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Published on: December 22, 2023
Dermal exposure and risk assessment of tebuconazole applicators in vineyards
Stefan Mandic-Rajcevic1, Federico Maria Rubino, Giorgio Vianello
1Department of Health Sciences of the University of Milan, International Centre for Rural Health of the San Paolo Hospital and Laboratory for Analytical Toxicology and Metabolomics (LaTMA). stefan.mandicrajcevic@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Models used in the pre-marketing evaluation do not cover all work scenarios and may over- or underestimate exposure.
Objectives:
Uncertainties present in the extrapolation from pre-marketing to the post-marketing warrant exposure and risk assessment in real-life working conditions.
Methods:
Seven vineyard pesticide applicators were followed for a total of 12 work-days. A data collection sheet was developed specifically for this study. Workers' body exposure, hands, and head exposure were measured. Tebuconazole was analyzed using LC-MS/MS.
Results:
Median potential and actual body exposures were 22.41 mg/kg and 0.49 mg/kg of active substance applied, respectively. The median protection factor provided by the coverall was 98% (range: 90-99%). Hand exposure was responsible for 61% of total actual exposure, and was reduced by more than 50% in workers using gloves. The German Model underestimated the exposure in one work-day, and grossly overestimated it in 3 work-days.
Conclusions:
High levels of potential body exposure were efficiently controlled by the cotton coverall. Use of personal protective devices, especially chemically-resistant gloves and head cover is the main determinant of skin protection. Field studies on pesticide exposure in real-life conditions and development of methods and tools for easier risk assessment are necessary to complement and confirm the risk assessment done in the authorization process.
