Protective Apparel for Agricultural Mixers, Loaders and Applicators

There are hundreds of agricultural chemicals on the market today. They vary in their content of active ingredients, solvents, carriers and other inerts. There are also variations in formulations, such as powders, liquids, granules and dry flowables. All have varying degrees of toxicity, as indicated by the precautionary statement. As a result of these varied pesticide offerings, a growing concern in the agricultural industry continues for the safe use and handling of these products. Even highly toxic agricultural chemicals can be safe to use, if we suit up for safety.
 

There are basically four designated routes of exposure for pesticides to enter into the body: eye, mouth, nose and skin. Since protective apparel is our subject of discussion, skin or dermal protection will be our focus of protection.

Choosing a Protective Barrier

Protective apparel barriers have been around for many years, providing varying degrees of dermal protection and comfort. As the toxicity of chemicals increased, the functionality of barriers became more focused or chemically segmented and we began to see protective apparel barriers being separated as either reusable or limited use/disposable.

Reusable garments are usually made of materials designed to protect workers from hazardous chemicals encountered in the work place, such as chemical/manufacturing plants, and are job application specific. Such barriers may be constructed of butyl, nitrile, neoprene, Viton®, NOMEX®, and Teflon®, just to name a few. Garments constructed of these materials are very durable, and usually gas tight. In most instances they are not very comfortable, weighing as much as five to eight pounds. Needless to say they are very expensive, with prices ranging upwards of many thousands of dollars. Reusable garments that come in contact with chemicals must be properly decontaminated and this is usually done by an industrial laundry with the expertise to remove the chemical and properly dispose of the rinsate.

Limited-use Protective Apparel

Disposable or limited use garments have seen rapid expansion during the last four to five years as light weight nonwoven materials were introduced along with new chemical-resistant multilayer composite films. These barriers provide excellent protection from toxic dry particulates, biohazards, liquid chemical spills as well as hazardous waste.
 

It should be noted that not all barrier fabrics provide the same level of protection over the same period of time. To provide protection against specific target chemicals, users of protective apparel should become familiar with chemical permeation data. This information, which is usually made available from the fabric manufacturer, will indicate breakthrough time and permeation rate for a specific chemical on their fabric. Permeation test methods should follow standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F739). Fabric physical property data is also available and important since it provides information on breaking strength, tear, and tensile using standard ASTM test methods .
 

Limited use garments made of nonwoven material have shown excellent barrier, durability and good comfort. Garments which become contaminated should be disposed of in accordance with federal, state or local regulations and in no instances should the user try to decontaminate the garment.

Design and Construction

Good design and construction will reduce rips in fabric or seams, provide flexibility, ease of movement and improved protection. Working around agricultural equipment, aircraft or just handling chemical containers requires a high degree of motions. As a result of such action, many protective garments have been found to rip in such high stress areas as the crotch, shoulders, back, seat and under the arms. In most instances this problem can be eliminated by carefully ordering correct sizes. This is much safer than using a small garment with exposed skin. To ensure proper sizing standards, users of protective apparel should look for the American National Standards Institute logo* (ANSI/ISEA 101-1993) on all packaging. Choosing proper seam construction can also enhance the longevity of a garment.
*ANSI logo will not appear on Tychem® QC or Tychem® SL garments, only Tyvek®.
 

All disposable coveralls should be designed with the least number of fabric sections possible (to reduce seam exposure), a zipper front, collar, long sleeves with elastic wrists and ankles. Where liquid application protection is needed, a storm flap with tape closure is recommended to protect the zipper interlock. Where chemical resistant aprons are used, they should also be constructed with the least amount of seam exposure and drape long in the front in order to reach below the top of rubber work boots.

Worker Protection Standards

Pesticides used in agriculture have varying degrees of toxicity, with signal words indicating CAUTION, WARNING or DANGER. Protecting the mixer, loader and applicator from dermal contact with pesticides, especially insecticides, has met with varying degrees of success over the years. In most instances, protective apparel available to agriculture was initially designed for hazmat or chemical spill application and was a full body suit construction. Needless to say this was very uncomfortable, especially during the spring or summer application season.
 

The final revisions presented last summer by EPA, 40 CFR Parts 156 and 170 expand the scope of the worker protection standard to include not only workers performing hand labor operations in fields treated with pesticides, but also employees in forests, nurseries, greenhouses, and employees who handle (mix, load and apply) pesticides for use in these locations. The regulations expand requirements for warnings about applications, use of personal protective equipment, and restrictions on entry to treated areas. It also adds new provisions for decontamination, emergency assistance, contact with handlers of highly toxic pesticides and pesticide training.

Final Personal Protective Equipment Rule for Mixer, Loaders and Applicators

The Agency will require either a chemical resistant protective suit or a coverall worn over a long-sleeved shirt and long pants when handling pesticides classified as toxicity category I. For handling pesticides classified in toxicity category II for dermal toxicity or skin irritation, a chemical-resistant protective suit or coveralls worn over a layer of clothing that covers the trunk area is specified.
 

It is very important to note that the Agency does not consider a coverall without an additional layer of clothing (barrier) to be protective for pesticides with an acute dermal toxicity value in toxicity category I or II. The Agency has determined that long pants, a long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks for handlers of pesticides in toxicity categories III and IV are adequate to protect handlers of these pesticides.

EPA 40 CFR Final Rule

for Mixer, Loader and Applicator
 

Category I Pesticides: