Emergency Procedures
Pesticide emergencies may arise because of the improper storage, handling, or application of pesticides or due to a leak, spill, fire or theft. If an accident happens, it is important that you are familiar with the proper emergency procedures.
First Aid
Serious exposure to a pesticide may cause blindness, skin burn, internal bleeding, convulsions, paralysis or stop a person’s breathing. Knowing and using the proper first aid procedures to use when a person is exposed to a pesticide may reduce the level of injury or even save a life.
When a person is exposed to a pesticide, the type of exposure determines the first aid and medical treatment required. To prepare for a medical emergency, one can enroll in an American Red Cross first aid course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.
It is important that the person administering first aid not be affected by the same pesticide that the victim has been exposed to. Some basic safety information is presented below.
- The pesticide affecting the victim can also affect the person administering first aid.
- When administering first aid, avoid getting pesticide onto one’s skin or inhaling vapors from the pesticide.
- If the victim has been overcome by toxic fumes, do not enter the affected area without the proper respiratory equipment.
- The speed at which the victim receives medical care often controls the extent of the injury.
- Provide medical personnel with information about the pesticide. Information about the pesticide can be found in the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and pesticide label.
Pesticides on One’s Skin or Clothing
The following sequence of steps is recommended for a person suffering from skin exposure to a pesticide (Marer, 2000).
Leave the Contaminated Area. Get the victim away from the source of poisoning whether it is fumes, spilled pesticide or another source. Do this quickly!
Restore Breathing. If the victim is not breathing, begin artificial respiration and continue until breathing resumes or until professional help arrives. If the person has stopped breathing and has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and continue until professional help arrives.
Prevent Further Exposure. Remove contaminated clothing and wash the affected skin and hair with soap or detergent and large amounts of water.
Get Medical Attention. Call an ambulance, 911 or transport the person injured to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible.
Pesticides in One’s Eyes
Many pesticides are caustic and can cause serious injury to a person’s eyes. When a person’s eyes have been exposed to a pesticide, prompt first aid followed by medical care is essential to minimize injury. The following first aid procedure has been recommended for a person whose eyes have been exposed to a pesticide (Marer, 2000).
First Aid. Immediately flush eyes exposed to a pesticide with a gentle stream of clean, running water. Hold the eyelids open to assure the eyes are thoroughly flushed with water. Do this for 15 minutes. Do not use any chemicals or drugs in the water used to flush the eyes. This could increase the extent of injury.
Obtain Medical Care. Always obtain medical care if irritation persists after properly flushing the eyes with water. Provide the name of the pesticide to the medical providers.
Inhaled Pesticides
Inhaled pesticides can cause serious lung injury, and when pesticides are absorbed by the lungs, they can travel to other parts of the body. If this occurs, apply first aid measures immediately.
When a person has been overcome with pesticide fumes in an enclosed area, put on a supplied air respirator before entering the area. Cartridge respirators are not suitable where there is a high concentration of a pesticide vapor or deficient oxygen conditions.
The following first aid procedures are recommended for a person overcome by pesticide fumes (Marer, 2000).
Remove the Exposed Person from the Contaminated Area. A person overcome by pesticide vapors needs to get to fresh air. Physical exertion should be avoided since this places an extra strain on the heart and lungs.
Loosen Clothing. Loosen clothing worn by the individual. This makes it easier for the person to breathe and helps to release vapors trapped between the clothing and skin.
Restore Breathing. If the victim’s breathing has stopped, is irregular or labored, perform artificial respiration. Continue until the victim’s breathing has improved or medical personnel arrive. If the person has stopped breathing and has no pulse, perform CPR until medical personnel arrive.
Treat for Shock. Individuals injured by inhaling pesticides many times will go into shock. Keep the exposed person calm and lying down. After removing any contaminated clothing, prevent chilling by wrapping the person in a blanket. Do not let the victim drink any alcoholic beverages.
Watch the Person for Convulsions. Keep watch over the person that has been poisoned by inhaling a pesticide. Should the individual go into convulsions, protect the individual from falls or injury and keep air passages clear by making sure the head is tilted back.
Get Immediate Medical Care. Call an ambulance, 911 or transport the person to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible.
