A Shortage of Respirators May Impact Your Operation – What to Do?

The spread of the COVID-19 virus has created incredible challenges; among them is the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for many industries across the U.S. The agricultural community is no exception. In particular demand are respirators of all kinds, especially N95 respirators. Ongoing discussions of the problem continue among Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP) and experts across the country who are developing guidance articles for dissemination to applicators. Here is what is currently known and being recommended.

Pesticides may not be applied without the label-required PPE.

The label is the law. All applicators must adhere to all label directions and use the proper PPE when mixing, loading, handling, or applying a pesticide product. These precautions are meant to protect you from harm and avoid unnecessary risks when using a pesticide. Not wearing the proper PPE is a direct violation of the label and the law plus could result in serious injury.

No exemption or relaxation of the requirements has been made by the EPA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that those using pesticide products must adhere to all labeling requirements. This includes the use of all PPE mentioned on the label. With a shortage of respirators what is the user of a pesticide product supposed to do?

Plan ahead and obtain supplies

Inventory your resources and anticipate your needs for the season. Do you have all of the PPE, including respirators required for the products you plan to use and apply? If not, contact suppliers and try to obtain what is needed.

Adapt to shortages

What if you simply cannot find everything you need? You may opt to select alternative products or practices, if required PPE is unavailable. One alternative would be to select a replacement pesticide or fumigation product with labeling that does not require the use of a respirator. In some instances, that is a possibility. A different formulation of the same active ingredient might be available that requires less restrictive PPE or reduced respiratory protection according to the label. Or, an equally effective product with a different active ingredient and unique PPE requirements may be available on the market.

Pesticide dealers may offer assistance in choosing alternate products. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be a tedious process to review labels to find other options. The following websites provide labels and are a good source of information when searching for new products:

• National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (NPIRS) from Purdue University
  Can search by active ingredient, EPA registration number, product name, and manufacturer products registered in a specific state, including Pennsylvania
• Crop Data Management System (CDMS)
  Mostly agricultural pesticide products
  Can search by product, common name, product type, crop, pest(s), manufacturer, and state
• Greenbook, Plant Protection Label Data
  Search by label, pest, product type, manufacturer, crop and site, active ingredient, and state
• Listing of the above-mentioned websites and others to look up pesticide labels, safety data sheets, and related resources at "Pesticide Labels and SDSs."

Another option may be to use even more protective gear than what is called for on the label. In place of an N95 respirator, an applicator could choose a half- or full-face respirator. Just remember, selecting the proper cartridges can be tricky. For instance, half- or full-face respirators with an organic vapor cartridge would not be sufficient as a replacement for an N95 respirator without the particulate filters. And, expired cartridges should never be used. Before using any respirator make sure it is clean, in good condition, and working properly.

Remember to get fit tested (it's a requirement)

Fit testing, training, and medical evaluations are also required even with N95 respirators, so changing to another make or model of respirator would require another fit test. The Penn State Pesticide Education Program offers respirator fit testing, but the program is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you cannot find someone within your company who is certified to conduct a fit test and provide training, you may reach out to a local occupational health company to perform this service.