SEDL / STP / STP989-EB / STP26325S

Exposure Measurements Concerning Protective Clothing in Agriculture

Batel, W
Director and scientist, Institute for Bio-System Engineering, Federal Agricultural Research Center, Braunschweig-Völkenrode,

Hinz, J
Director and scientist, Institute for Bio-System Engineering, Federal Agricultural Research Center, Braunschweig-Völkenrode,

Pages: 13    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

Risk assessments associated with the handling and spraying of pesticides are based on both exposure and toxicological data. The quality of this assessment depends, to a large degree, on the circumstances at the time of worker exposure. Therefore, in addition to field exposure measurements, it is important to develop both predictive methods for estimating worker exposures and for establishing the causal relationships between exposure and adverse health effects. Using data derived from both approaches, it is possible to estimate the degree of risk associated with various pesticide application scenarios and make recommendations for appropriate protective clothing. Actual field measurements can be used to test the suitability and effectiveness of protective clothing requirements. In this report, we describe the use of two protective clothing indicators: the penetration rate and water vapor permeability with respect to thermal comfort.