What is the most common cause of pesticide poisoning for applicators?

The most common cause of pesticide poisoning for applicators is dermal contact and inhalation. Applicators often work closely with pesticides and can be exposed to chemical substances through their skin (dermal exposure) and by breathing in pesticide vapors or spray droplets (inhalation). These routes of exposure are prevalent during mixing, loading, and applying pesticides, especially if personal protective equipment (PPE) is not used properly or if the safety precautions are overlooked.

While oral ingestion, the ingestion of contaminated food, and eye contact are also methods through which pesticide exposure can occur, they are less frequent causes of poisoning for applicators compared to the risks associated with dermal and inhalation exposure that are inherent to application work. Understanding these primary exposure routes is essential for implementing effective safety practices and minimizing risks to health among those working with pesticides.