Exposure to methyl bromide during greenhouse fumigation on Crete, Greece

In agricultural areas where greenhouses and dwellings are intermixed, the general population as well as the professional applicators may be exposed to pesticides. In a field study on Crete, exposure to methyl bromide during soil fumigation was assessed. Exposure of applicators (both contractors and farmers) were measured with personal air sampling equipment. Environmental monitoring inside and outside greenhouses combined with meteo data formed the basis for calculating the exposure of the general population with a computer aided dispersion model. Exposure of contractors exceeded the TLV value. The safe limit for the general population living close to a fumigated greenhouse is also exceeded.