When cleaning personal protective equipment or clothing that may be contaminated by pesticides, use

• A. A heavy duty liquid detergent on hot water cycle
• B. A heavy duty powder detergent on hot water cycle
• C. Heavy duty liquid or powder detergent on cold water cycle
• D. Detergent-free cleaning

Answer: (A)

When PPE or clothing may be contaminated with pesticides, you want to maximize residue removal by using a strong cleaner in a hot wash. Heavy-duty liquid detergents provide fast, thorough cleaning because the liquid form disperses evenly through fabrics and contains powerful surfactants that emulsify oily residues, making them easier to rinse away. Hot water helps break down and dissolve both the residue and the bound contaminants, so more of the pesticide is washed out rather than remaining trapped in fibers.

Powder detergents can leave residues or not dissolve completely in every cycle, which can trap contaminants and require extra rinses. Cold water less effectively dissolves and emulsifies pesticide residues, leading to less thorough cleaning. Detergent-free cleaning wouldn’t adequately remove or suspend residues, increasing exposure risk.

So, using a heavy-duty liquid detergent with a hot water wash provides the best combination for removing pesticide residues from contaminated PPE and clothing.