Minnesota Pesticide Applicator Practice Test

What should be done with contaminated PPE after washing?

1. Dry immediately

2. Store in a closed container

3. Run the washer through empty

4. Reuse without further treatment

The correct answer is: Run the washer through empty

When personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes contaminated, washing is an essential step, but it is also important to ensure that residual chemicals or contaminants are dealt with appropriately afterward. Running the washer through an empty cycle is a recommended practice to help eliminate any remaining pesticide residue lingering in the washing machine itself. This step helps prevent cross-contamination that could occur if subsequent loads of laundry—including non-contaminated items—were washed in a machine that still contains harmful chemicals. Additionally, other options do not adequately address safety concerns. While drying the PPE immediately may seem practical, without ensuring that the washing machine is free of residues, it doesn’t provide complete safety. Storing contaminated PPE in a closed container could lead to build-up of harmful vapors, and reusing the equipment without further treatment risks exposure to toxic materials, potentially endangering the user. Thus, running the washer through an empty cycle ensures a safer environment for future laundry loads and promotes responsible handling of contaminated materials.