Accidental Pesticide Exposure: What to Do Right Away

Accidents happen: spills, splashes, swallowed products, or fumes.

Quick, calm action matters.

The short answer

Remove the person from the exposure, take off contaminated clothing, rinse skin or eyes with plenty of clean water, do not induce vomiting unless told by medical professionals, keep the product container or label, and seek urgent medical help or contact a poison information service. Ventilate the area.

First steps

1. Get to fresh air.
2. Remove contaminated clothing.
3. Rinse skin or eyes with plenty of water.
4. Don't make the person vomit unless instructed.
5. Keep the container or label.
6. Seek medical help immediately.

Call for help for

• Swallowing.
• Breathing difficulty, seizures or drowsiness.
• Eye or heavy skin exposure.
• Any exposure involving a child or pregnant woman.

Tell the doctor

Share the product name, amount, time and symptoms.

When to call a professional

Seek urgent medical help for any significant exposure.

Frequently asked questions

Should I induce vomiting?

Not unless a medical professional says so.

What if it's only a small splash?

Rinse well and monitor.

Where do I get advice?

Doctor, hospital or poison information service.

Keep the label?

Yes.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on pest control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full pest control guide for Bangalore.