Why is it essential to wash hands after handling pesticides?

Washing hands after handling pesticides is crucial primarily to prevent accidental ingestion and skin exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals. Pesticides can remain on the skin or under the nails even after handling, posing a significant risk of poisoning or adverse health effects if they enter the body through ingestion or skin absorption. Proper handwashing effectively removes any residues, significantly reducing the chance of exposure and ensuring safety for the individual.

While enhancing grip for future applications, preventing the transfer of pesticides to equipment, and keeping hands moisturized are considerations in a broader safety context, they do not address the immediate health risks associated with pesticide exposure as directly as the correct choice. The focus should always be on minimizing contact with hazardous substances to protect health and ensure safe pesticide use.