NYS PCO NYS PCO Professional Level Exam 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which route of pesticide exposure is generally the most common for professional applicators?
- Dermal (through the skin) (Correct answer)
- Oral (through the mouth)
- Inhalation (through the lungs)
- Ocular (through the eyes)
Correct answer: Dermal (through the skin)
Skin contact accounts for the majority of occupational pesticide exposures, especially on the hands and forearms.
Question 2: When mixing a concentrated pesticide, at which stage is the applicator at greatest risk of exposure?
- Handling the undiluted concentrate during mixing and loading (Correct answer)
- Spraying the diluted solution
- Transporting sealed containers
- Cleaning equipment after triple rinsing
Correct answer: Handling the undiluted concentrate during mixing and loading
Concentrates are far more toxic than diluted spray, making mixing and loading the highest-risk task.
Question 3: An applicator experiences pinpoint pupils, excessive salivation, and muscle twitching after using an organophosphate. These are symptoms of what?
- Cholinesterase inhibition poisoning (Correct answer)
- Heat exhaustion
- Anticoagulant toxicity
- Pyrethroid skin sensitization
Correct answer: Cholinesterase inhibition poisoning
Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit cholinesterase, producing the classic SLUDGE symptoms and pinpoint pupils.
Question 4: What is the FIRST action an applicator should take if a pesticide concentrate splashes into a coworker's eyes?
- Flush the eyes with clean running water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Apply a neutralizing chemical solution
- Bandage the eyes and drive to a hospital
- Wait to see if irritation develops
Correct answer: Flush the eyes with clean running water for at least 15 minutes
Immediate and prolonged flushing with clean water is the standard first aid for ocular pesticide exposure.
Question 5: Which piece of information must an applicator provide to a physician or poison control center in a pesticide poisoning emergency?
- The product label, including the active ingredient and EPA registration number (Correct answer)
- The company's annual pesticide purchase totals
- The applicator's certification exam score
- The name of the pesticide distributor
Correct answer: The product label, including the active ingredient and EPA registration number
The label identifies the active ingredient and first aid statements doctors need to select the correct treatment.
Question 6: Chemical-resistant gloves used for pesticide handling should be made of which material rather than leather or cotton?
- Nitrile or other unlined chemical-resistant material (Correct answer)
- Lined wool
- Canvas
- Untreated leather
Correct answer: Nitrile or other unlined chemical-resistant material
Leather and fabric absorb pesticides and hold them against the skin, while nitrile resists penetration.
Question 7: A fumigation job requires respiratory protection. Before an employee wears a tight-fitting respirator, what must occur?
- Medical evaluation and fit testing under a respiratory protection program (Correct answer)
- Only a quick mirror check for visible gaps
- Approval from the pesticide manufacturer
- A 24-hour waiting period after the last application
Correct answer: Medical evaluation and fit testing under a respiratory protection program
OSHA requires medical clearance and fit testing before tight-fitting respirators are used on the job.
NYS PCO NYS PCO Professional Level Exam 3
Which route of pesticide exposure is generally the most common for professional applicators?