What safety equipment is essential when handling pesticides?

When handling pesticides, using safety equipment is crucial to protect oneself from potential hazards associated with chemical exposure. Safety glasses or goggles and gloves are essential pieces of equipment that provide a barrier against skin absorption and eye contact, both of which can lead to harmful health effects.

Gloves are necessary to protect the hands from direct contact with pesticides, which can cause skin irritation or systemic toxicity if absorbed. Safety glasses or goggles protect the eyes from splashes or dust that might occur when mixing or applying pesticides. Together, these items form a basic but critical line of defense for anyone working with these substances.

Other options do not provide adequate protection. Relying only on gloves ignores the risk of eye exposure, while a mask alone does not protect other vulnerable areas such as the skin or eyes. The statement regarding proper storage being sufficient neglects the need for safety precautions during actual handling and application, which is when the risk of exposure is highest. Therefore, the combination of safety glasses or goggles and gloves offers comprehensive protection when dealing with pesticides.