How should you decontaminate equipment after mixing?

• A. Rinse tanks and lines with clean water; dispose of rinseate per label; clean nozzles and filters; wash hands and exposed skin.
• B. Wipe with cloth and continue.
• C. Water the field with the rinse water.
• D. Soak in oil to remove residues.

Answer: (A)

After mixing, the goal is to remove all pesticide residues from the equipment to protect people, crops, and the environment. Thoroughly rinse tanks and all spray lines with clean water to flush out remaining product, then dispose of the rinseate according to the label directions. Clean the nozzles and filters so that residue won’t clog or drift unevenly in future applications. Finally, wash your hands and any exposed skin to prevent dermal exposure. The other approaches aren’t sufficient: wiping won’t clean interior surfaces; using rinse water on the field would spread residues and violate disposal rules; and soaking in oil doesn’t effectively remove residues or follow label guidance.