What Do We Know About
Personal Protective Equipment
and Pesticide Labels?
Carol Black
Pesticide Education Specialist
Acknowledgments
Dr. Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Dr. Jeff Evans, US EPA OPP Health Effects Division
The Pesticide Label
pesticidepics.org
•Risk Assessment
•
•
•
•
•
•
Toxicity
Formulation
Use pattern
Dermal exposure
Inhalation exposure
Closed-mixing
systems
VERY RARELY would this much
protection be warranted, and extremely
doubtful being a solid formulation
The Pesticide Label
•Who is Exposed?
• Mixer-loaders
• Applicators
• Equipment
maintenance
•PPE is noted on the label per task
Lorsban 4E (2012)
Dr. Anugrah Shaw – Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore
• No aggregate data was
available to determine the
scope of the PPE
challenges
• Label review manual is
fairly prescriptive for PPE
language
• What is really being
required
PPE label-language database was developed
by Dr. Anugrah Shaw to obtain information
that would assist in determining the scope
of the issue with the current PPE
requirements on the label.
Personal Protective Equipment
•Clothing
•Eye Protection
•Gloves
•Respiratory
Protection
EPA Matrix for PPE: Dermal & Inhalation Toxicity
Other factors, in addition to default acute toxicity values, are used.
Type of PPE
Certification
Requirements*
Minimum
Required
Next Highest Level of
Protection
Longsleeved
shirt and
long pants
Socks and
Shoes
Coveralls over shortsleeved shirt and short
pants
Highest
Level of
Protection
Coveralls over longChemicalsleeved shirt and long resistant suit
pants
Chemical-resistant
footwear
Chemical-resistant
footwear
NA
Not in EPA matrix
Next Highest Level of
Protection
Protective
Clothing
None
Protective
Footwear
None
Gloves
None
None
Chemical-resistant gloves
NA
NA
Protective
Headwear
None
None
Chemical-resistant
headgear
NA
NA
Chemical
Resistant Apron
None
None
Chemical-resistant apron
worn over coveralls over
short-sleeved shirt and
short pants
Chemical-resistant
NA
apron worn over
coveralls over longsleeved shirt and long
pants
Respiratory
Protection
Device
NIOSH Certified
None
Particulate filtering respirator:
NIOSH approval number prefix
(TC-21C) or a NIOSH approved
respirator with any R,P, or HE
A respirator with an
organic-vapor removing
cartridge with a prefilter
filter
approved for pesticides
Air Supplying
Respirator
PVC
polyvinylchloride
Barrier Laminate
Review of
Glove
Materials
Polyethylene
Viton
Nitrile
Butyl Rubber
Neoprene
Nitrile 8 mil
Latex® 20 mil
Disposable vinyl
Review of
Glove
Thicknesses
Nitrile 15 mil
Nitrile 5 mil
Gloves – The Beginning
•A.D. Little and EPA/ORD
•100 tests
•20 pesticide formulations
•13 glove materials
• Permeation Resistance of Glove Materials to
Agricultural Pesticides
• 1993 - Guidance Manual for Selecting Protective
Clothing for Agricultural Pesticides Operations
• A.D. Little, peer-reviewed by EPA
Gloves – The Basis
•Solvents generally
permeate first*
•Labels are based on
solvent types
•Labels should list TYPE
of glove, not code
•Label - means gloves
can be worn all day
Carrier Solvent
Selection
Category Type
No solvent or
aqueous solvent
A -- waterproof
Ketones
B
Alcohols
C
Acetates
D
Aliphatic Petroleum
Distillates
E
Aromatic petroleum
Distillates < 40%
F
Aromatic petroleum
Distillates > 40%
G
Halogenated
Hydrocarbons
H
EPA Glove Type Selection
pesticidepics.org
•Best matches the handling
task duration
•Based on solvents used in
pesticides, not the
pesticides themselves
•Two formulations of the
same active ingredient may
require different glove
types
Only Gloves Rated ‘High’ Are Selected for Labels
EPA Chemical Resistant GLOVE Chart -- as noted for all-day tasks
Solvent
Category
Barrier
Laminate
Butyl
Rubber
≥ 14 mils
Nitrile
Rubber
≥ 14
mils
Neoprene
≥ 14 mils
Natural
Rubber
≥ 14 mils*
Polyethylene
Polyvinyl
Chloride
(PVC)
≥ 14 mils
Viton
≥ 14 mils
A (dry and
water- based)
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
B
High
High
Slight
Slight
None
Slight
Slight
Slight
C
High
High
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
High
High
D
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
None
None
None
Slight
E
High
Slight
High
High
Slight
None
Moderate
High
F
High
High
High
Moderate
Slight
None
Slight
High
G
High
Slight
Slight
Slight
None
None
None
High
H
High
Slight
Slight
Slight
None
None
None
High
Approximate
price per pair
(A.Shaw)
Barrier
Laminate
$5.70
Butyl
Rubber
$24.90
Nitrile
$2.95
Neoprene
$7.50
Polyethylene
$0.99
Viton/Buty
l
$72.25
per glove
Only Gloves Rated ‘High’ Are Selected for Labels
EPA Chemical Resistant Glove Chart -- SHORT TERM TASKS are noted
Solvent
Category
Barrier
Laminate
Butyl
Rubber
≥ 14 mils
Nitrile
Rubber
≥ 14
mils
Neoprene
≥ 14 mils
Natural
Rubber
≥ 14 mils*
Polyethylene
Polyvinyl
Chloride
(PVC)
≥ 14 mils
Viton
≥ 14 mils
A (dry and
water- based)
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
B
High
High
Slight
Slight
None
Slight
Slight
Slight
C
High
High
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
High
High
D
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
None
None
None
Slight
E
High
Slight
High
High
Slight
None
Moderate
High
F
High
High
High
Moderate
Slight
None
Slight
High
G
High
Slight
Slight
Slight
None
None
None
High
H
High
Slight
Slight
Slight
None
None
None
High
Approximate
price per pair
(A.Shaw)
Barrier
Laminate
$5.70
Butyl
Rubber
$24.90
Nitrile
$2.95
Neoprene
$7.50
Polyethylene
$0.99
Viton/Buty
l
$72.25
per glove
1. How many different glove materials do
you wear during a year?
