What action should be taken if protective gear becomes contaminated?

When protective gear becomes contaminated, it is essential to clean and sanitize it appropriately to ensure continued safety and effectiveness during pesticide application. Proper cleaning helps remove pesticide residues and any harmful substances that may have adhered to the gear, thus protecting the individual from exposure during future use.

Cleaning and sanitizing not only maintain the gear in usable condition but also prevent cross-contamination that might affect the environment, other people, or animals. It is important to follow specific manufacturer guidelines or established procedures for cleaning that particular type of protective equipment to ensure that it is effectively decontaminated.

The other choices do not promote safe or effective practices. Simply rinsing the gear under cold water may not adequately remove harmful residues. Reusing contaminated gear without cleaning poses a significant risk of exposure to pesticides. While replacing contaminated gear is one option, it is often more practical and resource-efficient to clean it properly, unless the gear is severely damaged or degraded.