What should you do with clothing made from cotton or polyester that has been heavily contaminated with pesticides labeled with the signal word: DANGER-POISON, DANGER, or WARNING?

When dealing with clothing that has been heavily contaminated with pesticides labeled with the signal words: DANGER-POISON, DANGER, or WARNING, the safest and most responsible action is to discard these items at a hazardous waste collection site. This approach is crucial because the levels of contamination in the fabric can pose serious health risks if handled improperly.

Hazardous waste collection sites are specifically equipped to manage and dispose of materials that contain toxic substances, ensuring they are treated safely and do not contaminate the environment or put others at risk. Attempting to wash and reuse the clothing may not effectively remove all pesticide residues, thereby increasing the chances of exposure. Additionally, recycling contaminated clothing could lead to wider contamination issues. Burning the clothing may disperse hazardous chemicals into the air, creating further environmental and health hazards. Therefore, discarding contaminated items at a designated site ensures that they are dealt with according to regulations designed to protect public health and the environment.