If a highly toxic pesticide spills on your skin, when is it safest to wash the exposed area?

Washing the exposed area immediately after a highly toxic pesticide spill is crucial for minimizing potential harm. Immediate action helps to reduce the absorption of the toxic substance into the skin, thereby decreasing the likelihood of serious health effects. The faster the contaminated skin is washed, the more effective the removal of harmful residues will be.

Delaying washing, even by a short period, increases the risk of the pesticide penetrating deeper into the skin, which can lead to more severe systemic effects. The other options suggest varying delays in washing that could compromise safety, as they imply a tolerance to leaving the pesticide on the skin, which is not advisable. Immediate washing is the best protective measure available in such situations.