MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Acute pesticide exposure may lead to which of the following?

1. Skin irritation only

2. Severe allergic reactions only

3. Multiple systemic symptoms

4. Long-term health effects only

The correct answer is: Multiple systemic symptoms

Acute pesticide exposure can lead to multiple systemic symptoms affecting various organ systems within the body. This is due to the way pesticides can enter the body—through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact—and their potential to have widespread effects beyond just local irritation or allergic reactions. Systemic symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, headaches, respiratory distress, and neurological effects depending on the specific chemical and dosage involved. While skin irritation and severe allergic reactions can certainly occur with acute exposure, they represent just a portion of the possible responses to such exposure. Similarly, long-term health effects are typically associated with chronic exposure rather than acute exposure. Therefore, the breadth of potential acute systemic symptoms makes the selected answer the most comprehensive and accurate representation of the consequences of acute pesticide exposure.