Use of pesticides requires careful reading of labels

While working around his yard last month, a man was seen in shorts and bare feet, spritzing weed killer from a pump spray bottle. He explained his rationale that when he was finished, he could more effectively remove pesticide that drifted onto his skin by showering than he would be able to clean it off his shoes or clothing.

The fault in this thinking can be explained with basic etymology: The word pesticide is derived from the English word “pest,” which typically is defined as an annoyance, and “cide,” taken from the Latin word occidere, which means to kill. What the man failed to appreciate is that skin — the largest organ in the human body — is porous, effectively absorbing between 29% and 91% (averaging 64%) of solvents and volatile organic compounds to which it is exposed, according to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health.

“Just because a product is available for homeowners, doesn’t mean it is without risk of harm when not used correctly,” said Meg Mcgrath, associate professor of plant pathology at Cornell University Long Island Horticultural Research Extension Center in Riverhead, New York.

So what’s a home gardener to do? “First and foremost, before you buy any product, you ought to look at the precautions on the label,” Mcgrath added. “Definitely wear shoes, socks and long pants. Some would say wear gloves and even use a respirator, but it’s not likely a home gardener would get ahold of one.”

Just as analgesic creams applied to the skin can penetrate into the body to ease the pain of muscle spasms, pesticides and other harmful chemicals — even organic ones — can be absorbed through the skin and cause harm. Copper, a fungicide often used by organic gardeners, for instance, is damaging to the eyes, Mcgrath pointed out. “If it gets into your eyes it could cause serious damage.” That’s why the label advises wearing protective eyewear when handling the product.

“The most important thing people can do is read the package label,” Mcgrath said. “You ought to be doing that with everything.”

Integrative pest management calls for using the least harmful methods first, then escalating — incrementally — only if necessary. For instance, if ants are getting into the house, wipe them up with a soapy sponge, refrain from leaving food on the counter or dirty dishes in the sink, and keep surfaces clean.

Repair holes in window screens, caulk cracks to seal them, and keep mulch and other organic matter several feet away from a home’s foundation.

If that doesn’t work, escalate to traps or baits. Only if traps fail should chemical sprays be considered, and they should be applied at the lowest recommended rate.

Before buying a pesticide, Mcgrath said, it is important to pore over the label and note the precautions.

According to the National Pesticide Information Center, there are three words consumers should look for on pesticide labels: CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER. They denote each product’s level of toxicity: Products marked “Caution” are lowest in toxicity; “Warning” denotes medium toxicity; and “Danger” indicates the product is among the most toxic.