•
Same – 2 types – 3 types -- More than 3
2. Do you wear the same glove material
when you mix/load and apply?
•
Yes – No -- Don’t wear gloves
3. Do you wear the same glove thickness
when you mix/load and apply?
•
Yes – No -- Don’t wear gloves
1. Do you wear the same glove for
different pesticides?
•
Only handle 1 product – Use same glove
for different products – Use different
glove for different products
2. Do you wear the same glove for
different handling tasks?
•
Only do 1 task– Use same glove for
different tasks– Use different glove for
different tasks
Protective Clothing
All PPE images taken from gemplers.com and amazon.com
Protective Clothing
• Clothing label language is based on garment type and
layers of garments
•
not any scientific garment/fabric standard.
• Fabric performance varies considerably
• Performance depends on the material and the
finish applied to the fabric.
•
Data show that a pant/shirt can have much better
protection than some coveralls.
• New ASTM and ISO performance-based standards for
fabrics/finishes are in place
•
Scientists are conducting wear studies prior to
implementation in the US
• Used in Europe and Brazil
1. What layers are typically worn when you
apply pesticides
•
•
•
•
Single layer – pants/shirt
Coverall (cotton/polyester) over
pant/shirt
Tyvek-like water resistant over pant/shirt
Rain-suit-like impermeable over pant/shirt
Protective Clothing Requirements by Garment Type
1800
1600
1583
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
128
152
Coverall over Short
Sleeved Shirt, Short
Pant
Coverall over Long
Sleeved Shirt, Long
Pant
5
0
Long Sleeved Shirt,
Long Pant
Chemical-resistant
Coverall
from Dr. Anugrah Shaw, UMES
1868 labels analyzed from CDMS in 2012
Protective Gloves
Barrier Laminate
PVC
polyvinylchloride
Polyethylene
Nitrile
Viton
Butyl Rubber
All PPE images taken from
gemplers.com and amazon.com
Neoprene
Glove Requirements
from Dr. Anugrah Shaw, UMES
1868 labels analyzed from CDMS in 2012
2000
1552
1500
1000
500
140
0
None
700
174
2
Gloves
Waterproof
Chemical-resistant
Chemical Resistant Categories
648
600
500
341
400
300
143
200
100
0
31
125
1
78
130
30
23
1
1
Only Gloves Rated ‘High’ Are Selected for Labels
EPA Chemical Resistant Chart -- as noted for all-day tasks
Solvent
Category
Barrier
Laminate
Butyl
Rubber
≥ 14 mils
Nitrile
Rubber
≥ 14
mils
Neoprene
≥ 14 mils
Natural
Rubber
≥ 14 mils*
Polyethylene
Polyvinyl
Chloride
(PVC)
≥ 14 mils
Viton
≥ 14 mils
A
174 + 648
+ 341 + 2
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
High
B
31
High
High
Sligt
Slight
None
Slight
Slight
Slight
C
143
High
High
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
High
High
D
1
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
None
None
None
Slight
E
125
High
Slight
High
High
Slight
None
Moderate
High
F
78 + 23
High
High
High
Moderate
Slight
None
Slight
High
G
130 + 23
High
Slight
Slight
Slight
None
None
None
High
H
30
High
Slight
Slight
Slight
None
None
None
High
Approximate
price per pair
(A.Shaw)
Barrier
Laminate
$5.70
Butyl
Rubber
$24.90
Nitrile
$2.95
Neoprene
$7.50
Polyethylene
$0.99
Viton/Buty
l
$72.25
per glove
Applicator – Glove Statements - Herbicides
• Roundup Weather Max – (2009)
• Any waterproof material such as polyethyelene or polyvinyl
chloride
• Weedar 64 (2010)
• Some materials that are chemical resistant are listed below
(NOT). For more options, follow instructions for Category A on
an EPA Chemical Resistance Chart.
