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Potential operator exposure to procymidone in greenhouses
E Capri1, R Alberici, C R Glass
1Istituto di Chimica Agraria ed Ambientale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29100 Piacenza, Italy.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|December 10, 1999
Summary
This study measured pesticide exposure for greenhouse workers in Italy. Findings suggest current models may overestimate or underestimate operator exposure, highlighting the need for region-specific risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- EU legislation mandates risk assessments for pesticide operator exposure.
- Existing exposure models lack sufficient data for greenhouse crops, especially in Southern Europe.
- Accurate exposure data is crucial for effective risk management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure potential dermal and inhalation exposure of operators in Italian greenhouses.
- To evaluate the accuracy of existing models in predicting operator exposure under specific agronomic conditions.
- To inform regulatory risk assessments for pesticide use in protected cultivation.
Main Methods:
- Two field trials conducted in Italian greenhouses.
- Whole-body passive dosimetry used to measure potential dermal exposure.
- Measurement of inhalation exposure and contamination on coveralls.
- Comparison of measured exposure data with predictions from a modified German model.
Main Results:
- Total potential dermal exposure ranged from 15.4 to 37.1 mL/h.
- Hands and lower coveralls showed the highest dermal contamination.
- Inhalation exposure was minimal, accounting for 0.05-0.07% of total exposure.
- The modified German model overestimated mixing/loading exposure but underestimated application exposure.
Conclusions:
- Current exposure models may be inadequate for Southern European greenhouse conditions.
- Region-specific data is essential for accurate pesticide risk assessments.
- Estimation coefficients for hand-held application may need revision for ornamental and horticultural crops in Mediterranean climates.