What is the key to minimizing the hazard of pesticide use to the applicator?

Minimizing the hazard of pesticide use to the applicator primarily revolves around preventing exposure to the chemicals. By avoiding contact with pesticides, the risk of potential health effects substantially decreases. This includes not only the direct handling of pesticides but also limiting inhalation and skin contact.

While using safer chemicals, wearing protective gear, and limiting the amount applied are all important practices in pesticide safety, they do not directly address the primary goal of exposure reduction. Choosing safer chemicals can mitigate risks but does not eliminate them completely. Protective gear can provide a barrier but may not be foolproof if exposure occurs during application. Similarly, using smaller quantities of pesticide may reduce the risk, but if exposure happens, it can still pose health risks. Therefore, the foundation of minimizing hazards lies in strategically avoiding exposure altogether.