When are pesticide applicators likely to experience high levels of exposure?

Pesticide applicators are likely to experience high levels of exposure during the mixing or loading process. This phase of pesticide application involves handling concentrated products, often in environments that may not have adequate ventilation. The act of transferring pesticides from their containers into spray equipment increases the risk of inhalation, skin contact, or accidental spills.

Proper safety measures, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and following label instructions, are crucial during this stage to minimize exposure. Additionally, this is the stage where the applicator is most directly interacting with the chemical in its concentrated form, making it particularly hazardous compared to other activities like field application or cleanup, where the chemical has already been diluted or applied.

While exposure can also occur during field application, cleanup, and transportation, the risks are generally more manageable compared to the mixing and loading phase, where concentrated formulations are present.