Related Experiment Videos
Estimating pirimicarb exposure to greenhouse workers using video imaging
B A Archibald1, K R Solomon, G R Stephenson
1Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Agricultural and Food Laboratory Services Branch, Guelph, Canada.
Summary
Greenhouse workers experienced pesticide exposure, primarily on hands and arms, despite no detectable air or urinary pirimicarb residues. The Video Imaging Technique to Assess Exposure (VITAE) quantified dermal exposure from chrysanthemum foliage.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Greenhouse workers face potential pesticide exposure.
- Pesticimicarb is used in chrysanthemum cultivation.
- Accurate exposure assessment is crucial for worker safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify dermal exposure of greenhouse workers to pirimicarb.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Video Imaging Technique to Assess Exposure (VITAE) in measuring pesticide deposition.
- To compare dermal exposure with air and biological monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Video Imaging Technique to Assess Exposure (VITAE) to track fluorescent tracer deposition on workers.
- Workers debudded chrysanthemum plants treated with pirimicarb and a tracer.
- Conducted air monitoring and biological assessment for pirimicarb residues.
Main Results:
- Tracer deposition on workers increased linearly over 4 hours of debudding.
- Hands and arms showed the highest deposition rates (42% and 20% of total exposure).
- No detectable pirimicarb residues were found in air samples or worker urine.
Conclusions:
- Dermal contact with treated foliage is a significant route of exposure for greenhouse workers.
- VITAE is effective in quantifying pesticide deposition on skin.
- Current air and biological monitoring may not fully capture dermal exposure risks.