According to EPA criteria, what type of respirator must you wear when applying liquid pesticide products from Toxicity Class I?

When applying liquid pesticide products classified as Toxicity Class I, it is essential to use a NIOSH-approved respirator that incorporates an organic vapor (OV) cartridge or canister along with a series prefilter (either N, R, P, or 100 series). This is crucial because Toxicity Class I pesticides are highly toxic, and adequate respiratory protection is necessary to prevent harmful exposure during application.

The inclusion of an organic vapor cartridge is particularly important since many pesticides can release harmful vapors that need to be filtered out to ensure the applicator's safety. The additional prefilter is important for protecting against solid and liquid particulates that may be present during the application process.

Other respirator types, such as self-contained breathing apparatuses or air-supplying respirators, are typically reserved for situations where there are hazardous atmospheres with very low oxygen levels or other extreme environments, rather than for standard pesticide application settings. Thus, the combination of an organic vapor cartridge along with a particulate filter matches the specific safety criteria recommended for handling the highly toxic substances found in Toxicity Class I pesticides.