Why should cotton or leather gloves be avoided when handling highly toxic pesticides?

The use of cotton or leather gloves when handling highly toxic pesticides should be avoided specifically because these materials can absorb pesticides. When gloves absorb these chemicals, they can transfer them to the skin, increasing the risk of exposure and potential health hazards. This absorption not only compromises the effectiveness of the gloves as protective gear but also poses a significant risk of skin contact with harmful substances.

Highly toxic pesticides require the use of gloves made from materials that are resistant to penetration, such as nitrile or PVC, which do not absorb chemicals. By using appropriate materials for gloves, applicators ensure a safer handling process and minimize the risk of contaminating their skin and, by extension, their overall health.

The other options do not accurately reflect the main concern with cotton or leather gloves in this context. While factors like staining, skin irritation, and dexterity can be of concern in different scenarios, the critical issue when managing highly toxic pesticides is the potential for those materials to absorb the pesticides, leading to unintended exposure.