What should you do if a pesticide has been ingested?

• A. Wait and see if symptoms appear before seeking help.
• B. Find the pesticide label and get medical help immediately; do not induce vomiting unless directed.
• C. Attempt to neutralize with milk.
• D. Induce vomiting immediately.

Answer: (B)

Ingestion of a pesticide is a medical emergency where the priority is to get professional help quickly and follow the product label exactly. The label includes the specific first aid steps for that chemical and tells you whether medical advice should be sought and what, if anything, you should do before help arrives. The key reason to choose this approach is that inducing vomiting can cause more harm—risking aspiration into the lungs or worsening caustic injury—and many products require specific medical treatment or antidotes that only professionals can provide. Therefore, you should call for medical help immediately and use the label as the guide, bringing the container or label with you so responders know the exact product and its ingredients. Do not attempt to neutralize with milk or other substances unless directed by a medical professional.