What safety measure can reduce pesticide exposure during application?

Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a vital safety measure to significantly reduce pesticide exposure during application. PPE includes items such as gloves, goggles, masks, and protective clothing, which are specifically designed to create barriers between the skin, eyes, and respiratory system and potential pesticide residues. By utilizing the correct types of PPE based on the pesticide being applied, applicators can minimize their risk of exposure, ensuring their safety while handling potentially harmful chemicals.

In contrast, wearing shorts and t-shirts is not suitable for pesticide application, as this type of clothing does not provide adequate protection from chemical splashes or skin contact. Using a fan to disperse vapors may seem like a way to reduce exposure; however, it can actually increase the risk by spreading vapors to unintended areas and potentially leading to inhalation. Limiting applications to nighttime could decrease exposure to some environmental factors, but without proper PPE, it does not sufficiently protect the applicator from direct contact or inhalation of pesticides during the application process. Thus, the use of appropriate PPE remains the most effective and reliable safety measure in this context.