides to the skin or clothing of the user, potentially leading to health risks. While it is certainly important to consider the age and condition of the PPE, as well as any physical damage, these factors alone do not necessitate immediate disposal if the equipment has not been contaminated. Discarding PPE after each use might lead to unnecessary waste if the equipment is unused and still intact. Thus, the critical factor in determining when to discard disposable PPE is the presence of pesticide contamination.