Respirators are necessary to apply certain pesticides safely

Respirators are necessary for using certain pesticides safely, including pesticides used in fruit and vegetable production such as Bt and paraquat. To use a respirator safely, you need a medical evaluation and a fit test to ensure that you've chosen the right respirator for your face size and shape, as well as for your health status.

Extension's Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Program is hosting six free respirator fit test workshops this winter. If you'd like to offer fit testing in your community, you can attend an all day "train the trainer" workshop. If you'd like a fit test for yourself, you can sign up for a 45 minute fit test appointment in the afternoon.

Locations and dates include:

• Alexandria, March 19th, Alexandria Public Works Meeting Room, 526 Willow Dr, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Little Falls, March 20th, 405 1st St SE, Little Falls, MN 56345
• Hutchinson, March 26th, Hutchinson Event Center, 1005 MN-15, Hutchinson, MN 55350
• Mankato, March 28th, Historic Blue Earth County Courthouse, 204 S 5th St, Mankato, MN 56001
• Worthington, April 2nd, Regional Extension Office, 1527 Prairie Dr
  Worthington MN 56187-5184
• Marshall, April 3rd, Merit Center, 1001 W Erie Rd, Marshall, MN 56258

Workshop registration: z.umn.edu/respiratorworkshops
Funding for workshops has been provided by the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health.

Questions: Contact Natalie Hoidal, Extension educator with Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education. hoida016@umn.edu.