PESTICIDE EXPOSURES

SYMPTOMS

DERMAL (SKIN) EXPOSURE Pesticides easily penetrate the skin and will continue to expose the victim for hours unless washed off. Decontaminate victim as follows:
	REMOVE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING IMMEDIATELY, using gloves or other protection.This is a lifesaving procedure, as it may prevent further exposure and symptoms. Later, save contaminated clothing for an analysis. See Legal Evidence page 5. RINSE victim with whatever CLEAN WATER is available, starting with eyes, mouth, face. (See Eye Exposure, below.) WASH victim in a SHOWER, not a bath, following these steps: Using COOL water, wash victim including hair and fingernails, with mild soap. *COOL water keeps capillaries from dilating and helps prevent further absorption of the pesticide. *Chemically sensitive people may require unscented soap or baking soda. Repeat "A" in LUKEWARM water. Repeat "A" in WARM water.
SEE A DOCTOR, as even a mild case can become worse. The victim should not drive.

EYE EXPOSURE

Even brief pesticide exposures to the eyes can result in serious damage. Act quickly.

1. Keeping eyes open, use a gentle stream of CLEAN WATER to RINSE EYES for 15-20 minutes. Avoid eye medications, as they could cause more damage.
2. SEE AN OPHTHAMOLOGIST (eye doctor) promptly. If not available, see any doctor.

INGESTION (Swallowing)

The container label should say whether to induce vomiting or not. If in doubt, get name of pesticide and call 911 for Poison Control. NEVER use salt to induce vomiting. Use finger or blunt object at back of throat in adults. For children, use syrup of ipecac.

INHALATION (Breathing) EXPOSURE

This is common within greenhouses or indoors.

1. GET VICTIM TO FRESH AIR. Do not retrieve a victim from an enclosed space without wearing proper respiratory equipment.
2. IF VICTIM IS UNCONSCIOUS, check for pulse and breathing. If none, begin C.P.R. (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
3. CALL AN AMBULANCE or other qualified help.
4. Loosen clothing. Keep victim warm and comfortable. See DERMAL EXPOSURE above.

CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

People vary widely in their tolerance to pesticide exposures. Some may suffer severe reactions to trace amounts of substances applied quite some distance away, while others appear unaffected by the same exposure.

AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE

1. If possible, take a copy of the pesticide label or FIND OUT WHAT PESTICIDES and/or other substances were used, before you go to the doctor. Your doctor needs this information to determine treatment.
2. SEE A DOCTOR or go to an emergency room as soon as possible, WITHIN 24 HOURS. Ideally, see one who is experienced with pesticide poisoning - knows the symptoms, how to treat, and has test kits available for samples. (See Laboratories) Medical costs MAY be covered by State Disability Insurance, Worker's Compensation or liable party.
3. The doctor may take cholinesterase, blood, urine, vomit or fatty tissue samples, depending upon type of exposure. (Users of organophosphate or carbamate pesticides should have a "baseline" cholinesterase test done BEFORE and AFTER using them.)
4. PHYSICIANS MUST REPORT SUSPECTED PESTICIDE-RELATED ILLNESSES to the County Health Dept. by telephone wthin 24 hours and/or file a written report. (Section 2950, Calif. Health code) Request a PESTICIDE ILLNESS REPORT form.
5. The doctor must also submit a "Doctor's First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness" to the County Health Dept. within 7 days of work-related incidents.

MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR FILES APPROPRIATE REPORTS. Obtain copies of all reports for your reference.

LEGAL EVIDENCE

If you or your property sustain harm due to pesticide exposure, you may be able to collect compensation for damages. Evidence to support your case must be collected very soon after exposure. Consult a lawyer or legal aid group.

1. OBTAIN COMPLETE PESTICIDE LABEL

to determine if application was legal. Contact Agricultural Dept. to see if permit is required. Get copy.

2. REPORT SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS

to County Agriculture, Health Department, Police or Environmental Protection Agency. Request Department of Agriculture Pesticide Enforcement to visit the site, take samples and investigate incident promptly.