Swallowed Pesticides
There are two primary dangers when a person swallows a pesticide.
- The first danger is associated with the pesticides toxicity and the poisoning effect it will have on a person’s nervous system or other internal organs.
- The second danger is associated with the physical injury that the swallowed pesticide might cause to the linings of the mouth, throat and lungs.
The main decision to make after a person has swallowed a pesticide is whether to induce vomiting. Never induce vomiting if the victim is unconscious or is having convulsions.
It is usually best to get rid of a swallowed poison fast but remember the following:
- Corrosive materials, those that are strongly acidic or very alkaline, can seriously burn the delicate linings of the mouth, throat and lungs. Never induce vomiting if the person has swallowed a corrosive poison. The person that swallows a corrosive liquid usually complains of severe pain and burning in the mouth and throat.
- Petroleum based products are corrosive. Most pesticides that come in liquid formulations are dissolved in petroleum products and thus, corrosive. The words “emulsifiable concentrate” or “solution” on the pesticide label are strong signals NOT to induce vomiting if the person has swallowed a pesticide concentrate. However, if a dilute form of these pesticides has been swallowed, force the victim to vomit immediately.
- If a corrosive pesticide has been swallowed dilute the poison as quickly as possible. For acids or alkalis use milk or water. For 1 to 5 year-olds, use 1 to 2 cups; for persons 5 and older, use up to 1 quart. For acids, milk of magnesia may also be used (2 tablespoons in one cup of water).
Usually, the best first aid to administer to a person that has swallowed a pesticide is to dilute the poison immediately. This is usually accomplished by drinking large doses of water or milk according to the directions on the label. Then get the person to a hospital. Never give liquids to a person that is unconscious.
If one is certain that the person poisoned has not swallowed a corrosive pesticide, induce vomiting.
How to Induce Vomiting –
(Renchie, 2009)
- Give the person large doses of milk or water. This is 1 to 2 cups for persons up to five years old and up to a quart for persons that are older.
- If the person is alert and breathing normally, give syrup of ipecac followed by one to two glasses of water to induce vomiting.
- For persons 12 years and older: 2 tablespoons syrup.
- For children under 12: 1 tablespoon syrup.
Activity hastens the effect of the syrup.
- Make sure the person is kneeling or lying face down while vomiting. Do not let the victim lie on his or her back because the vomitus could enter the lungs. Collect some vomitus while wearing gloves and give the sample to the doctor. It might be used to test for chemicals.
How to Treat for Shock –
(Renchie, 2009)
Poisoning victims sometimes go into shock. If untreated or ignored, the victim will sometimes die from shock even if the poisoning injuries are not fatal. Shock symptoms include: pale, cold and clammy skin; vacant and lackluster eyes with dilated pupils; shallow and irregular breathing, and very weak, rapid and irregular pulse.
- Keep the victim flat on his back with his legs 1 to 1.5 feet above his head.
- Keep the victim warm enough to prevent shivering. Do not overheat.
- Keep the victim quiet and reassure him or her often.
Contents for a First Aid Kit
(Renchie, 2009)
In case of a medical emergency involving a pesticide, a well equipped first aid kit should always be kept nearby. It should have a tight-fitting cover with a latch, so it won’t come open by accident or allow pesticides to enter. Label the first aid kit with a waterproof marker or paint.
Pack the following items within the first aid kit.
- Small bottle of common detergent for washing pesticides off skin.
- Small package or bag of activated charcoal. When mixed with water and swallowed, this product absorbs pesticides.
- Syrup of ipecac. This is used to induce vomiting.
- Small plastic airway for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Thermos or large plastic bottle of clean water (at least one quart).
- Simple band-aids, gauze bandages and tap
- Blanket
- Coins for an emergency phone call.
- Small plastic cup or empty plastic jar with a tight fitting lid. This can be used as a drinking glass, to feed activated charcoal or to collect vomitus to take to the doctor.
References
Marer, P. J. 2000. The safe and effective use of pesticides. University of California Publ. 3324.
Renchie, D. L. 2009. Texas pesticide applicator general. Texas AgriLife Extension Service Publ. B-5073.