What Do We Know About

Personal Protective Equipment

and Pesticide Labels?

Carol Black

Pesticide Education Specialist

AcknowledgmentsDr. Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Dr. Jeff Evans, US EPA OPP Health Effects Division

The Pesticide Label

•Risk Assessment• Toxicity• Formulation• Use pattern• Dermal exposure• Inhalation exposure• Closed-mixing

systems

pesticidepics.org

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 ToxicityOther factors, in addition to default acute toxicity values, are used.

Review of Glove

Materials

Barrier Laminate

Butyl Rubber

Polyethylene

Neoprene

Viton

Nitrile

PVCpolyvinylchloride

Review of Glove

ThicknessesNitrile 15 mil

Nitrile 8 mil

Nitrile 5 mil

Latex® 20 mil

Disposable vinyl

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

•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

pesticidepics.org

Only Gloves Rated ‘High’ Are Selected for Labels

Solvent Category

Barrier Laminate

Butyl Rubber≥ 14 mils

Nitrile Rubber ≥ 14 mils

Neoprene ≥ 14 mils

Natural Rubber≥ 14 mils*

Poly-ethylene

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

Nitrile$2.95

Viton/Butyl$72.25per glove

Neoprene$7.50

Barrier Laminate$5.70

Butyl Rubber $24.90

Polyethylene $0.99

Approximateprice per pair(A.Shaw)

EPA Chemical Resistant GLOVE Chart -- as noted for all-day tasks

Only Gloves Rated ‘High’ Are Selected for Labels

Solvent Category

Barrier Laminate

Butyl Rubber≥ 14 mils

Nitrile Rubber ≥ 14 mils

Neoprene ≥ 14 mils

Natural Rubber≥ 14 mils*

Poly-ethylene

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

Nitrile$2.95

Viton/Butyl$72.25per glove

Neoprene$7.50

Barrier Laminate$5.70

Butyl Rubber $24.90

Polyethylene $0.99

Approximateprice per pair(A.Shaw)

EPA Chemical Resistant Glove Chart -- SHORT TERM TASKS are noted

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?1. 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

•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

Protective Clothing

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

from Dr. Anugrah Shaw, UMES1868 labels analyzed from CDMS in 2012

Protective Gloves

All PPE images taken from gemplers.com and amazon.com

Barrier Laminate

Butyl Rubber

Polyethylene

Neoprene

Viton

Nitrile

PVCpolyvinylchloride

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Only Gloves Rated ‘High’ Are Selected for Labels

Solvent Category

Barrier Laminate

Butyl Rubber≥ 14 mils

Nitrile Rubber ≥ 14 mils

Neoprene ≥ 14 mils

Natural Rubber≥ 14 mils*

Poly-ethylene

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

Nitrile$2.95

Viton/Butyl$72.25per glove

Neoprene$7.50

Barrier Laminate$5.70

Butyl Rubber $24.90

Polyethylene $0.99

Approximateprice per pair(A.Shaw)

EPA Chemical Resistant Chart -- as noted for all-day tasks

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.,

Review of Glove

Materials

Barrier Laminate

Butyl Rubber

Polyethylene

Neoprene

Viton

Nitrile

PVCpolyvinylchloride

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?

Polyethylene 460 PVC 395 Butyl Rubber 285 Neoprene 270 Nitrile 192 Barrier Laminate 0 Viton 32

When More than Waterproof is Required --- How Often are Glove Types Inappropriate?

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 Requirements

Headwear is required for Dermal 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

Protective Eyewear

Protective Eyewear Requirements

Protective eyewear is required for ToxicityCategories I and II

Respiratory Protection

cdc.gov

Respirator Requirements

RequireRespirator

jpse.orgjpse.org

Federal Dialogue – Looking to the Futureyour input can help

Certified garments – Levels 1, 2, 3 based on ISO and ASTM standards

Certified gloves – Levels 1, 2, 3 based on permeation testing, revised standards and performance specifications

No change – Clarify language on labels

Certified garments – Levels 1, 2, 3 based on ISO and ASTM standards

Certified garments – Levels 3 based on ISO and ASTM standards worn over protective clothing required for that

product

Read the Label Carefully for Appropriate PPE!

Consider other Health Implications

Carol Blackcarol@nasda.org or carol.black208@gmail.com 208-301-3654 Pacific Time

Why those gloves