• Cimarron Max (2011)
• Some materials that are chemical resistant to this product are
butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, or nitrile rubber. . . .
For more options, follow instructions for Category A on an EPA
Chemical Resistance Chart.
• Bonfire Herbicide (2011)
• Chemical resistant gloves – Category A (e.g. barrier laminate,
butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, natural rubber,
polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or viton)
Applicator – Glove Statements - Insecticides
• Brigade (2008)
• Wear chemical resistant gloves, such as Barrier Laminate, Nitrile
Rubber, or Neoprene Rubber, or Viton
• Sevin 4F (2010)
• Some materials that are chemical resistant to this product are made
of any waterproof material. . . . For more options, follow instructions
for Category A on an EPA Chemical Resistance Chart. . . . Wear
chemical resistant gloves.
• Lorsban Advance (2012)
• Materials that are chemical resistant to this product are barrier
laminate or viton >14mils . . . . Must wear chemical resistant gloves.
Wear --- Any --- Such as --- e.g.,
PVC
polyvinylchloride
Barrier Laminate
Review of
Glove
Materials
Polyethylene
Viton
Nitrile
Butyl Rubber
Neoprene
Questions about Gloves
1.What glove material is worn most often?
2.What is the primary reason for glove
selection?
3.If wearing more than one glove type, what
is the second most common selection?
When More than Waterproof is Required
--How Often are Glove Types Inappropriate?
 Polyethylene






460
PVC
395
Butyl Rubber
285
Neoprene
270
Nitrile
192
Barrier Laminate
0
Viton
32
out of 1552 labels
Need New Studies to Enhance Risk
Assessment and Protections
• Different glove types
• Different thicknesses of gloves
• Formulations and solvents
• Duration of tasks and exposure
• User input – Questions from TODAY!
web.extension.illinois.edu
nmda.nmsu.edu
Gloves Studies Ongoing Now
• Common glove types and thicknesses
• Permeation - chemical moves through protective material
on a molecular level
• Penetration - chemical leaks through seams, pinholes,
and other imperfections in the material.
• Expect Findings NOW!
• Future integration with risk assessment and labeling
NPPTL
Protective headwear, aprons, and
footwear
Protective
 Headwear is required for Dermal
Headwear Requirements
Toxicity Category I or II products
that might involve overhead
exposure.
 48 labels that require headgear
require long-sleeved shirt and
long pants
 the lowest level of protection
for the rest of the body.
 Rain suits/chemical resistant
suits are often worn for orchard
spraying where not only the
head but the entire back is wet
from exposure.
Apron Requirements for Mixing, Loading or Repairs
A chemical-resistant
apron is required for
certain products with
Dermal Toxicity
Category I or II and/or
Skin Irritation.
Protective Footwear Requirements
1800
Pesticide Products for Agricultural Use
1600
1586
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
281
200
0
1
Shoes
Chemical-resistant
Footwear
No requirement
Protective Eyewear
Protective Eyewear
Requirements
Protective eyewear
is required for
Toxicity
Categories I and II
cdc.gov
Respiratory Protection
Respirator Requirements
Require
Respirator
jpse.org
Federal Dialogue – Looking to the Future
your input can help
Type of PPE
Certification
Minimum
Requirements Required
Protective
Clothing
None
Protective
Footwear
None
Gloves
None
Protective
Headwear
None
Chemical
resistant Apron
None
None
Respiratory
Protection
Device
NIOSH
Certified
None
Next Highest Level of
Protection
Next Highest
Highest Level of
Level of
Protection
Protection
Long-sleeved
Coveralls over shortCoveralls over
Chemical
shirt and
long – Levels
sleeved1,shirt
short
long-sleeved
shirt
Resistant Suit
Certified
garments
2, 3and
based
on ISO
and ASTM
standards
pants
pants
and long pants
Socks and Shoes Chemical –resistant
Chemical-resistant NA
footwear
footwear
None
NA
Certified gloves
– Levels 1, 2, Chemical-resistant
3 based on permeationNA
testing, revised standards
and
gloves
performance specifications
None
Chemical-resistant
Certified garments –NA
Levels 1, 2, 3
headgear
NA
based on ISO and ASTM standards
Chemical-resistant
Chemical-resistant NA
Certified
garments
–
Levelsworn
3 based
apron worn over long- apron
over
on ISO shirt
and and
ASTM
worn
sleeved
longstandards
coveralls
overover
pants
long-sleeved
shirt
protective clothing required
for that
productand long pants
Filtering facepiece
Elastomeric Half
respirator (N95, R95,or Mask respirator
P95)1– Clarify language with
appropriate
No change
on labels
cartridges and/or
filters
Air Supplying
Respirator
Read the Label Carefully for Appropriate PPE!
Consider other Health Implications
Carol Black
carol@nasda.org or
carol.black208@gmail.com
208-301-3654 Pacific Time
Why those gloves