Protecting Yourself with Prevention
Being safe around pesticides can be tricky, especially when pesticides can be mistaken for dew. Here are a few tips to reduce your risk of pesticide exposure.
āāāāāāāāāāā
One of the best ways to reduce pesticide exposure at work is to protect yourself from head to toe when in the fields. Wearing these basic clothing items has been shown to reduce pesticide levels by 60%.
(Salvatore, Alicia, et. al., 2008, Occupational Behaviors and Farmworkers’ Pesticide Exposure: Findings From a Study in Monterey County, California)
At the Farm
āShake the dust from your clothes, rinse off your face and arms before getting into your vehicle to drive home.
For the Car
Place a blanket over your car seats during the work week. On the weekends wash the blanket to prevent residue buildup in your car seats.ā
(Sanchez, Martha. CDPR 2021)
Hands
Wash them with soap and water before eating while on the farm, this can reduce pesticides by 15%. (Salvatore, et. al. 2008)
Suds before Hugs
Taking a shower as soon as you arrive home is the best way to spread residue.
Avoid the Dirty Dozen
Food Safety.
āAvoid the Dirty Dozen, these are foods with high levels of pesticides. If possible buy organic versions of "Strawberries, Spinach, Kale, collard and mustard greens, Nectarines, Apples, Grapes, Cherries, Peaches, Pears, Bell and hot Peppers, Celery, Tomatoes" - (EWG, 2021)
Cleaning Produce
A little bath for the veggies.
Soak your produce in 2.5 tbsp. of baking soda diluted in one gallon of water for 12-20 minutes to reduce pesticides by 68%ā. (Yang, et. al., 2017)
Keep the Air Clean
We're breathing here.
Avoid / limit pesticide use in the home if possible. Learn how to make your own box fan filter here.