What handling practices reduce exposure to volatile pesticides?

• A. Rely on wind
• B. Closed handling systems; minimize spills; keep containers sealed
• C. Open handling
• D. Expose to sun

Answer: (B)

Volatile pesticides easily turn into vapors, so the priority is to prevent their escape and keep them contained. Using closed handling systems keeps the pesticide inside equipment during transfer or mixing, greatly reducing the amount that can become airborne. Keeping containers sealed prevents evaporation and stops spills from releasing vapors. Minimizing spills cuts down on both vapor release and potential skin contact during cleanup. In contrast, relying on wind is unreliable and can move vapors to unintended areas, open handling increases vapor release, and exposing pesticides to sun can raise temperature and speed evaporation, raising exposure risk. The combination of closed handling, keeping containers sealed, and minimizing spills directly lowers worker exposure to volatile pesticides.