What increases the chances of pesticide exposure significantly for a pesticide handler?

The chances of pesticide exposure significantly increase for a pesticide handler when they fail to wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is specifically designed to create a barrier between the handler's skin and the chemicals they are working with, reducing the risk of harmful exposure through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. When PPE is not worn, the handler becomes vulnerable to direct exposure to the pesticide formulations, which can lead to both acute and chronic health effects.

In contrast, while failing to read labels carefully, working alone, or using expired pesticides can present risks, they do not directly impact the immediate physical protection that PPE offers. Reading labels is essential for understanding safe handling procedures and limits, but it does not provide protection like PPE. Working alone can lead to safety hazards in case of emergencies but again does not directly influence pesticide exposure levels. Using expired pesticides can reduce their effectiveness but may not necessarily increase exposure in the same immediate manner as neglecting PPE, which is the primary line of defense against harmful chemicals.