For a spill on a porous surface, how should contaminated material be managed?

• A. Remove the contaminated surface and dispose of it as excess pesticide.
• B. Wash with water and detergent.
• C. Scrub with soap and rinse.
• D. Leave it to dry in place.

Answer: (A)

Pesticides on porous surfaces soak into the material, so removing the contaminated surface itself is the most reliable way to eliminate the source of contamination. If you only wash or scrub, residues can remain trapped inside the pores or be carried into wash water, creating ongoing exposure and an additional cleanup task. Leaving it to dry in place leaves residues behind and can allow the pesticide to continue to pose a risk to people and the environment. By removing the contaminated surface and disposing of it as excess pesticide, you physically remove the contamination and ensure it’s handled as pesticide waste under proper disposal procedures, reducing the chance of recontamination.