Which of the following practices is not recommended when cleaning spray equipment?

• A. Rinse equipment with a mixture of ammonia and chlorine bleach
• B. Thoroughly rinse equipment with a water-detergent solution
• C. Drain booms to remove all pesticide residues
• D. Clean the nozzles only to remove pesticide residues

Answer: (A)

Avoid mixing cleaning chemicals with each other. Rinsing equipment with a mixture of ammonia and chlorine bleach is not recommended because they react to form chloramines and chlorine gas, which can create dangerous fumes, irritate eyes and lungs, and potentially harm workers and equipment. Safe cleaning relies on thorough rinsing with a water-detergent solution and draining booms to remove residues, which physically remove pesticide residues and reduce contamination risk. Cleaning the nozzles is important, but remember to address all parts of the system so residues don’t linger and affect future applications.