Ch.7: Pesticide Exposure and Heat Stress

2. Label & SDS — Read BEFORE Use

The label and SDS give you:

• A list of symptoms to help you recognize and respond quickly.
• Emergency contact numbers for doctors and first responders.
• General and specific first aid measures.

3. Know When to Act

• Not all exposures are obvious. Play it safe: assume any symptoms you feel while or soon after working are caused by the pesticide.
• If you don't feel well, stop and leave the treated area immediately.
• If exposure occurs (3 steps):

1. Separate the victim from the source (remove contaminated clothing; move to fresh air if in an enclosed space).
2. Provide first aid.
3. Seek medical attention if needed.

4. Seeking Medical Attention

• First aid is the first response — NOT a substitute for professional medical help.
• Seek medical advice whenever someone: shows illness during/after working with pesticides or in a treated area; has swallowed a pesticide; has gotten pesticide in the eyes; or shows symptoms of poisoning/injury.
• Call for help immediately; if alone with the victim, first get them out of the exposure situation, then accompany them to the medical facility.
• Give the physician/first responder a clean (uncontaminated) copy of the label. If you don't have one, give the EPA Registration Number.

5. Where to Get Help

• Poison Control Center: (800) 222-1222 — call any hour; the national number routes automatically to a local Poison Center; free and confidential.
• Post numbers by each phone / save them in your cell phone; make sure everyone on the job knows what to do.
• Save Poison Control's info: text poison to 484848 or download the vcard from poison.org.

6. First Aid — General

• Read the label's first aid statements before handling; learn first aid ahead of time (no time to look it up in an emergency).
• Call 911 if the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or having convulsions.
• Then check the label and call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222.

7. Route-Specific First Aid

• First aid stabilizes the person until treatment advice or professional help arrives; it prevents further injury but doesn't replace skilled medical care.

8. Heat Stress — What It Is

• Heat stress = buildup of body heat from your working muscles PLUS a warm/hot environment.
• Severe heat stress = heatstroke = life-threatening.
• Pesticides don't cause heat stress, but PPE can INCREASE the risk — and heat-stress symptoms can be confused with pesticide poisoning.

9. What Heat Stress Does (temperature thresholds)

• Overheating sends less blood to muscles, brain, and organs → weaker, tire sooner, less alert, poorer judgment.
• Temperature and heart rate rise rapidly and without pain, so you may not notice.
• +2°F rise → ability to reason is impaired.
• +5°F rise → can be life-threatening.
• 105°F or more → heat stroke (most serious stage); brain damage or death without rapid cooling.
• More than 10% of severe heat stress victims die, including young, healthy adults; some stay heat-sensitive for months.

10. Heat Stress Symptoms

• Fatigue (exhaustion, muscle weakness); dizziness and fainting.
• Clammy skin OR hot, dry skin.
• Altered behavior — confusion, slurred speech, quarrelsome, irrational.
• Headache, nausea, chills; severe thirst and dry mouth.
• Heavy sweating OR a complete lack of sweating.
• Pinpoint pupils are POISONING, not heat stress.

11. Preventing Heat Stress

• Manage the workload: frequent breaks to cool down; schedule heavy labor / heavy PPE for the coolest parts of the day; work in the shade.
• Select PPE wisely: still wear appropriate PPE, but not more than necessary — choose the coolest option that still protects you; wide-brimmed hats help.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after work.

12. First Aid for Heat Stress

• Symptoms overlap with poisoning — don't waste time on the cause; err on caution and seek medical attention.
• Do not let a victim go alone to a doctor if at all possible.
• Steps until help arrives:

1. Get the victim into a shaded or cooler area.
2. Carefully remove PPE and clothing that's making them hot.
3. Cool rapidly — sponge/splash the skin (face, neck, hands, forearms) with cool water; immerse in cool water (e.g., a shower) if possible.
4. Have them drink as much cool water as possible — but give NOTHING by mouth to an unconscious person (same rule as poisoning).
5. Keep the victim calm and quiet.

13. Expert Help

• Poison Control Center — (800) 222-1222 (poisoning and heat stress; free, confidential).
• National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) — (800) 858-7378 (pesticide products and their toxicity).
• EPA — Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning (symptoms and treatment for specific pesticides).
• NIOSH — cdc.gov/niosh (heat stress); plus the Heat Index App (OSHA/NIOSH guidance, real-time heat index and forecasts).

Key Vocabulary