Clothing contaminated with a pesticide concentrate should be _____.

• A. Discarded as hazardous waste
• B. Pre-soaked for 24 hours before washing
• C. Washed immediately with lots of water
• D. Dry cleaned

Answer: (A)

Pesticide concentrates on clothing can leave highly toxic residues that are not reliably removed by normal cleaning. The safest action is to discard the contaminated clothing as hazardous waste so it can be disposed of through proper channels, preventing exposure to you and others or contamination of water, surfaces, and equipment. Trying to pre-soak or wash the garment can spread residues to the washing machine, other clothes, and the environment, and often doesn’t remove all contamination. Dry cleaning might reduce some residue, but it isn’t guaranteed to eliminate the pesticide and could still expose the cleaner and the process to the chemical. Treating the item as hazardous waste ensures safe, compliant disposal.