Just the Facts - Pesticides

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Throughout history, military forces have been decimated by diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and plague, carried by ‘vectors’ such as mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas and ticks. Pesticides help to fight these vectors.
• Pesticides help control insects, ticks and rodents which may inflict injury or spread disease.
• A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances that kills, controls or repels insects or other animal pests, or unwanted plants.
• The term ‘pesticides’ covers a range of products including:
  • Insecticides (which destroy disease-carrying ‘vector’ insects. Some can also destroy spiders).
  • Herbicides (which destroy unwanted plants).
  • Fungicides (which destroy moulds and other fungi).
  • Rodenticides (which destroy rodents such as rats and mice).
  • Algicides (which kill algae and slime).
  • Biocides (which kill a wide range of microorganisms).
• In deployments, insecticides are now the most widely used type of pesticide.

ROUTINE USES IN THE DEPLOYED SETTING

• The most important weapon against being bitten by disease vectors is soaking of DPCU and bednets in permethrin, and applying ADF Insect Repellent Personal 75 mL (NSN 6840-66-106- 0247) to the skin. For further information see ADFP 705 – Pesticides Manual chapter 2.
• There are many possible uses of pesticide in the field.
• The priority is to control insects which carry diseases – including malaria and dengue - which affect ADF personnel and so can reduce the combat strength of units.
• Common pesticide applications can include:
  • Fogging for mosquito control.
  • Area sprays to control ticks.
  • Perimeter applications to control crawling insects.
  • Placement of rodent baits, cockroach baits or fly baits.
  • Use of herbicides to control unwanted vegetation (e.g. weeds).
• Methods used to apply pesticides can include:
  • Power foggers and sprayers mounted on vehicles.
  • Handheld sprayers.

SAFETY

• Personnel must:
  • Use all pesticides in accordance with label directions.
  • Use the correct pesticide application techniques.
  • Use the correct mixing and measuring techniques when preparing pesticides.
  • Clean up pesticide spills.
  • Dispose of containers and waste pesticide in the approved manner.
  • Not transfer pesticides into drink bottles or food containers.
• Bulk pesticides: Only personnel properly trained in the safe use of bulk pesticides should handle and apply them. For further information see ADFP 705 – Pesticides Manual chapter 4.

PERSONAL OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE WHEN USING PESTICIDES

• Wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, respirator, etc when applying pesticides (see label for details of PPE required for each product).
• Do not inhale pesticide vapours, dusts and sprays.
• Avoid contact of pesticides with eyes and skin.
• Wash hands, arms and face thoroughly with soap and water after using pesticides.
• Remove/ change heavily contaminated clothing immediately, and thoroughly wash contaminated skin underneath it, with soap and water. Wash all contaminated clothing at the end of the day.
• Avoid contaminating food, utensils, other personnel and the environment with pesticides.

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

• Exposure to pesticides can occur through:
  • ‘Inhalation’, or breathing the mist or vapour – symptoms may appear quickly.
  • ‘Ingestion’ (swallowing).
  • ‘Dermal’ (through the skin) – may take longer to produce symptoms than inhalation or ingestion.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES

• Symptoms of pesticide poisoning can vary from very mild to very severe effects, depending on the type of the pesticide and the level of exposure.
• The possible symptoms of poisoning by pesticides are many and varied, for example allergic reactions, and in very severe cases, convulsions, unconsciousness and death.
• Other possible minor reactions include varying degrees of irritation or burning of the eyes, nose, throat and skin.

Severe effects can result from exposure to organophosphate insecticides or insecticides labelled as‘anticholinesterase compounds’ – e.g. azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, diazinon, maldison, methamidophos, temephos, etc. There are many trade names for such products.

• Symptoms of poisoning from organophosphate insecticides and anticholinesterase compounds
  include those indicated by the acronym ‘SLUDGE’:
  • Salivation (excessive saliva)
  • Lacrimation (tears streaming from the eyes)
  • Urination
  • Diarrhoea
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Emesis (vomiting)
• Other symptoms from exposure to this type of pesticide can include:
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Headache
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Loss of consciousness

STANDARD FIRST AID

• Protect the rescuer from harm or contamination.
• If poisoning symptoms occur, contact the National Poisons Information line (1311 26) for help.
• Follow the first aid instructions on the product label.
• Swallowed poisons: DO NOT make the victim vomit.
• Eyes. If pesticide is splashed in the eye, wash it out immediately with plenty of water.
• Skin. If on the skin, wash it off thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clothing. If clothing is contaminated, remove contaminated clothing, then wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and water. Machine-wash contaminated clothing.
• Get medical help.
• If serious poisoning symptoms develop, get victim to hospital by ambulance as soon as possible.

STANDARD ANTICHOLINESTERASE FIRST AID

• This is first aid for poisoning by organophosphate pesticides – such as those listed above – and pesticides labelled as ‘anticholinesterase compounds’.
• First, carry out ‘Standard First Aid’ as above.
• If pesticide was swallowed give atropine as directed on label, or as directed by the National Poisons Information line (telephone 13 11 26).
• If poisoned by skin absorption or through breathing the vapour, remove any contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly and give atropine (as above).
• Get victim to a hospital as soon as possible.

RISK

• When used in accordance with product labels, pesticides should not cause health problems.
• The ADF Personal Repellent System – permethrin treatment of DPCU and insect repellent application to skin – has been assessed and found to be of very low risk. See chapter 2 of ADFP 705 – Pesticides Manual for details.
• When pesticides are applied indoors in accordance with label instructions, and ventilation is adequate, the pesticide level should not be enough to cause symptoms. If ventilation is not adequate, the level may exceed occupational exposure standards.

FURTHER INFORMATION

• Further information can be obtained from ADFP 705 – Pesticides Manual.
• Emergencies: Contact the National Poisons Information line (telephone 1311 26) if poisoning occurs.
• If you believe that you might have continuing health effects from exposure to pesticides, mention it to your healthcare provider.

Note: This ADF Fact Sheet was developed by the Directorate of Military Medicine in JHC, with the cooperation of the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine.