Which of the following is NOT one of the operations during which pesticide exposure may occur?

Monitoring is not typically considered one of the operations during which pesticide exposure may occur. This is mainly because monitoring is a process aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a pest control strategy or tracking pest populations, rather than directly handling pesticides. During monitoring activities, individuals generally do not come into direct contact with pesticides, as their involvement mostly entails observations or data collection.

In contrast, transportation, mixing and loading, and application are all operations that involve direct interaction with pesticides. During transportation, individuals may handle containers that could be leaking or improperly sealed, leading to potential exposure. Mixing and loading require personnel to measure and combine pesticide formulations, which can result in spills or splashes, increasing the risk of exposure. Application involves the actual distribution of pesticides in a treated area, where the applicator is directly exposed to chemicals, underscoring the importance of protective equipment and safety protocols during these stages.