What does “personal protective equipment” (PPE) primarily do?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to create a barrier between the applicator and potentially hazardous materials, such as pesticides. The primary function of PPE is to safeguard the health and safety of individuals applying these substances by minimizing exposure. This is crucial because pesticides can pose significant health risks, including inhalation or skin absorption, which could lead to adverse health effects.

While enhancing the effectiveness of pesticide applications or improving the visibility of the applicator may have some merit in specific contexts, these are not the primary purposes of PPE. PPE is specifically aimed at health protection, prioritizing the physical safety of those who handle pesticides. Furthermore, increasing the efficacy of pesticides on target organisms pertains to the effectiveness of the pesticide itself rather than the safety measures taken by applicators.