What action should be taken before eating, drinking, or smoking after handling pesticides?

• A. Wash hands with soap and water
• B. Rinse mouth with water only
• C. Brush teeth with toothpaste
• D. Take a nap

Answer: (A)

After handling pesticides, the first thing to do before eating, drinking, or smoking is wash your hands with soap and water. Soap helps break up and lift pesticide residues from the skin, and running water carries them away, reducing the chance you’ll swallow or transfer chemicals to your mouth, food, or cigarettes. Rinsing the mouth with water alone doesn’t remove residues from your hands or skin, and brushing teeth can spread any contamination to the toothbrush and into your mouth. Taking a nap has no protective effect and doesn’t remove residues. If possible, also remove and wash any contaminated gloves and exposed skin and, if clothing is contaminated, change and launder it before further activities.