Phytosanitary treatment : risks and dangers

Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, and other substances need particular care. Psychoactive or of natural composition, they are often very dangerous to health. Every year there are many cases of poisoning with severe consequences. Pesticides also cause skin allergies and irritation of the breathing system (asthma, respiratory tract difficulties, etc.). Finally, recurrent exposure to these crop protection products can lead to chronic intoxication, with possible health consequences (cancer, child health, reproductive system disorders, etc.). This substance spraying requires precautions, especially class 3 PPE use (personal protective equipment). Masks, gloves, coveralls, and respiratory masks protect against the harmful effects of these products.

Wearing a plant protection mask is essential to protect your health when spraying and treating pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemical-based operations. Farmers, workers, and people involved in treatments must feature a filtering phytosanitary mask, also known as a gas mask. Half masks are among the best-known and most widely used in the agricultural sector (e.g., the 3M phytosanitary half mask). However, a full face mask also ensures protection of the face and eyes against dangerous splashes.

Whether used as a weed-killer mask or as respiratory protection against insecticides or pesticides, they must be associated with filter cartridges adapted to the products used.

Bi or mono cartridge, a plant protection mask requires an activated carbon-based filter. The respiratory protection cartridge filters polluted ambient air, protecting the wearer from intoxication and adverse effects related to the use of these elements. The choice of filters for crop protection masks depends on the type of substances to which people are exposed. Depending on the product composition, it will be necessary to use a device of type A2-P3 or AX-P3.

Combined A2-P3 cartridges, which filter dust on the one hand, and organic gases and vapors (with a boiling point above 65°C) on the other, are the most commonly used when spraying herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. The A2-P3 filter prevents farmers and workers from inhaling the various toxic substances in the sprayed products. A2-P3 combination filters are available in bayonet and RD DIN40 universal versions.

Depending on the crop protection product's composition, we might choose an AX-P3 combination cartridge. It protects against particles, dust, gases, vapors, and organic compounds with a boiling point below 65°C. AX-P3 filters for crop protection masks are available as RD DIN 40 universal thread cartridges.

The shipping includes the mask with the appropriate filters for rapid installation.

Before selecting the right product, it's vital to identify the risks involved, know whether the mask is well-compliant, get the right size, and find out how it can be shipped. The right PPE choice will depend on the job at hand. While some will settle for a disposable or reusable ffp filtering mask, others prefer a ventilated full-face helmet with a visor. With a highly varied range to meet the needs of diverse applications, the devices can be sold individually or with a kit. The latter includes various accessories such as goggles to protect eyes from volatile dust or gloves for sensitive skin.

The device's price is referenced according to the specialty of the process and its toxicities. Very widespread, the devices are often in stock which makes it easy to find them in-store or ship with fast delivery.

A full range of personal protective equipment offers complete safety against pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Depending on the activity, you'll choose gloves, PPE clothing, aprons, coveralls, goggles, a referenced mask, and boots that meet the protection standards for products used in various sectors.

Long hours working and difficult jobs involving plant protection products call for extra precautions. The ventilated crop protection mask is the ideal solution for such situations. Combined with the appropriate cartridges, a powered air purifying respirator provides a constant filtered airflow into the equipment. So the need for the breathing effort required by a conventional gas mask is not necessary. The safety and comfort of the user of a ventilated plant protection mask are enhanced. Powered air purifying masks for treatments involving hazardous compounds are recommended for work extending over several hours.

Whereas ffp masks are delivered in batches (stock is usually available in stores, and the price is much lower), powered air purifying respirators are shipped individually. The former is disposable, while the latter is reusable.