Pesticide Exposure to Florida Greenhouse Applicators

摘要

The exposure of pesticide applicators in a commercial greenhouse facility was assessed. Data were collected primarily from five handgunners and a tractor driver. The chemicals applied were fluvalinate, chlorpyrifos, ethazol, dicofol, captan, and chlorothalonil. Potential exposure was assessed with exposure pads placed outside all clothing of the applicator. Handwashes and air samples were also collected, as were pre- and post-exposure tank mixture samples. Pesticide penetration was measured with exposure pads placed inside protective clothing. Handgunner exposure increased fineness of the spray leaving the nozzle; the tractor driver was much less exposed than the handgunners. Ethazol penetrated Tyvek more than any other compound tested. It was found useful in the study to normalize all exposure assessments for spray rate.