If you encounter a pesticide leak or spill you should treat the incident as an immediate response in which action is required.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends

Answer: (A)

Handling a pesticide leak or spill requires an immediate response. Pesticides are designed to be toxic to pests, and many can harm humans, pets, and the environment quickly if exposure or spread occurs. Because of this, delaying action increases the risk of injury and contamination, so the appropriate course is to act right away—contain the spill if you are trained to do so, evacuate or isolate the area to keep others safe, use proper personal protective equipment, and notify a supervisor or the designated emergency contact while following the product label instructions. Document what happened and seek medical advice if exposure has occurred. Options that imply uncertainty or no urgent action aren’t appropriate because the situation is time-sensitive and requires a rapid, coordinated response.