Select the right clothing Manufacturers precautionary statements on the pesticide label indicate the type of protective covering that must be worn to reduce exposure to pesticides. Regardless of toxicity, regular working clothing should be worn at all times around most chemicals. This includes underclothing, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and socks. Most labels also specify chemically resistant gloves and boots. Other labels may specify use of coveralls, chemically resistant aprons, goggles, face shields, and respirators.
Clothing materials vary in their ability to resist penetration and permeation of pesticides.
Cotton woven materials, such as heavy denim, may offer adequate protection from granular and dry formulations in limited exposure situations. For liquid sprays, chemically resistant materials or those with a chemically resistant finish offer more protection and can be worn over regular work clothing, especially for mixing and loading tasks. This publication outlines care for regular work clothing of cotton or cotton-blend materials, such as denim jeans that 90 percent of Iowa farmers wear for pesticide application. Other Safe Farm publications explain how to care for more chemically resistant materials and what to do with disposables. Launder clothing carefully Traces of pesticide remain on work clothing, even after washing.