Contaminated Garment Washing Due to Pesticide Residue

When working with pesticides, it's essential to take precautions to prevent clothing contamination. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is highly recommended.

If your clothing does become contaminated, it's crucial to handle and launder it properly to ensure safety and prevent cross-contamination. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Always read the pesticide label before laundering contaminated clothing for any recommendations.
Contaminated clothing should be separated from the rest of your laundry.
Rubber gloves should be worn when handling contaminated clothing, but not when laundering it.
Pesticide-contaminated clothing should be laundered separately and properly. It's not advisable to dry clean or wash such clothing in a public laundry facility.
Bleach can be used in the laundering process, but ensure to follow the pesticide label's instructions.
Reusable coated/laminated suits made from materials such as PVC or nitrile should not be decontaminated in a washing machine. Instead, hose off and wash them in a tub of hot soapy water.
Suits made from plastic laminates, nitrile, or latex may melt if placed in a dryer. Therefore, it's best to line dry these materials in the shade to keep harmful sunlight from damaging them.
Contaminated coveralls should not be laundered after each use. Instead, they should be decontaminated following the manufacturer's instructions or local regulations.
After laundering contaminated clothing, the washing machine should be cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
Before laundering contaminated clothing, check with local or state agencies for proper disposal of contaminated rinse water. The local environmental or water management authorities, such as water management offices (Wasserwirtschaftsamt) or health departments (Gesundheitsämter) at the county or district level (Landratsämter), typically enforce compliance with local and national regulations for waste and water protection. Disposal must follow official regulatory requirements to prevent the release into sewage systems, surface waters, or groundwater, and authorities must be notified in case of contamination incidents.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure the safe handling and laundering of pesticide-contaminated clothing, protecting yourself and the environment.