COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Description

Pesticides are designed to be toxic to living organisms so they can control pests (e.g., plants, insects, rodents, fungi, and bacteria). At the same time, pesticides must be used with special care to avoid harming nontarget organisms, including pesticide applicators, handlers, and anyone else exposed to the product. Pesticides can have both short-term and long-term effects on humans. As a result, pesticide users need to be concerned with the hazards associated with exposure to the chemical and not exclusively with the toxicity of the pesticide.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

•  Identify common exposure routes for various pesticides and application methods.

•  Discuss the appropriate first aid response to oral, ocular, dermal, and inhalation exposures to pesticides.

•  Explain the hazard level classification system for pesticides, including the corresponding signal words.

Lesson 1

Toxicity, Exposure, and Hazard
Potential Harmful Effects of Pesticides
Exposure—How Pesticides Enter the Body
Product Toxicity and Health Concerns

Lesson 2

Factors Affecting Response
Signal Words
Exposure Symptom Recognition
Antidotes
First Aid for Pesticide Poisoning

Final Assessment