EPA Chemical Resistance Catagory Selection Sheet

For use when Personal Protective Equipment section on pesticide label lists chemical resistance category

The Worker Protection Standard requires that labels of pesticides used on farms, and in forests, nurseries and greenhouses list the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that must be worn with each product. Labels will refer to chemical resistance categories (A-H) for PPE. Items in these categories are made of materials that the pesticide cannot pass through during the time indicated below the chart. Choose the category of resistance which best matches the handling task duration. The categories are based on the solvents used in the pesticides, NOT the pesticide themselves. Therefore, there will be instances where the same pesticide with two different formulations (WP and EC, for example) will require PPE from two different chemical resistance categories.

*Includes natural rubber blends and laminates

HIGH: Highly chemical-resistant. Clean or replace PPE at end of each day's work period. Rinse off pesticides at rest breaks.

MODERATE: Moderately chemical-resistant. Clean or replace PPE within an hour or two of contact.

SLIGHT: Slightly chemical-resistant. Clean or replace PPE within ten minutes of contact.

NONE: No chemical-resistance. Do not wear this type of material as PPE when contact is possible.

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu

Last Revised: 3-5-99