What is a notable hazard of emulsifiable concentrates (E, EC)?

Emulsifiable concentrates (E, EC) are formulations of pesticides that combine oil and water-soluble active ingredients, allowing them to mix well in water for application. One of the notable hazards associated with these formulations is their potential to easily penetrate biological membranes, such as skin. This means that when handling emulsifiable concentrates, there is a significant risk of dermal exposure, which can lead to systemic absorption of the active ingredients. This absorption can pose health risks to applicators and others in proximity during application.

While other options present aspects related to emulsifiable concentrates, they do not identify the critical hazard as explicitly as the ability to penetrate the skin does. For instance, agitation is typically required to maintain stability in emulsifiable concentrates, they can leave residues depending on the formulation and application conditions, and they may not necessarily present low mixing/loading hazards. Therefore, understanding the skin permeability characteristic of emulsifiable concentrates is essential for safe handling and application practices in pest management.