When washing clothing after pesticide application, how should items worn during application be treated relative to other clothing?

• A. Kept separate from other clothing
• B. Kept with other clothing
• C. Shredded and discarded
• D. Placed in the freezer

Answer: (A)

Keeping clothes worn during pesticide application separate from the rest of the laundry is essential to prevent spreading residues. Pesticide residues on those items can transfer to other fabrics, to people handling the laundry, and into the washing machine or its rinse water. By washing them separately, you limit cross-contamination and ensure the contaminated items receive proper cleaning before they’re worn again.

Store the worn clothing in its own bag or designated area and launder it separately from clean clothes, following label guidance for temperature and detergent. Afterward, you can wash the rest of the laundry as usual.

Carrying the contaminated garments with other clothing would risk spreading residues to clean items, which is why that option isn’t appropriate. Shredding or discarding the clothing isn’t a practical or safe approach for typical PPE, and placing items in the freezer does not reliably remove residues or decontaminate the clothing.