1. OBTAIN THOROUGH DESCRIPTION OF APPLICATION:

1. Name, address of applicator and/or company
2. Type of equipment used (manual, truck, plane)
3. Vehicle license number or description
4. Time, date and exact location of pesticide application or exposure
5. Weather condition, wind direction, temperature
6. Witnesses' and/or other potentially exposed person's names, addresses and phone numbers

4. KEEP A DETAILED WRITTEN JOURNAL OF:

1. Statements made in meetings and phone calls. Send confirming letter including specifics to all parties involved. Have them send you confirmation of same in writing. Save phone bills or notes that may serve as proof of incident. Keep copies of all correspondence. Meetings or calls may be tape recorded if permission given. HAVE REPUTABLE WITNESSES whenever possible.
2. Incidents, such as family/neighbors' illnesses, should be documented by doctor for legal evidence.
3. Abnormal behavior and/or illness of animals. Veterinarian should document for legal evidence.
4. Plant disease or anything else unusual.

5. SAMPLE COLLECTION

of contaminated clothing, soil, water, plants, etc. Legal chain of custody may be required for proof in court. Ideally, Pesticide Enforcement (See Resources end of web page) should be responsible for samples. You may want to have an impartial third party, such as a doctor or veterinarian take duplicate samples. CONTACT LAB PRIOR TO COLLECTION to determine requirements.

6. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS

of applicators, equipment, and plants including landmarks such as fences, buildings, roadsigns, particular tree, and/or witness. Note date and exact location.

LABORATORIES

SPECIAL TEST KITS MAY BE REQUIRED

Contact Lab for specific protocol. Ask if Lab is State approved for those tests being admitted as legal evidence.

1. PACIFIC TOXICOLOGY LAB
1545 Pontius Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(800) 23-TOXIC in California
(800) 32-TOXIC elsewhere (213) 479-4911
CONTACT: Jim Peterson, Ph.D., or James Dahlgren, M.D.
TESTS: polychlorinated biphenyls or organochlorines in serum; organophosphates in urine; halogenated and aromatic solvents in blood; trace metals, 2,4-D and 2, 4, 5-T in urine and in blood.

2. ENVIRO-HEALTH SYSTEMS, Inc.
990 North Browser Rd., Suite 800
Richardson, Texas 75081
(972) 234-5577 or
(800) 451-0116 - outside Texas
CONTACT: John L. Laseter or Craig Degenhardt
TESTS: organochlorines; phenoxy herbicides; volatile brominated compounds (EDB, DBCP); hydrocarbon solvents (paint thinners, etc.); organophosphates; PCB's; heavy metals; solvents (aromatic compounds, halogenated hydrocarbons); phenols.

3. ANTIBODY ASSAY LAB
1715 Wilshire
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(800) 522-2611
CONTACT: Dr. Broughten
TESTS for compromised immune systems (which result from exposures to pesticides or other toxics).

PLEASE NOTE:

Pesticides, their "inert" ingredients, and the various solvents or "spreader activators" may be difficult to identify and isolate, even with sophisticated testing procedures.

A negative test result does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of a toxic reaction to these chemicals or their mixtures.

Some people may be made ill by the "inert" ingredients and/or the solvents. Consider this in diagnosis and treatment.

RESOURCES

EMERGENCY POISON CONTROL	DIAL 911
SAN FRANCISCO REGIONAL POISON CONTROL	(415) 206-5265
COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT	(see your local phone book listing under "County Government Offices")
NATIONAL PESTICIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK	(800) 858-7378
HAZARD EVALUATION SYSTEM & INFORMATION SERVICE Department of Health Services, CA Occupation-related exposure (Call Collect)	(415) 540-3014
DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION ENFORCEMENT DIVISION	(916) 445-3920
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY San Francisco Office	(415) 744-1090
COUNTY AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER	(see your local phone book listing under "County Government Offices")
CALIFORNIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO TOXICS	(707) 822-8497